Vasco Era, Papa Vs. Pretty,The Shiny Brights @ UniBar(26/11/11)

Mon 19th Dec, 2011 in Gig Reviews

The Adelaide UniBar played host to three distinctly different bands on Saturday night; the disco pop of The Shiny Brights, the soul-filled Papa Vs. Pretty, and the hollering Vasco Era.

The cavernous surrounds of the UniBar kept the rain outside as a handful of early arrivals bopped along to the playful pop delivered by Adelaide’s own The Shiny Brights. Antsy singer Wolfgang launched into a tip-toe fit during songs such as Blue Toes and Electric Tigerland. Many of the drum beats featured echoes of The Walkmen and We Are Scientists, with energy that is enviable. The coiffed band warmed up the otherwise rain-dampened crowd, who had now begin to wander toward the intimate stage.

As the crowd rushed forward we got a glimpse of the pocket rocket Thomas Rawle, dwarfed by the massive Guantanamo-inspired barrier that had been assembled in front of the stage. Angus and Tom took to the stage soon after and began with their well known radio hits Wrecking Ball and Heavy Harm. One could be forgiven for thinking that the three members of Papa Vs. Pretty are brothers – what with the floppy brown hair and youthful faces. Banter such as asking who is coming to Falls Festival, and stating how pleased they were at how many people turned up at the gig made the punters feel warm and fuzzy.

Tinges of early Nirvana could be heard in newer stuff such as One of the Animals, the guttural bass inviting rabid dancing from the crowd. After Thomas leapt across the drum kit, the Sydney-siders lapped up their ample applause, leaving the room buzzing with energy. Definite talent to watch.

Some recent Incubus tunes gave way to the perpetually-disheveled Vasco Era, as Sid asked “What’s everyone up to later? Rocket Bar?”, Stratocaster slung over one shoulder. The thumping Honeybee gathered pace as the crowd turned into one mass of slow moshing bodies, while Ted fluttered his eyelids during the mental bass break. The bass eventually dropped out at the end of the song, so the band turned to an impromptu Blue Heelers theme song interlude. Nice.

New single (with the brilliantly-odd film clip) Rock and Roll Is the Only Thing That Makes Me Feel Good met with a great reaction, with Sid swigging from a bottle of Jamesons for good measure.

After a quick Lego vs. Leggo pronunciation argument, When You Went was set upon the room, slide guitar brought to you by a Cooper’s Pale bottle. By this stage shouts from the audience were requesting a bunch of singles off ‘Lucille’, so Sid asked what people wanted to hear him play solo. Deciding against the Wu Tang requests, he launched into his heart wrenching Can’t Help Falling in Love With You cover, which would even make the smouldering King himself blush. The moment was short-lived as the pounding Child Bearing Hips perforated the silence, inciting the crowd to shout back.

Ted announced that ”...reviews always say that Sid is off his head, but that’s just in Adelaide! Not that there’s any difference when he isn’t anyway”, which was met with cheers. The big ballad-styles of Oh Sam! blended into the all-out-rock of When It First Showed Up, which was where the barrier came in handy again.

The hollers of the brilliant I Am The Chosen Vessel eventually brought the Papa Vs. Pretty trio on stage, beginning an epic rendition of Hendrix’s Voodoo Child. A floor tom was brought forward, drum sticks were everywhere, and then a sound guy on crutches even joined in! While not quite the chaos of the last show at Jive with the stage invasion, seven people thrashing and bashing on such a confined stage was a sight to behold. What a grand tour ending for a equally grand pairing of headliners.