We Are the Emergency @Amplifier, Perth (10/12/11)

Mon 19th Dec, 2011 in Gig Reviews

Every person who walked through Amplifier’s doors on Saturday night put their hard earned cash toward a good cause; yes, to have a good time, but also to help a hardworking local band raise money to record a new EP.

Foxes, still a young band on the Perth scene, had the arduous task of opening up the night. It was a bit difficult to tell where one song ended and another began, rather it sounded like a few long continuous songs which took multiple progressions. One thing is certain, this band are not made for those with short attention spans. Those willing to unfurl their arms and really give this band a listen will find a lot to like. Although their songs sound hardcore, they are a bit more intricate than simple notes and rhythms with screaming over the top. At this stage they aren’t the best performers, with minimal stage banter and an abrupt finish, but these are aspects which can improve with more experience. Foxes are a band worth keeping an eye on.

In contrast to Foxes, Monuments played short, easily digestible, pop punk songs; which had a few people dancing from the get go. Unfortunately for the band, they did not do enough to hold the attention of many punters, who found sitting in the beer garden more interesting than watching the band.

Departing from the upbeat, happy tunes of the previous band, Mandalay Victory slapped punters in the face with aggressive, metalcore songs. Frontman Dane Warren tried his absolute best to involve the crowd. But the crowd remained standoffish; which resulted in him exclaiming “Holy shit you guys are quiet, I can hear your awkward conversations”. Perhaps the punters were trying to appreciate the new material which accounted for a large portion of their set. When their most popular song P.A.R.T. Why? Because I Gotta was played all inhibitions were lost, there were many attempted mic grabs, and one fan even sang an entire verse for the band.

The headlining band, We Are the Emergency, got into the festive spirit by wearing Santa costumes -bar Keyboardist Sophie Rodgers who sported an impressively large Christmas tie instead. The heat did not allow the costumes to stay on for long, vocalist Ryan Lake got rid of his piece by piece during the first song.
Whilst they are certainly not afraid to entertain and have fun on stage, they do take their music very seriously. The band play as a tight unit and create an incredible sound live. Ryan clearly bares his soul. He lets the music beast take over which makes him a very interesting character to watch.

We previewed new song, Splinters, which will presumably be featured on the next EP; It certainly attracted a reaction, but perhaps not the kind the band were looking for. Two punters got into a scuffle which saw Lake leap from the stage mid-song in attempt to break it up.
It’s Floating Wicker Propelled by Fire always attracts a phenomenal crowd response. If their Scrubs fandom was not apparent enough with the title of that song, they certainly made it clear by labelling the song as ‘Eagle’ on the set list (Yet another example of the band’s humour).
We Are the Emergency ripped through a cover of Electric Six’s Gay Bar before ending the night with their most popular song to date Oh Knees Don’t Bend the Other Way.

It is no surprise that We Are the Emergency have carved a name for themselves as one of Perth’s favourite live acts. They certainly left fans waiting in anticipation for new material.