One is a raw rock’n’roll three piece, just drums, a guitar, vocals and dancing. The other plays emotional heartfelt rock, baring their souls for all to see. Ordinarily these two bands would probably be rumbling against one another, but instead, labelmates The Grates and Expatriate are heading off on tour together. They kicked off the tour with a sold out show at The Rev in Brisbane and it was one corker of a night.
A good sized crowd is on hand as local rocksters I Heart Hiroshima open proceedings, and although they like to be called pop rock, tonight’s set is all about the rock and roll, aided by the Rev’s soundsystem which exemplifies power over depth. The three piece race through song after song, some of which are included on their demo EP, Three Letter Word For Candy, of which they give away free copies after the set. Drummer Susie Patten is as theatrical and energetic as ever, and co-guitarist/vocalists Mel Ralph and Matt Somers provide some excellent guitar work, even if the vocals are a little subdued. By the time they’re finished, the venue is full, and the group gets a hearty round of applause as they exit.
Expatriate are up next, and they’re welcomed on stage by an appreciative crowd. They open with a new song, and they follow that up with The Spaces Between, their big radio hit. Other songs from their Lovers Le Strange EP follow, including Get Out, Give In and Killer Kat. Expatriate’s recorded material is a well produced and layered sound, but the sound system of The Rev isn’t quite capable of producing the same sound. As if to make up that, however, Expatriate up the ante on the rock front. Tonight’s renditions are higher tempo and with louder guitars. Ben King’s vocals still ring true, and the crowd, which is very much in a dance-rock mood, cheer loudly for every song, even the ones they might not know so well.
The Grates have been selling out shows for a great many months now, a rare accomplishment for a band with only one four track EP (Ouch The Touch) to their name. But their live reputation is well earned, as they stole the show at this year’s Splendour In The Grass festival. They take the stage, all three of them grinning from ear to ear at their rapturous welcome. Right from the start lead singer Patience, the rock and roll pixie, is dancing and singing in her distinctive way, using the full area of the stage to good effect. EP tracks Message, Wash Me and Trampoline are obvious highlights, but the band are putting the finishing touches on their debut album, and the band really gets into the new songs as well. The band even engages the crowd in a singalong of traditional high school sporting carnival anthem Everywhere We Go, and the audience participates at full volume.
After a short break, the band return with Sukkafish and a new song to finish the set. Having finished for the night, the crowd makes its way out into the night, their appetite for raw rock and roll with a light hearted touch well and truly sated. The soon to be released album should definitely have found a few new fans tonight.
