The Seclusion EP launch bought a legion of followers from the Central Coast ready to cheer on the first act, One Jonathon. It has been a while since I’ve seen an act with such enthusiasm and promise. They bought the warmth from the coast and played a bevy of feel good songs, ‘Too Sly’ was a great opener, ‘Take My Time’ – an exciting little number; and the finale, ‘Mango/Tango’ – a piece that got the girls wiggling and jiggling on the dance floor.
The following act was a rapper called Ryan whose politically themed set won the audience’s attention. I initially thought his act was a filler but was surprised at the saviness of his material. Unfortunately this skill was short lived as toward the end his act mimicked Eminem and lost its effervescence.
Red Ghost was done in the same vein. A cute soloist strumming away on the guitar who had an ethereal feel to her music but lacked excitement and soon enough all the songs sounded the same, dull. Provided the tempo was diverse, the act could have been spruced.
The raison d’etre was upon us with Seclusion and the launch of their EP Incarnations. They were well worth the wait!
Their first song ‘Your Attention’ did just that, with singer Joel King immediately drawing our attention by throwing himself into the lyrics and hacking away at the guitar. The audience were attuned to his theatrics and this provided for lively interaction. Undertones of the grunge age surfaced, yet Seclusion is a law onto themselves with a commanding presence and energetic performance.
Joel’s guitar solos were a nice touch to an already impressive presence and song list. Joel Berben on Bass was sturdy and drummer Bradley Patison did a great drum solo that had us all equally enthused. Not in the John Bonham league just yet, nevertheless youth and commitment are on his side.
Songs ‘Say What You Mean’, said Seclusion came, ‘All But Over’- they had seen and ‘Define Love’ – that they had conquered!
Seclusion is a band worth weathering a storm and forging out into the elements for!
