You Am I @ Panthers, Newcastle(01/07/06)

Wed 5th Jul, 2006 in Gig Reviews

Newcastle’s King Street was alive with expectation on this chilly winter night. The punters were out to see the modern icons of rock n roll, You Am I, at Newcastle’s ex-Worker’s club. Lead by alcohol soaked, leather faced Tim Rogers, this band are a watermark in Australian music. Whoever put the bill together was a genius. You Am I was at the place it deserves, the top of the bill. Second was the most recent big thing, The Drones. The Vasco Era received third place playing with these two experienced acts.

Halfway through the Vasco Era’s set the guys were struggling. Sid was mumbling through a long-winded anecdote and the crowd didn’t know what to make of the slide guitar on his lap. Thankfully he shut up and just got on with his old school blues’ act. Everyone was stunned by his toms action, if you’ve never seen it, halfway through a song Syd will stand up and pound these small plastic toms with a cheeky look on his face. In the words of a concert goer, ‘When old mate plays the guitar on his lap and then cuts sick on the drums, that’s mad man!’

The Drones came on next, and did their Australian Music Prize award winning thing. Fiona is a stone fox on bass, holding it all together while hearts break for Gareth in front. They brought the punters to the front of the stage and whetted appetites for You Am I.

In the interim, the topic of conversation in the nosebleed section was You Am I’s front man Tim Rogers. Boys and girls alike are stunned by his star power. In December Tim Rogers did a Newcastle show with the Temperance Union. After the gig he brought his acoustic guitar out and played for the five people still in the bar. Apparently the last time You Am I came to Newcastle, they played a bigger venue for half the ticket price, but the atmosphere was flat as a tack. Tonight’s vibe was electric; the sweat drenched crowd were calling for the action to start.

The boys blazed on. ‘It’s great to be in our spiritual home of Newcastle,’ Tim called from the stage. They started with material from their latest record, Convicts. The punters sung along to old and new songs alike. ‘Aint It Funny How We Don’t Talk Anymore’ was a highlight due to the energetic duet action between Tim and Davey. After a few massive tunes, the rest of the band lost the stage and Tim sang ‘Damage’ on his lonesome.

Timmy was in a chatty mood, telling everyone how stoked he was at the warm reception and he sent out a warning to punk kids who spend too much time on their hair. Near the end of the gig he ripped his soaked shirt off and continued with his tats showing and skin gleaming.  

The boys all had so much energy you’d think they were still teenagers but they’re veterans of the Australian music scene. From the performance they gave on Saturday night, you can only say that they’ll be around for a few more years yet.