The crowd appeared early for the gig at the East Brunswick club, including the tie-died catsuit wearing young-un with the out there look of an acid casualty. In fact he is the exact doppelganger of an older gent that turns up for the doom gigs a lot. Stripey black and white wool sleeves and a singlet combo also stood out from the pack of surprisingly (thankfully) few smelly woollen jumpers and velvet jackets. These were the folk that came to see the support act, The Devoted Few, apparently a 5 year old Sydney mainstay with their sights firmly set on mediocrity. Think Youth Group wanabees with power ballads and the sort of structure to their songs you can set your watch by. Some credibility, or humanity, bubbled up in these bored minstrels when on their JJJ rotated song they managed to find the pedals and make some unexpected churning feedback. Highlights, in a po-mo ironic way, were the sensitive red-dyed-bouffant-ed lead singer’s ‘freak out’ during one of their tunes where he danced like he was carrying a 2×4, comedy gold.

Before we could even begin to wonder what the genius that put these two bands together was thinking the Fiery Furnaces’ Friedburger siblings appear through the front door of the venue, make their way to the merch table and check out the stock. They push and squeeze past the gathered mass toward the stage where their equipment waits for their attention. As do we, and for the first time I notice there is no piano. Accompanying the Fierys is a guy from Sebadoh on Bass and a drummer that could easily be mistaken for Beaker from the Muppets, but he can play. “Andrew (at the mixing desk), can we turn it up please? Lets start a party” says Matt through the microphone and his styled helmet mop after playing the opener Chris Michaels. It’s all different live, there’s no languid cabaret element and the guitars and drums sound give their melodies a rock-pop feel (dare I say reminiscent of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, not in a terrible way). Pensive Eleanor seems like a cat on an electric chair, she nods as she begins every verse and changes guitars almost every song, she leans into the microphone and shakes. She is tense. She has a cold, she says and apologises for that. It’s unnecessary and the expression of apologetics falls flat. The crowd temporarily feels uncomfortable. Thoughts of throwing a Sudafed or Butter Menthol undoubtedly enter the gathered minds. Such is the nature of rock ‘n roll that the singer doesn’t simply smoke up and forget about their physical blues, G.G Allin would have neatly taken a crap in the centre of the venue and applied it to his chest to feel better.

They can’t all be like G.G, and this crowd wouldn’t knowingly pay for the risk of being in the line of fire. They are mostly mid 20s and early 30s, glasses wearing sensible types. Doing the dancer spotting game, we unearth about 7 scattered around in the half full hall with the spirit of Fandango but by no means is the East Brunswick Club conflagrated. “Whats happening guys? You don’t seem to be enjoying yourselves” asks Eleanor, feeling underappreciated. At this the crowd summons up the courage to appreciate openly the group they have been waiting to see all this time, some even cheer longer that nine seconds. They were bullied into it though, and it seems hollow. No-one likes a compliment they have to ask for.

Eleanor begins to announce the tunes as they play. Benton Harbour Blues, and I’m In No Mood pass by and with that the Fiery’s + Sebadoh bassist slink off to the back room for a sit town and presumably a cup of lemon tea for Eleanor’s ailing health. Too soon for Beaker the drummer, who is at the bar, Matt re-appears with the band and says “we’re going to play some more songs for you guys because we’re not sure when we’ll be back here.” And they do, sans drummer as the bar girl with the silver hairdo struggles with a bottle cap. All eyes are on him while he makes his way back to the stage, the trio make the noises and Beaker hits in seamlessly, the noodling becomes a tune and forms part of an encore that lasts at least 6 songs. They show a very professional appreciation for the crowd’s quiet support, even taking requests. The Fiery Furnaces may not be back here soon, but they play on the soundtrack to our imaginations evermore.

Songs in no particular order:
Quay Ker
Blueberry Boat
Tropical Ice-land
Single Again
Straight Street
I’m In No Mood
Benton Harbour Blues
Waiting to Know You
Black Hearted Boy
Bitter Tea
Teach Me Sweetheart
Bunch of stuff from Gallowsbird’s Bark

Encore:
My dog was lost but now he’s found
Plus more!