The Fauves @ Hopetoun Hotel,Sydney (17/08/06)

Sun 20th Aug, 2006 in Gig Reviews

The Fauves inhabit a unique genre of Aussie rock – appealing slacker cool political and social satire with stylised wit… Err, basically they’re the opposite of wankers like those lads from Jet.

The Fauves played their first of two consecutive nights at the cosy Hopetoun Hotel. And an unexpected bonus, The Fauves became their own support band after one of the support bands pulled out. That meant lucky fans were treated to two sets. Fantastic! The first set lasted about 45 minutes, and after a 10 minute break, there was a second hour long set.

Andrew Cox (guitar, vocals) was in typically witty form, with banter between fellow members Phil Leonard (guitar, vocals), Tim Cleaver (bass, vocals) and Adam Newey (drums) always entertaining.

But it was all about the rock, and The Fauves never disappoint. With 18 years worth of quality material, The Fauves again tonight proved they are simply one of the finest and most entertaining acts in the country.

The fan-fucken-tastic new CD Nervous Flashlights was well covered, with the toe-tapping ‘True Love Waits’ and ‘I Am Not Approachable’. The epic ‘Actress and Bishop/David Coverdale’ was a definite highlight of the night, along with the single-worthy ‘I’m Jim Fix And I’m Dead Now’.

A scorching ‘Long Load’ was greeted with enthusiasm, along with the likes of ‘Right Wing Fags’, ‘Chaos And Dance’, and ‘Going For My Blue Belt’. And what about ‘Hot Nairobi Nights’ – shit hot Aussie Rock!

Even when The Fauves slowed it down, they were still on fire. ‘Every TV Star Has A Dark Side’ and ’First Day On The Run’ were relaxing and groovy, a real treat.

The ever-popular ‘Medium Pacer’ was a wall of sonic intensity that had several fans dancing and spilling drinks in an orgy of arse-shaking boogie.

After a night of delicious Aussie rock, The Fauves wrapped it up with the new single ‘I’ll Work When I’m Dead’, and fan fave ‘Dogs Are The Best People’. Such as awesome night of rock set the scene for a huge Friday show.

Unfortunately, Friday night’s gig sold out very early, so dozens of fans were turned away. One can only hope that our friends at venues like the Annandale Hotel pick up on this so we can all see The Fauves at a larger venue on a Saturday night without missing out.