The Valentinos @ Club 77,Sydney (18/08/06)

Mon 21st Aug, 2006 in Gig Reviews

The Valentinos have received high rotation airplay on Triple J for ‘A Man with a Gun’ and built a reputation for energetic and surprising shows. To release their new EP Damn and Damn Again they’re touring nationally, starting with a show at Sydney’s Club 77.

Descending the stairs into the dark venue, a haze of smoke hits punters full in the face. The stage was framed by glow sticks, which created an eerie radiance in the gloom. The guys on the merch stand were distributing Valentino stickers to excitable young women in second hand dresses and stockings as they waited for the first of many support acts. 

The first band on for the evening was Melbourne group, The Dardenelles. They started with a tight song reminiscent of Joy Division and Bloc Party. As their set continued the songs became repetitive, but were performed with confidence. 

The Young and Restless were on next. This act is fronted by a delicate girl who transforms into a wailing rock star on stage. Her wails put Steve Tyler to shame. These guys have so much passion and anger you’d think they use their music to fight against the oppressive nature of the person domineering their life. Well, they are from Indonesia and Canberra. Their act brought people out from the dark corners and they gathered around the ‘stage’, or more accurately, the space on the floor where the bands performed. From this point, the ability to see the band and move through the crowd diminished dramatically.

Johnny Boy from the UK was next. It’s a little unusual for a band that hasn’t released an album to have an international support, but the Valentinos are known for their confidence. Johnny Boy’s song ‘You are the Generation Who Brought More Shoes and You Get What You Deserve’ has stood out from the buzz on Triple J due to its saccharine sweet aesthetic reminiscent of Broadcast or a quieter Go Team. There was an expectation of something innovative. They started their first song, but instead of being something interesting and sweet, it was just an indie rock tune. It wasn’t bad, but it was just the same as any band you’d get on a Thursday night at a live venue in Sydney. They did play their hot tune about shoes and getting what you deserve, and finished with a fun cover of ‘Sheena is a Punk Rocker’.

Bang Gang started their set, and the small space diminished further due to the explosion of elbows and knees, which indicated dancing. They laid down some awesome anthems and mash ups, including a combination of Smashing Pumpkins ‘Zero’ and some Japanese electronic track.

The Valentinos began with a new track ‘Rain’. It’s a little more dramatic and less action packed than the material on their first EP. They then quickly moved into their very familiar material of ‘Man with a Gun’ and ‘CCTV’. Only the first row could really see the show, but we could all hear the bass line. And the drums. And the vocals to some extent. But the sound didn’t come together as a cohesive unit until they played an intriguing instrumental number. Their new material is more dramatic than their first EP, but you’ll really have to get the CD if you want to be able to hear it all note for note.

At this gig the Valentinos were in danger of being eclipsed by their support acts, and they didn’t really deliver great sounds, but it was a fun night that felt like a mix between a house party and school dance.