You Am I, The Spazzy's,Straight To Video @ HQ,Adelaide, (10/11/06)

Thu 16th Nov, 2006 in Gig Reviews

“Who are they, these rock stars?”

You Am I hardly need any explanation and this live experience was right up with the best of them. With a line up that included The Spazzy’s and up and comers Straight To Video, the stage was set for a big night.

Walking in at around nine o’clock I was astonished to see that there would have been lucky to be fifty punters in sight. Straight To Video were really into it and going for gold despite a very luke warm reception. The Spazzy’s suffered the same fate with no one taking any interest in them at all. Their set was a mix of old and new and the expressions on their faces told a thousand words. It got to the point where Kat Spazzy kept mentioning that she could see her shadow on the floor and requested the house lights be turned up so she could see if there was anyone out there.

In the break leading up to You Am I a few extra punters came through the doors but it was hardly a ground surge by any stretch of the imagination. Nevertheless, it was still a pretty poor turn out for Australia’s best live band. Smack bang on eleven the intro music blasted through the PA and the Timmy, Davey, Andy and Rusty strode to the stage with a real sense of purpose. Right from the kick off, they were on the money with Crash.

Tim’s first comment was about the sparseness in the venue was something that we should all lap up because that doesn’t happen all that often. He also made the reference to the punters who were summoned here as being “the elite” and a “rare breed” acknowledging the die hards who turn up at every gig. The next four songs that followed haven’t featured on the set list for quite some with Whatcha Doin’ To Me going down like premium vintage, Plans was like icing on the cake and Moon Shines On Trubble had me screaming like a school girl. In the whole time of following this band I have never heard or seen them play this one since 1997.

For the two hundred or so punters this was one of their finest shows dusting off a lot of other classics from the back catalogue. Combined with trademark Tim Rogers banter to nullify the hecklers I’m still stuck for words to describe the brilliance of the occasion. Cream And The Crock, Judge Roy, Wally Raffles, Baby Clothes, Junk and Billy were all given a fresh leash of life.

Convicts were given a good working over with Be My Own Hand, Gunslingers, Friend’s Like You and It Ain’t Funny How We Don’t Talk Anyone slotting in just nicely with the classics. There was a rare Tim Rogers solo moment in the set (also referred to as Gay Tim) where the trusty acoustic was brought out for Gray and Arse Kickin’ Lady From The Northwest. Ordinary was on the set list but Tim wanted to get the boys back to rock out the rest of the set. The cover by The Damned New Rose was an absolute cracker take on an awesome song. Thank God I’ve Hit The Bottom and Applecross Wing Commander closed out what was a night I won’t forget for sometime.

Unfortunately, the night had to end and the shows from other bands I have seen since have paled in to insignificance. I’m hanging out for the Big Day Out and The Clipsal 500 which all seem all to far away.

You Am I Photo Gallery