Out To Dinner #2: Kill DevilHills, Adam Said Galore, TheVolcanics, End of Fashion @Hyde Park Hotel Lounge Bar,27/06/04

Fri 2nd Jul, 2004 in Gig Reviews

RTRfm is Perth’s largest independent community radio station that ismainly dedicated to the local music scene. Each year, RTRfm hosts a number of events in order to raise funds to keep the station up and running as membership based funding is not enough.

Tonight saw RTRfm hold its second edition of ‘Out To Dinner’ held at the Hyde Park Hotel Lounge Bar where four local bands were invited to play. These bands being Kill Devil Hills, Adam Said Galore, The Volcanics and End Of Fashion.

Kill Devil Hills are a band of multitalented, multi-instrumentalists. With instruments in use such as violin, clarinet, keyboards, half a drum kit and guitars (electric and acoustic), the sound produced is extraordinary. Sounding much like an old Scottish country band, Kill Devil Hills’ music is different, inspiring and worth seeing at least once, if only to experience them live.

Adam Said Galore produces a remarkable sound for only being a three piece. Being of a lo-fi, experimental nature with the use of an E-bow and digital effects (guitar), Adam Said Galore are a sight and definitely worth checking out. Preferring this to be taken as a compliment, Adam Said Galore can put one to sleep quite calmly but then burst out of the silence and can scare you out of your wits. Quite remarkable and intriguing was their performance this night; my feet did not stop tapping.

The Volcanics are more of a dirty rock type band and need to scrub up a bit more (or rather, down) to be considered in this reviewer’s ears as good. Throughout the set the vocals weren’t enticing enough to allow for pleasure of any sort to be experienced. However, the vocals did improve toward the end of the set. Other than that, there were no gripes by oneself in terms of music, as it did seemingly remain dirty and rocky.

Although End Of Fashion are becoming better known in the commercial stream of radio etc, there still weren’t many people through the doors to experience them or the other bands which put a bit of a dampener on the night for oneself. Either way, End Of Fashion performed an almost flawless set and although they’re pop rock, they’re still talented and remain a good band. Struggling with lack of energy, a flu and some stolen gear, End Of Fashion performed a magical set and turned this reviewer into a fan of pop rock (and that is a hard feat to accomplish by any means).

Overall, RTRfm organised a fantastic fundraiser, the bands performed well considering and even though a local band is becoming popular, the members still remain well grounded (in more ways than one).