The Fault must be kicking themselves. As the closest equivalent Perth has to Bit by Bats, the four-piece were perfect choice as local support for the Melbourne band’s Go Go Go! launch gigs in WA. But due to the band’s recent lineup change, they’re still very much in the ironing-out-creases stage and seem held back by their new dynamic. Frontman James Rogers has lost the guitar and now assumes duties on bass, with Nick Barnett joining as guitarist. While Rogers has always oozed style behind the microphone, he doesn’t seem nearly so confident when holding down the bottom end and the band appear looser as a result.
Faith in Plastics, however, have gone the other way. After a couple of years as also-rans on the Perth pop-rock scene, they play a surprisingly good show. Due to some cruel twist of fate, the band enters to Razorlight’s Somewhere Else, and the similarities between the two bands are evident from the off. Not only does vocalist Adam James look and sound like Johnny Borrell; he’s got the stage presence to match. Guitarist Rhys Davies contributes most of what’s interesting about FIP but James contributes most of what’s fun. Twitching and fidgeting around behind the mic stand, James is an admirable reflection of Borrell, Pete Doherty and all the other post-Britpop icons NME wants us to love. But underneath all of that are some great hooks and strong melodies. Add to that the constant references to the Eagles’ win over Collingwood and you have a foolproof recipe for success.
With the Amplifier Bar fast becoming one of Perth’s favourite after-12 clubs, scores of punters show up early to avoid the midnight rush. And Sugar Army thrive on the growing crowds. Despite frontman Patrick McLaughlin’s impressive stature in the centre stage position, Ian Berney (bass) and Jamie Sher (drums) are the ones that stand out tonight. After a quickfire tour of Canada and New York with The Wednesday Society, their other band, something appears to have inspired the pair to sport a lot more facial hair than the usual. Sher’s new mo’ gives him a slightly sinister look that’s not unlike the music his band creates. Compared to the Sugar Army we’re used to, the hairier version is also a lot tighter and seems to have more drive and determination. Yes, this may have been a lucky strike and for every great gig there are probably many more averages ones but from all indications tonight, the success of Berney and Sher’s other band has raised the bar – and Sugar Army are well up for a challenge.
Luckily, Bit by Bats aren’t real Melbournians. Originally from Adelaide, they don’t seem to be bothered by the Eagles colours that seem to surround them. Vocalist Owen Eszeki leads the band through almost every track from Go Go Go!, the band’s debut album, seemingly oblivious to what’s going on around the venue. The crowd is a weird blend of the curious and those celebrating the resurrection of Our Lord by having a dance. It only takes a couple of songs before the dancefloor is full of moving bodies, which the BBB guys reflect more and more as the set goes on.
Dance the Dance is a mid-set highlight, and by the time it’s over the room is nicely filled but still with enough room to move around. The only downside here is that Bit by Bats are still held back by their limited catalogue, and during several tracks the trio seem to be going through the motions. But Bit by Bats going through the motions is still a damn sight better than most bands’ efforts and as Eszeki, along with Peter Gravestock (bass) and Ben Macklin (drums) approaches the business end of the set, things start to heat up. Radio hit All Night has most of the crowd singing along and, after one fan requesting Neon Flux all night, he gets his wish. After closing with In My Arms, during which the Robert Smith vocal comparisons seem well-and-truly justified, Eszeki offers a simple “goodnight” before he and his compatriots exit the stage. A tidy ending to a tidy performance; though this was no classic gig, it certainly proved that BBB have the goods both on record and on stage.
