The Vasco Era @ Spectrum (28/03/2007)

For all audiophiles, the greatest present you can be given on your birthday is the gift of music and I think this year’s present haul far exceeds those given to me in the past.

Upon arrival at 34 Oxford Street, I am given a CD- The Vasco Era’s When it first showed up promo. This is a song that is a fairly new addition to Vasco’s live set and one of my favourites. In fact, in anticipation of their debut album release (May 5) I had purchased the single off iTunes but an avid CD collector that I am, having a physical copy of the song is far superior to me than the digital age.

A rather early night (it is the middle of the week after all) and with no support, the band begin to play at 8.30pm and started the night quietly, one third of The Vasco Era (Sid) onstage playing a solo cover of Elvis’ Can’t Help Falling In Love... but then launched straight into their energetic performance playing the whole album “Oh we do like to be beside the seaside”- in the order the tracks are set out on the record. First up, the first single ( When It First Showed Up ), then… the pre-release track ( When We All Lost It ) and then… well the order of the CD is for you to find out when you purchase this great ferocious album.

A long awaited album even attracted former ‘Night Is Young’ tour mates eager to hear what The Vasco Era has developed into. Members of Theredsunband and Evermore spotted in the crowd and whilst the Perth contingent, The Panda Band were not present they do send their well wishes/ marriage proposals through the band’s MySpace.

With the set determined by the order of the record (and Sid not wanting to be too predictable to the industry in the know) did throw in a couple of random elements such as Kingswood (off their “Miles” EP), a Nirvana cover and then even asking the crowd for requests. Although that last part backfired on him as it had inspired a friend of mine to shout Happy Birthday which Sid attempted to play before announcing the last song The path less followed where the guys took their set down slow and steadily afterwards, ending surprisingly quiet to those not familiar to their recent gigs.

Those annoyed that the night ended so quickly after the guys gave them such a buzz, forgot all about it when the band sent them off with parting gifts in the form of a free t-shirt. These guys sure know how to keep surprising punters.