New Rules for Boats, TheAutumn Isles, The Fault, TheFreudian Slips @ RosemountHotel, (20/4/2007)

Wed 25th Apr, 2007 in Gig Reviews

Supporting an initiative to put together a website providing support for young people sounds like a pretty good reason to go out and watch some bands. Add that to the fact that it was a rather enticing lineup, and you too would be surprised at how small the crowd was for the Save the Children fundraiser show on Saturday night. There was last minute lineup change as Institut Polaire had to pull out due to drummer Russell Loasby falling ill, which might explain the crowd size if it weren’t for The Autumn Isles stepping in. Whatever their reasons for not coming, those who weren’t there certainly missed out.

Easing us into the evening was singer-songwriter Pippa Drysdale. Playing to a handful of people, she strummed her way through a set of folksy, bluesy songs, mostly about ex-boyfriends. Drysdale fits the mold of female, acoustic singer-songwriters perfectly, that is, enjoyable enough to listen to yet never really offering us anything to get excited about, a pleasant way to start your evening all the same.

From here the night seemed to split into two styles, the rockier sounds of The Freudian Slips and The Fault were up next as the indie-pop portion of things brought the night to a close. Stepping in to replace Faith in Plastics after they pulled out earlier in the week were The Freudian Slips, whose drummer wore the band’s influences on his sleeve, or rather his chest; with his Radiohead shirt speaking volumes. But their music could speak for itself. it’s catchy and interesting, and they back that up with a decent live show.

The Fault then started their set to a fairly empty room but managed to draw a few more faces inside. While they still seem to be finding their feet after recent lineup changes, The Fault always guarantee an energetic live show. While their older songs seemed to have lost some of their dynamic, their new material certainly gives us something to be excited about. Loud and catchy, with a little punk and a lot of rock; The Fault were definitely one of the night’s highlights.

Also sporting a different lineup to usual were The Autumn Isles with Malcolm Clark (The Sleepy Jackson) on drums for the night. They played us some catchy, well-written pop songs to while away the next half-hour. The kind of thing where you can’t help but tap your foot, or as some decided: dance. The small crowd inside decided it was time to utilise the open space in front of the stage, a trend that carried on even as the crowd finally moved inside for the night’s headliners.

New Rules for Boats played their first show with new member Dan Grant, and after apparently only five rehearsals, their sound was much less of a shambles than they claimed. Opening with single I’m Your Tenant we were reminded just what we love them for; catchy, energetic pop songs. New Rules for Boats have finished recording their debut album and have promised an EP/single to be released in June. While the new material seems to be taking them in a more serious direction, it’s tracks like Not Impressed and You’re Out off the All at Sea EP that get the crowd dancing. Anyone who was not impressed by their music couldn’t deny the style and energy they brought to the stage. They were the perfect nightcap for this evening celebrating all things good about pop and rock music, and not to mention a good cause! While the small crowd may have been disappointing for the Save the Children Cause, those who made it down certainly felt it had been worth it, and we look forward to any future initiatives from the Save the Children crew.