Children Collide @ Rocket Bar,(27/04/07)

Sun 29th Apr, 2007 in Gig Reviews

Rocket Bar regulars and Adelaide’s perennial indie-dance-scene support act Fire! Santa Rosa, Fire! started their short set in remarkably similar fashion to their Midnight Juggernauts support slot three days prior. With a slightly better sound mix but initially a smaller, tired crowd, the energy of room was ignited when they launched into crowd favourite This Burning Fever three songs in and more so when they closed their set with by far their best song, Hounds.

In the space of a year the FSRF guitar sound is crisper and sharper. The act have refined their trademark rhythm and chaos balanced by an indisputable melodic finesse, unbelievably addictive grooves and the natural finesse and charisma of frontman David Williams. Still… punters will remain divided as to whether cleaning up the sound would detract from the essence that is FSRF or whether it is the very obstacle preventing them from becoming one of Australia’s premier dance rock acts.

Hit the Jackpot were the second band on show at Rocket. Following up a lively set by popular Rocket regulars FSRF in front of their fans is a tough ask. Still, the set was tight, solid and listenable however largely unoriginal. In fact, part of one song sounded noticeably like an Interpol number. With patches of potential they were far from terrible but failed to establish any credible sound definition.

On their third trip of Adelaide and with their third drummer, Children Collide impressed both the regular Rocket Bar scene crew and their own small fan posse with their pacey and energetic set. Melding searing vocal hooks with piercing guitar tides, fashionably overdriven and warped with delays and what not the CC sound was underscored by a blend of driven disco and rock beats.

With a myriad of clear British, 80’s and grunge influences on for show the CC set, ably mixed by local sound guru Matt Hills, was relatively pacey, colliding intermiddent grunge tinged grooves with vinesesque psycaedelic guitarscapes. Towards the end of the set the vibe of the band was wearing off but this was in part due to the gradual repetitiveness of the sound and pace of the set. Whilst perhaps another band yet to realise their true sound and character, few who heard them would dispute this is an act with talent and potential.