In humble Fortitude Valley venue The Zoo, a small crowd of The Black Arts and Black Mustang enthusiasts greeted the opening act of the night, The Warm Guns with polite support. These girls are cute, and peppy, and know how to play their instruments. But the night was still young, and the first couple of songs were not choice for kicking off the set list. New Song was their third song and definitely had a bit more edge, but overall whiny vocals and a very tame stage presence took away from the act. Those who already carried prejudices against so called “chick bands” (granted, their drummer is the very male Stu), would likely have such prejudices reaffirmed upon listening to the Warm Guns play live. However, their songs were bright, spunky and quite catchy, and with a little more confidence they could go a fair way.

The Black Arts drew more of a crowd away from the pool tables and towards the front of the stage, and really got the job done as far as revving them up. These guys really know how to orchestrate a stunning fusion of pop, old school rock, reggae and a bit of funk. Donning a hippie bandanna and sporting a cute beatnik goatee, lead singer Channel J took the audience on a journey with his endearing vocals, and really shone in crowd favourite, War on Hurricanes.

Money in the Bank was full of energy and another crowd favourite. The beats in almost all songs were most definitely danceable; just ask the forty-something year old midriff baring woman right in front of the stage shaking her booty like it was nobody’s business. The Black Arts simply know how to have infectious, silly fun onstage.

After much anticipation, the band who pretty much owned the night took the stage. Black Mustang, who were launching their EP tonight burst into their set with dirty old guitar licks and drum beats tighter than a street walker’s miniskirt.

The boys have mentioned in interviews that they all have creative input into the music created, and just listening to songs such as Little Box and Jimmy, one can hear the vast range of musical influences. And with all members sharing the vocals, no two songs sounded the same.

Black Mustang are an incredibly talented bunch who bring back the rock and roll sounds of the past into the twenty-first century without being too lame or coming across as “try-hards”. I will definitely be keeping an eye on them.