The contrast between what was played on the venue’s sound system and tonight’s live bands could not have been more extreme. The soulful strains of Stevie Wonder punctuated each break in proceedings – perhaps a ploy to calm the crowd between shifts. News must have travelled fast that Indonesian rockers The S-I-G-I-T (Super Insurgent Group Of Intemperance Talent) had the 9pm support honours and curiosity was a drawcard for early birds. The son of the Indonesian president is a fan and helped get the band to Australia for their first overseas tour – friends in high places! The promise of an extra day off work (God Save the Queen!) added electricity to expectation and it was rumoured an encore gig by our Javanese guests was scheduled at Pony for the wee hours of Lizzie’s birthday.
The S-I-G-I-T strutted onto the stage exuding attitude, primed for their debut international tour. Adit (the bassplayer) was channelling Andrew Stockdale ’s style, and the other three members modelled T-shirts displaying their influences; Rekti (vox/ guitar) – Queen , perhaps in honour of Her Royal Highness rather than a nod to the band, Farri (vox/ guitar) – David Bowie , Acil (drums) – The Clash . What a mixed bag! Not random enough to be classified as punk, their tight, catchy sounds reveal traces of acknowledged influences Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple .
Like a racehorse bolting from its stall, a solo dance enthusiast propelled around the floor in a blur of uncoordinated Cossack steps. I think he was with the band, was this the Indonesian president’s son? Having spotted him earlier sculling stubbies in one gulp, observers kept their distance. He covered a lot of ground and was sole custodian of the entire dancefloor during this set. With song titles like ‘Black Amplifier’ and ‘Gaby Is A ‘Ho’ you would be unable to guess this band’s nationality with your eyes shut. I would hasten to suggest they’ve dissected Wolfmother ’s material but they’re not easy to pigeon-hole. Impressive versatility was demonstrated and one lyric that leapt out at me sounded like “Tryin’ ta look cool while you’re standing on a street sign” (from ‘Gaby Is A ‘Ho’).
“We’re really glad to be here, it’s nice! I think I’m gonna come back later,” Rekti enthused. He stepped up on the drum platform in the final stages of their closer before jumping off to play the last thrashing chords. Acil seemed to break a cymbal which was replaced as soon as the band left the stage. Asking a bartender what he thought of The S-I-G-I-T elicited a glowing report – he’d be heading to Pony after work for a repeat performance.
I stuck around for 67 Special and started shuffling my feet from the safety of a step, elevated above the aforementioned spinning-top’s turf. Charismatic frontman Ash Santilla is suave but crazy in a Jim Morrison kind of way. He spouted a mouthful of beer into the air and managed to drench every instrument onstage. You would have sworn “a pocket full of killer bees” agitated each crowd member as they thrashed about. New single ‘Killer Bees’ is a killer tune and more bands should sweat it out in body-shirts!
The energy and commitment each member of this five-piece brings to live performance is mental. Louis Macklin smashed the keys in similar fashion to Paul Mac and the skills of guitarist Gavin Campbell are undeniable. His face-melting, extended guitar solo gave us a chance to bask in his glory. Due for August release, 67 Special’s forthcoming album The Devil May Care was recorded with U.S producer Jacquire King ( Modest Mouse , Kings Of Leon , Tom Waits ) – bound to knock us senseless. A previous engagement made it necessary for me to leave before Dallas Crane hit the stage but this gig felt somehow complete. As I departed the venue I felt as if I’d already witnessed two headline acts.
