FasterLouder Live @ Prince ofWales, Melbourne (26/07/2007)

Wed 1st Aug, 2007 in Gig Reviews

An icy, coastal squall blew across Fitzroy Street, sending a chill down the backs of punters heading for the Prince Bandroom. However, it wasn’t enough to dampen the undeterred promise of the first FasterLouder Live showcase, proudly sponsored by Slate. The bill, featuring the likes of Rocket Science , Children Collide , Shooting at Unarmed Men and Jarvis , ensured indie kids were in for a hot guitar-riddled feast of tunes and drinks, courtesy of FasterLouder and Slate. With enough power strums and stage energy to fire the blood, punters were in for one seriously sweaty evening to ignite the coldest of Melbourne wintery evenings.

Melbourne’s Jarvis were quick to resonate with punters early. Many keen early-starters lined the dance-floor for the band’s drum-driven sound. Right from the get go, guitars oscillated a resounding aural experience which hit the decibels at an avalanching speed. Jarvis’ sound immediately swept across the floor to get toes tapping and heads knodding. There were sing-along harmonies, paralleled with intricate power-riffs doused in grit and sweat. Cheers from the early crowd instigated the feeling that Jarvis are breaking through with reputable results.

More Melbourne gems, in the form of ex- mcclusky main-man Jon Chapple ’s Shooting At Unarmed Men, embraced the momentum of FasterLouder Live early, sending a raucously raw bottom-end groove spinning across the bandroom for the impressed crowd. Strong guitaring omitted a dirty and sexy stamina; a stomping impetus that catapulted screeching shout-out lyrics and the band’s natural stage fervour. Front row fans were rewarded with Shooting at Unarmed Men’s brooding accelerations and echoed the band with uncontained clapping and a persistently strong chorus of the band’s closer to an impressive set.

By the time Children Collide hit the stage, punters swarmed the Prince Bandroom in their herds. The crowd made a sterling effort to ensure the FasterLouder Live series kicked off with a bang and their commitment to local indie bands was commended. Such a stellar turnout also exemplified the quality of Australian underground talent and its healthy rise to equalise the many internationals that adorn our stages throughout the year.

Children Collide is one of those bands who can equalise, if not conquer, international heavyweights and proved their presence on the Australian music circuit has certainly turned heads and won hearts. With an atmospheric sound crossed between The Beatles and Nirvana , Children Collide have their foundations cemented in place in garage rock, while wanting to challenge their formidable influences to achieve something truly unique and inspiring. Something organic jumped right off the stage, followed by booming basslines and unrestrained energy to bring the crowd to its knees. Erratic and unpredictable, yet boisterous and engaging, Children Collide also sent new-found fans jumping from their couches and onto the dance-floor for a closer eye on the action.

The organ-rock antics of Melbourne headliners Rocket Science provided the essential sounds needed to wrap up an already successful evening of fun and tunes. Rocket Science are indeed all about rock, sending rolling keys coasting above punters’ heads while gravitated by raw-edged riffs and a thirst for garage-punk aesthetics. Fans were quick to douse their bodies in sweat, jumping and grooving to the band’s punk pop styling. There was an eager buzz in the air and Rocket Science brought it home for the fans to relish in.

Thanks to Rocket Science, not to mention the rest of the bill, FasterLouder Live for Melbourne exemplified the city’s flourishing scene and a real commitment to the country’s independent music community.