Jonathan Boulet, Cabins, The Crooked Fiddle Band @ The Standard, Darlinghurst (21/10/2011)
The first act onstage, The Crooked Fiddle Band brought a massive amount of energy, fun and hellish vigour to their set as they launched into their first tune ‘The Milkman’. Their brand of music has been described as Metal, Celtic Folk, Rock and Blues; it comes out swinging, belts you about and sets you back down in a happily groggy state. The Rastafarian rhythm, pumped through frantically paced strings (cello and violin) and heavy riffs instantly turned the floor into a frenzied hoe down, amped up by enthusiastic yee-haws and wails from the band.
The band’s repertoire is mainly instrumental. ‘Over Hill and Under Hill’ has a traditional Celtic and folk influence to it; whilst ‘Clockwork Woman’ had funk undertones, hidden amongst a twangy overlaid melody created by a bouzouki, a stringed Greek instrument. It was definitely a highlight watching guitarist Gordon Wallace shred a bouzouki like there was no tomorrow. The set ended with the crowd busting some impressive mosh / river dance combos.
The second support out were Cabins, with a completely different style, they brought a more seductive and sombre mood with them. Cabins struck me as old school rock n roll mixed with bluesy riffs, the occasional southern style twang and sexy grating vocals. Lead singer Leroy Bressington has a deep lazy drawl reminiscent of Julian Casablanca’s or Bob Dylan, he definitely brought swoon factor to the band.
Cabins opened with a stormy number ‘Hounds’ a mix of rumbling drum beats, blues licks and harmonised vocals. ‘Oceanic Blues’ has a real southern feel to it, reflected in the lyrics and the melodic twang of the guitar. ‘Foes and Thieves’ a rocky number with crashing cymbals and wailing reverb was then followed by a special treat of a really well done and well suited cover of ‘Never known a girl like you before’ by The Kinks, that the crowd happily crooned and writhed along to.
At this point the Standard has slowly filled up and the crowd eagerly pushes forward in anticipation of the main event. Jonathan Boulet has been keeping himself busy, this one night only show includes a preview some of his new material and it also seems that he’s sporting a new look. The thicket of facial hair inhabiting his face doesn’t hide his youthful antics, as he opens with lyrics ‘oh my god you’re a dick, find the reasons to stay the same, what a waste’.
‘3 2 1 Ready or Not’ gets the crowd moving with its uplifting lyrics and electro indie pop goodness. As the band launch into ‘Ones Who Fly Twos Who Die’, the reaction is electric. I must say this was a performance highlight for me, the pounding jungle rhythm combined with perfectly harmonised vocals, lifted this track to a transcendental level and left us all dancing like crazed lunatics.
Boulet announces the next track is a new song off his album coming out next year and delves into angst ridden lyrics ‘I do what I’m told, I just don’t know anything, I’m not in control of myself’. The driving rhythm and rocky edge to the music go down well and starts a round robin of on beat, off beat clapping. The following song encourages ritual chanting in the room in time to a steady drum, and seems a little Noah’s Ark inspired with lyrics like ‘We’re calling out your name friend, we’re calling two by two/ three by three / four by four’.
‘A Community Service Announcement’ had everybody singing and foot stomping along whilst the intro to ‘North to South East to You’ with its chilled out beach feel cooled the room back down. I must admit the only dampeners to the performances on the night were some minor mishaps with sound cutting out and the occasional feedback, which were handled quite gracefully by all performers.
In excellent form Boulet finishes us off with ‘You’re A Animal’. As he enthusiastically flips us the bird and screams at us that we are all animals, I can’t help but laugh, after all how can you argue with that?
Nazia Hafiz
The band’s repertoire is mainly instrumental. ‘Over Hill and Under Hill’ has a traditional Celtic and folk influence to it; whilst ‘Clockwork Woman’ had funk undertones, hidden amongst a twangy overlaid melody created by a bouzouki, a stringed Greek instrument. It was definitely a highlight watching guitarist Gordon Wallace shred a bouzouki like there was no tomorrow. The set ended with the crowd busting some impressive mosh / river dance combos.
The second support out were Cabins, with a completely different style, they brought a more seductive and sombre mood with them. Cabins struck me as old school rock n roll mixed with bluesy riffs, the occasional southern style twang and sexy grating vocals. Lead singer Leroy Bressington has a deep lazy drawl reminiscent of Julian Casablanca’s or Bob Dylan, he definitely brought swoon factor to the band.
Cabins opened with a stormy number ‘Hounds’ a mix of rumbling drum beats, blues licks and harmonised vocals. ‘Oceanic Blues’ has a real southern feel to it, reflected in the lyrics and the melodic twang of the guitar. ‘Foes and Thieves’ a rocky number with crashing cymbals and wailing reverb was then followed by a special treat of a really well done and well suited cover of ‘Never known a girl like you before’ by The Kinks, that the crowd happily crooned and writhed along to.
At this point the Standard has slowly filled up and the crowd eagerly pushes forward in anticipation of the main event. Jonathan Boulet has been keeping himself busy, this one night only show includes a preview some of his new material and it also seems that he’s sporting a new look. The thicket of facial hair inhabiting his face doesn’t hide his youthful antics, as he opens with lyrics ‘oh my god you’re a dick, find the reasons to stay the same, what a waste’.
‘3 2 1 Ready or Not’ gets the crowd moving with its uplifting lyrics and electro indie pop goodness. As the band launch into ‘Ones Who Fly Twos Who Die’, the reaction is electric. I must say this was a performance highlight for me, the pounding jungle rhythm combined with perfectly harmonised vocals, lifted this track to a transcendental level and left us all dancing like crazed lunatics.
Boulet announces the next track is a new song off his album coming out next year and delves into angst ridden lyrics ‘I do what I’m told, I just don’t know anything, I’m not in control of myself’. The driving rhythm and rocky edge to the music go down well and starts a round robin of on beat, off beat clapping. The following song encourages ritual chanting in the room in time to a steady drum, and seems a little Noah’s Ark inspired with lyrics like ‘We’re calling out your name friend, we’re calling two by two/ three by three / four by four’.
‘A Community Service Announcement’ had everybody singing and foot stomping along whilst the intro to ‘North to South East to You’ with its chilled out beach feel cooled the room back down. I must admit the only dampeners to the performances on the night were some minor mishaps with sound cutting out and the occasional feedback, which were handled quite gracefully by all performers.
In excellent form Boulet finishes us off with ‘You’re A Animal’. As he enthusiastically flips us the bird and screams at us that we are all animals, I can’t help but laugh, after all how can you argue with that?
Nazia Hafiz