Say Anything, Ceres, Have / Hold @ The Corner Hotel, Melbourne (17/10/2014)
Say Anything fans were expectedly treated to a blisteringly awesome gig this particular Friday in Melbourne. The energy of the crowd was unstoppably reciprocated by the headliner’s explosive, writhing, and deeply excited front man Max Bemis.
Having been the fourth time this reviewer had seen Say Anything play – albeit with perpetually altered members – there was no doubt in my mind the obviously dedicated contingent of younger punters getting their first look were in for an evening they’d not soon forget. Let it not be said, however, that the two opening Melbournian acts did little to further engross the crowd. It’s a safe bet that without their infallibly brilliant support spots, the crowd would not have been at the fever pitch they were come time for Bemis and co. to take stage. Have/Hold are a severely talented three piece, who make the noise of five while tracking like twenty year veterans on stage. Their sprawling, anthemic, and disarmingly honest sound lies at a musical cross-roads through grunge and post-punk, with a crisp and original song structuring that’d sound at home in a massive stadium without too much tinkering. This is handy, as the gents so quickly won over the early crowd peppered throughout the venue, it’d be no wonder to see them find their way to much loftier musical heights over the next few years. Front man Luke’s aching falsetto coursing it’s way through the band’s cracking breakdowns and crescendos was unfaultable; like Brian Molko with all power and zero effeminate quiver. Bassist Luke (Smithy) mentioned – over several post-show beers – that he was nervous about the gig, as Have/Hold were a last minute replacement. |
He needn’t be from here on in, as his two mates and he are on point, and a remarkably engrossing act to boot. They’re also extremely kind dudes for letting me hang out, have a good laugh, and get pissed after the show. Thanks dudes, hope you like the pictures.
Best mates with Have/Hold and equally as talented, Ceres cemented the opening bill as - almost inarguably – the best pre-headliner show any of the early punters have seen in recent memory. One is almost always guaranteed a brilliant show by a band who cannot believe they’re sharing a stage with the headliner. The humility of both openers warmed the crowd to them in a heart beat, and with Ceres delivering a swaggering, hit-ridden set while barely dropping the smiles from their faces, no one in the corner could help but bang their head along.
The four-piece delivered a hook-drenched, coarse, and remarkably tight set as breezily as globally touring stalwarts. Their uppity and emotive power-punk ensured every kid in joint felt as triumphant as the band did for the duration of their spot on the bill. Charismatic front man Tom continuously iterated their overwhelming joy for being on stage at The Corner between songs, but the real winners were the crowd watching. By the end of the set, end-of-song applauses had expanded to lengthy and deafening cheers. This rollicking outfit’s ability to so absolutely hook an audience predominantly occupied by folks who have never heard them play is a testament to their ripper song writing and friendly on-stage presence. Get on Ceres and Have/Hold. They are phenomenal local talent more than worthy of our support.
Few bands occupy such a large and personal part of their fan’s hearts as Say Anything do. The sprawling openness of Max Bemis’ lyrical content plays out like a decade-long diary of addiction, depression, love, hate, and ultimately redemption. He’s also a wholly unique and ingeniously inventive songwriter, and an immeasurably friendly bloke. The resulting noise pervades a closeness and unwavering affinity with anyone who cares to listen. Having first watched Say Anything take stage at London Brixton Academy in 2006 – Bemis then deeply in the midst of a mania-and-drug-induced break down – there is no doubt that the subsequent eight years, four albums, line-up reset, marriage, fatherhood, and drug-free sobriety have only spurred on the man’s ability to perform. Furthermore, a reverent love for his adoring audience has grown exponentially.
Having freely discussed his sadness about leaving a budding family behind to tour globally in an interview with me several weeks prior, Bemis couldn’t help but continue to stress that this particular Melbourne gig was the most fun he’s ever had playing outside of the US; thanking the audience umpteenth times for making the trip away from his pregnant wife and kid more than worth it without ever sounding patronizing. This, very evidently, is not a man who lies to his fans.
Say Anything were joined by 00’s cult punk champion, Two Tongues band mate, and Saves The Day front man Chris Conley on guitar for the tour. It seemed the only man happier to have him there than best friend Max was Conley himself. Mid-set, Bemis freely admitted to being visited by an angel named Kelly, who poured the band an excess of pre-show Irish car bombs. He may be drug-free, but booze in moderation appears to in no way deter performance ability.
Half-drunk, but far from half-arsed, Say Anything barreled through opener/ venue exploder Alive With The Glory Of Love, before jumping to the other end of their career with brand new single Six Six Six, a song greeted with equal fervency by the utterly engrossed mass of enraptured punters. The night saw Spider Song, Every Man Has A Molly, Surgically Removing The Tracking Device, Burn A Miracle, This Is Fucking Ecstasy, Judas Decapitation, and even an improvised Two Tongues and guitar duet with Conley and Bemis land squarely in the gut of every person in the pub. All the aforementioned songs were delivered flawlessly, except the impromptu Two Tongues spot, but really, that was the entire point. Bemis clambered along the barricades throughout the non-stop set, freely jamming the mic in to faces of stoked fans, knowing full well not a person in the joint didn’t know every damn word.
After the shortest chant for an encore ever, the rampaging, call-and-return opening classic Belt was, indeed, belted out with all the resplendent rawness and energy the gargantuan song so demands. It polished off an unforgettable night in Richmond, where from go-to-woah every act brought the mother loving house down. Come back soon, Say Anything, and make sure your supports are just as awesome next time around.
Todd Gingell
Best mates with Have/Hold and equally as talented, Ceres cemented the opening bill as - almost inarguably – the best pre-headliner show any of the early punters have seen in recent memory. One is almost always guaranteed a brilliant show by a band who cannot believe they’re sharing a stage with the headliner. The humility of both openers warmed the crowd to them in a heart beat, and with Ceres delivering a swaggering, hit-ridden set while barely dropping the smiles from their faces, no one in the corner could help but bang their head along.
The four-piece delivered a hook-drenched, coarse, and remarkably tight set as breezily as globally touring stalwarts. Their uppity and emotive power-punk ensured every kid in joint felt as triumphant as the band did for the duration of their spot on the bill. Charismatic front man Tom continuously iterated their overwhelming joy for being on stage at The Corner between songs, but the real winners were the crowd watching. By the end of the set, end-of-song applauses had expanded to lengthy and deafening cheers. This rollicking outfit’s ability to so absolutely hook an audience predominantly occupied by folks who have never heard them play is a testament to their ripper song writing and friendly on-stage presence. Get on Ceres and Have/Hold. They are phenomenal local talent more than worthy of our support.
Few bands occupy such a large and personal part of their fan’s hearts as Say Anything do. The sprawling openness of Max Bemis’ lyrical content plays out like a decade-long diary of addiction, depression, love, hate, and ultimately redemption. He’s also a wholly unique and ingeniously inventive songwriter, and an immeasurably friendly bloke. The resulting noise pervades a closeness and unwavering affinity with anyone who cares to listen. Having first watched Say Anything take stage at London Brixton Academy in 2006 – Bemis then deeply in the midst of a mania-and-drug-induced break down – there is no doubt that the subsequent eight years, four albums, line-up reset, marriage, fatherhood, and drug-free sobriety have only spurred on the man’s ability to perform. Furthermore, a reverent love for his adoring audience has grown exponentially.
Having freely discussed his sadness about leaving a budding family behind to tour globally in an interview with me several weeks prior, Bemis couldn’t help but continue to stress that this particular Melbourne gig was the most fun he’s ever had playing outside of the US; thanking the audience umpteenth times for making the trip away from his pregnant wife and kid more than worth it without ever sounding patronizing. This, very evidently, is not a man who lies to his fans.
Say Anything were joined by 00’s cult punk champion, Two Tongues band mate, and Saves The Day front man Chris Conley on guitar for the tour. It seemed the only man happier to have him there than best friend Max was Conley himself. Mid-set, Bemis freely admitted to being visited by an angel named Kelly, who poured the band an excess of pre-show Irish car bombs. He may be drug-free, but booze in moderation appears to in no way deter performance ability.
Half-drunk, but far from half-arsed, Say Anything barreled through opener/ venue exploder Alive With The Glory Of Love, before jumping to the other end of their career with brand new single Six Six Six, a song greeted with equal fervency by the utterly engrossed mass of enraptured punters. The night saw Spider Song, Every Man Has A Molly, Surgically Removing The Tracking Device, Burn A Miracle, This Is Fucking Ecstasy, Judas Decapitation, and even an improvised Two Tongues and guitar duet with Conley and Bemis land squarely in the gut of every person in the pub. All the aforementioned songs were delivered flawlessly, except the impromptu Two Tongues spot, but really, that was the entire point. Bemis clambered along the barricades throughout the non-stop set, freely jamming the mic in to faces of stoked fans, knowing full well not a person in the joint didn’t know every damn word.
After the shortest chant for an encore ever, the rampaging, call-and-return opening classic Belt was, indeed, belted out with all the resplendent rawness and energy the gargantuan song so demands. It polished off an unforgettable night in Richmond, where from go-to-woah every act brought the mother loving house down. Come back soon, Say Anything, and make sure your supports are just as awesome next time around.
Todd Gingell