The Panda Band, Pretty Littles, Lowlakes, Montpellier @ Northcote Social Club, Melbourne (18/ 08/ 2011)
Tour buddies of The Panda Band and all the way from Brisbane, Montpelier graced the stage just before 8pm, a late edition to the bill. Armed with two vocalists, a guitar, bass, keyboard, drum-kit and some killer harmonies the band played a polished set. The Rafters with its upbeat keyboard and soaring vocals and crisp sound was a favourite for me. But Last Boat was definitely the highlight, showcasing Greg Chiapello's powerful vocals, sobering lyrics and hauntingly beautiful instrumentation, punctured occasionally by guitars and drums. As the final notes were played, I only wished a larger audience could have witnessed it all. Melbourne, take note of Montpelier’s return.
Lowlakes (Melbourne) are an alternative four piece originally from Alice Springs where they played under the name Moxie. It has been said that these guys are Melbourne's answer to Wild Beasts, and I would have to agree. Boy had a real Mogwai feel in its instrumentation, and Buffalohas an awesomely rich texture and laid back feel. I didn’t catch the name of their last song but I really liked the reverb on the vocals, and the melodic instrumental breaks.
By now a sizable crowd was building and edging closer to the stage. The Pretty Littles (Melbourne) coaxed them ever further forward with their raw and enthusiastic rock. These chaps have a very Doorsesque style most evident in the opening chords of Easy Come Easy, and Jack (lead vocals) sounding like a young Jim Morrison. They played a new song, I caught the lyrics "beautiful anecdote" which was fitting as it was quite story like. Jack then introduced a 'semi ballad’, which drew a few hoots from the crowd. On the whole an interesting listen, but they unfortunately didn’t fit particularly well with the rest of the acts.
Having added Motpellier at the last minute, the Panda Band (Perth) started later than originally scheduled and were greeted with cheers from the waiting crowd. They launched straight into Signing Off (We’re Almost Not Even Here, which drew instant recognition from the fans. The crowd was a bit shy moving to the front, prompting front man Damian Crosbie encouraging us to close the gap, which saw a handful of people shuffle closer.
51 Swimsuits is a cheeky little feel good song that doesn’t seem to take itself very seriously. Interestingly I found that if I shut my eyes I could have been listening to another WA band The Chemist; The Panda Band may well have been an inspiration to them. Ghosts’ Have the Best Time is probably their most well song, and saw people venturing further forward the gap between the band and the front row. It’s a quirky feel good romp, which features a theremin solo (if you don’t know what this is, google Bill Bailey + theremin for a much needed education in electronic music!) and could sit comfortably on a CD next to Yves Klein Blue’s Polka.
Damian shuffled off stage in search of his harmonica he swore he’d left next to his mic stand, came back empty handed and apologised to the crowd for having to play Lovely Shoulders sans-harmonica. It sounded fine without it and reminded me a little of Al Stewart’s story telling style. Eyelashes started off with earnest before spurts of electronic noises entered the mix, and at times had a Bowie Life of Mars feel in the vocals, coupled with very abstract lyrics. Off their latest album Charisma Weapon, The Fix was easily my favourite song, an almost whispered love song with choirboy like backing vocals.
Sadly crowds started to peter off towards the end of their set, as playing times being pushed back had meant that anyone who’d caught a tram had to scoot to catch the last one. Which was unfortunate bi-product of adding an extra support for crowd and band alike and The Panda Band deserved to be playing to a larger audience. All in all though a great and eclectic night, go out and buy yourselves a copy of Charisma Weapon and be sure to catch The Panda Band when they’re next in town!
Jillian McEwan and Sabrina Robertson
Lowlakes (Melbourne) are an alternative four piece originally from Alice Springs where they played under the name Moxie. It has been said that these guys are Melbourne's answer to Wild Beasts, and I would have to agree. Boy had a real Mogwai feel in its instrumentation, and Buffalohas an awesomely rich texture and laid back feel. I didn’t catch the name of their last song but I really liked the reverb on the vocals, and the melodic instrumental breaks.
By now a sizable crowd was building and edging closer to the stage. The Pretty Littles (Melbourne) coaxed them ever further forward with their raw and enthusiastic rock. These chaps have a very Doorsesque style most evident in the opening chords of Easy Come Easy, and Jack (lead vocals) sounding like a young Jim Morrison. They played a new song, I caught the lyrics "beautiful anecdote" which was fitting as it was quite story like. Jack then introduced a 'semi ballad’, which drew a few hoots from the crowd. On the whole an interesting listen, but they unfortunately didn’t fit particularly well with the rest of the acts.
Having added Motpellier at the last minute, the Panda Band (Perth) started later than originally scheduled and were greeted with cheers from the waiting crowd. They launched straight into Signing Off (We’re Almost Not Even Here, which drew instant recognition from the fans. The crowd was a bit shy moving to the front, prompting front man Damian Crosbie encouraging us to close the gap, which saw a handful of people shuffle closer.
51 Swimsuits is a cheeky little feel good song that doesn’t seem to take itself very seriously. Interestingly I found that if I shut my eyes I could have been listening to another WA band The Chemist; The Panda Band may well have been an inspiration to them. Ghosts’ Have the Best Time is probably their most well song, and saw people venturing further forward the gap between the band and the front row. It’s a quirky feel good romp, which features a theremin solo (if you don’t know what this is, google Bill Bailey + theremin for a much needed education in electronic music!) and could sit comfortably on a CD next to Yves Klein Blue’s Polka.
Damian shuffled off stage in search of his harmonica he swore he’d left next to his mic stand, came back empty handed and apologised to the crowd for having to play Lovely Shoulders sans-harmonica. It sounded fine without it and reminded me a little of Al Stewart’s story telling style. Eyelashes started off with earnest before spurts of electronic noises entered the mix, and at times had a Bowie Life of Mars feel in the vocals, coupled with very abstract lyrics. Off their latest album Charisma Weapon, The Fix was easily my favourite song, an almost whispered love song with choirboy like backing vocals.
Sadly crowds started to peter off towards the end of their set, as playing times being pushed back had meant that anyone who’d caught a tram had to scoot to catch the last one. Which was unfortunate bi-product of adding an extra support for crowd and band alike and The Panda Band deserved to be playing to a larger audience. All in all though a great and eclectic night, go out and buy yourselves a copy of Charisma Weapon and be sure to catch The Panda Band when they’re next in town!
Jillian McEwan and Sabrina Robertson