Gig Guide
Saturday September 6th
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· 12 Below: Parfait
· Bath St: CHEF [uk] & Jason Howson [ak]. Dubstep Intnl.
· The Backstage: 'Frequency' Dunedin DJ extravaganza
· THE BOG IRISH BAR: Sweet Naval Oranges
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19 June, 2008
The Tweeks with local support - The Backstage 9/5/08
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The Tweeks with local support - The Backstage 9/5/08
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Man, what is with these ridiculous start times? Considering the slickness of [The Tweeks]and the fact that this was an album release gig, it could have been reasonably expected that things would get underway well before 11pm, surely? I guess not, as presumably socialising and good old anticipation building meant that [Tono and the Finance Company] got underway at about the time you would be wanting the headliners to be starting.
Once underway however, Tono and his band demonstrate a real confidence and well considered aesthetic. With Tono’s strong, rich voice to the forefront the band produce a well rounded collection of songs contemplating the implications and machinations of the modern consumer culture. Status symbols abound in the lyrics, which (along with the confident voice) are a real strength of the band, clever and insightful to a point. The first cover of the night (each band produces at least one) is a very accomplished version of The Muttonbird’s A Thing Well Made, with the euphonium part translated extremely effectively to the bass. While not much more than a straight cover version, Tono’s distinctive voice and the band’s obvious competence manage to render it as though they own it, and always had. Clever lyrics, well structured music and a sense of sophistication all add up to a very worthwhile band and perhaps a purchase of their recently released EP would be equally as rewarding as experiencing them live.
[Fea Street Hustle] are soon to leave us for (inexplicably) Canadian shores and the chances to see them before then will be limited. Which will be a pity, since as a live band they are pure entertainment. While ostensibly being some sort of alt. country act (at least in the recording stakes) they produce a more rollicking, straight forward country sound in their live show. The more uptempo numbers from their recently released EP are dutifully expounded upon and gleefully turned into dancefloor good times. The entertainment is led by the irrepressible drummer, leaping from his seat in joy and leading the crowd in clap alongs when the beat drops out, while the rest of the band bop and swing with huge grins across their faces. Inexplicably their choice of a cover is Pulp’s Common People, which at first seems somewhat incongruous but before long manages to seem perfectly natural.
The end of their set is a triumphant and rousing affair, country twang meeting good old fashioned rock ‘n’ roll and [Fea Street Hustle] are absolutely undeniable. They will be missed.
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