What better way to bring a close to September! It’s been a crazy week with flash floods and the entire state unwillfully participating in a blackout. But The Delta Riggs managed to slip in that last bit of September madness. More on them later as two support acts warmed up the crowd.
They always say to hire support acts that will not outshine you. The Delta Riggs chose wisely. First up was The Cherry Dolls. A no-nonsense 5-piece band from Melbourne with all the looks and sounds of the 70s – try a blend of the swagger of The Stones, basslines of Sabbath and the mic swinging of The Who. The energy was high by their frontman – complete with his Rolling Stones t-shirt – as he tried oh so hard to get the early small crowd involved but no one was buying. Full marks for effort but in the end their sound was too one-dimensional
If the name Gideon Benson sounds familiar then you would be correct in your thinking. Former guitarist of Sydney band The Preatures has decided to go out on his own…with just a drummer in tow. A solo EP, “Cold Cold Heart”, is already out and don’t expect it to sound like his former band because it doesn’t! Try a bizarre mix of Lou Reed and Talking Heads. To put it politely, the Gov punters didn’t quite get his unique singing style and eclectic sound.
But of course tonight was all about the main act, The Delta Riggs. As the band strutted onto the stage, the majority young crowd – many with striped shirts as per the band – quickly filled the huge gap front of stage and the first note was struck. From this moment on there was a mass of energetic craziness. Their new album, “Active Galactic”, has just hit the shelves (good to see the vinyl at the merch desk by the way) and if you thought disco was dead, then think again! For a band that has only been around for a few years – their debut album was only released in 2013 – they have the energy and stage presence of a band that’s been on the road for the last 10.
The band could not disappoint, how could they with singer Elliott Hammond bopping around like a Duracell Bunny on speed?! The energy coming out of this guy would put any personal trainer to shame with the crowd lapping up his every pose and rock move. Hands down one of the best frontmen of recent times.
Their influences can be heard throughout the music – The Rolling Stones are prevalent, the straight up rock and swagger of The Hives, all thrown into a musical mixing bowl along with a sprinkle of The Roots and 70s disco. All this genre hopping makes me dizzy!
Just before the rap craziness that ended the show – you really did need to be there to witness it – Hammond invited everyone for a beer after the gig, doubt anyone refused that invite.
By Darren M. Leach
More News
