We Are Live: Erotic Neurotic

Original video located here. Accessed 28th November 2024

Song title: Erotic Neurotic

Artist: The Saints

Year: 1977

Why I like this song:

Last night I went and saw the Saints live.

Seeing this band live is such an odd experience: Firstly, it's founding members Ed Kuepper and Ivor Hay along with Mick Harvey (of the Bad Seeds fame), Peter Oxley (of the Sunnyboys fame) and Mark Arm (of Mudhoney fame). Secondly, this band is a product of the first wave of punk - hardly a movement that had any longevity let alone being the type being played by guys in various points of their sixties. 

And yet, they still delivered live: This was a lot of fun to watch and there was a real sense of energy coming off of them - which is what punk is supposed to do. The audience were indeed welcoming to this songs being played and the use of horns worked well. Of course, when they played the best known Saints songs, I'm Stranded and Know You Product, the audience when completely nuts. 
All in all, this was another indication that veteran acts have years of experience to rely upon and their can deliver with enough flair to put younger acts to shame. Top stuff.

We Are Live: Alone

Original video located here. Accessed 16th November 2024

Song title: Alone

Artist: Custard

Year: 1994

Why I like this song:

Last night I went and saw Custard. These guys were something of a legendary act during my teen years so naturally I went to see them, playing at the Republic Bar in North Hobart. 

First up though were a pair of support acts. The first of which was a Queensland band named Stress of Leisure. Not bad but certainly of an esoteric nature.

The second support act was the Fauves. Now these guys I was very much familiar with having them seeing live twice before. They were delightfully raucous, delivering a loud show. Their onstage banter was hilarious - with remarks how the Wrest Point casino revolving restaurant was stuck in the seventies - and they rocked hard even when contending with guitar problems onstage. Of particular note was when they played Dogs Are the Best People and the audience went nuts. 

And then there was Custard.
Now that I think about it, when Custard were popular in the mid-to-late nineties, they seemed to be the Australian answer to the so-called 'geek rock'. Yes, the same genre that gave us Weezer, They Might Be Giants and the Presidents of the USA (both the latter and Custard were even touring mates at one stage).
It's an unlikely call but not impossible. 
But I digress: Custard were brilliant. They rocked hard and played all their best known songs. Pack Yr Suitcases and Alone went over well. Lucky Star went hard on stage and Apartment made the audience go ballistic. In fact there. was no weak song in amongst the setlist and the audience hung onto ever moment. In addition, Dave McCormack was a charismatic presence, cracking jokes and his audience interaction. At one point I did shout out 'Bandit!' but I don't think he noticed - either that or he has been growing accustomed to Bluey gags.

All in all, a great night out and proof that some veteran acts can still cut it. 

Nineties Revisited: Home Again

Original video located here. Accessed 13th November 2024

Song title: Home Again

Artist: Shihad

Year: 1997

Why I like this song:

So New Zealand rock heroes Shihad are calling it a day.

I got into Shihad through their landmark album The General Electric. It rocked hard, showing some muscle that could challenge the major heavy acts from overseas. I also had the pleasure of seeing them twice: First at a 2000 day event in Hobart called RAW and second at the 2002 Big Day Out. Both occasions they delivered a fiery show that showed up a lot of the other acts on the day. 

So here's to Shihad. 

Back to the Eighties: Subways of Your Mind

Original video located here. Accessed 5th November 2024

Song title: Subways of Your Mind

Artist: FEX

Year: 1983

Why I like this song:

It's happened: The Most Mysterious Song on the Internet has now been identified. After so many years of searching, a song title has been determined and an artist named.

I have been following this search for a while and was astonished that it finally bore fruit. Given that FEX will reunite and re-record the song, I look forward to see what comes of it.

And lets not forget: This song still rocks hard.