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.