Did you ever hear what happened to the guy that screamed out 'get a fucking bassist' to The White Stripes after they released White Blood Cells? He now sits on his arse in his shitty Detroit apartment and gets a humble pie delivered every day for the rest of his life as that album went on to become one of the greatest garage rock albums of all time and Jack White one of the most influential guitarists of the last 50 odd years. The reason i say this is because we all have to learn from the mistakes of the past and when Nick Murphy sits behind the keyboard with Fraser Walker on guitar and Will Jones behind the kit (without a bassist!?!!) you gotta listen to George Michael and have a little faith.
With only a handful of live shows under their belt this Melbourne 3-piece has already developed a surprisingly large cult following on the back of their recent hyped, energetic performances. Put simply, these guys know how to fucking party and want you to do just that. So in their first appearance at the infamous Espy hotel the boys barreled through 6 tracks, opening with the viciously funny Melbourne City, a song chronicling the observations of an alcohol soaked city on a Saturday night.
This is the place that i think the band belongs, their music; dark yet melodic seems to be a perfect soundtrack to a long, drunken walk home from a night on the town. Mr Walker, obviously a disciple of Master Frusciante has already mastered the art of atmospheric harmony creating an epic and spine-tingling cacophony, as he layered multiple guitar tracks over one another on their closing instrumental Daisy Loop.
It may seem like a simple and inane thing to comment on, but watching the Kicks play, you can tell they're digging what they do, there seems to be a comradery between the boys, and its obvious they are in tune musically. I think that's fucking cool, and it allows the band to impress individually as well as collectively. Nick's lyrical skill is very accomplished for his age, balancing wit with sensitivity and using his vocal acrobatics to soar over Fraser's melodies, but thankfully never over-doing it into wankery. Will's drumming is jaw-droppingly impressive with some of the coolest (and fastest) fills and rolls this reviewer has heard in quite awhile. All give one another time to shine and it is so refreshing to see a band with healthy egos that aren't in competition with each other on stage.
Obviously in awe of the packed room in front of them, Nick graciously thanked everyone for the turn out before launching into the newly written Clockwork Hearts which he describes as his token 'emo' song. Followed by crowd favourite Robot Symphony the crowd got their boogy on and the inevitable sing-along begun. And fuck it was worth it, do you ever feel as if you've ripped someone off? When they've given you something for a small amount of money and yet it doesnt feel right in the pit of your stomach? Well considering the cover charge for the night was a clumsy $5 i think i owe these guys about another $30. But we'll sort out the cash later, the gig left me bewildered and i was glad i'd kept my expectations at a reasonable point for them to blow them away in a short 30 minutes. I am certain that if these guys don't make it then the so-called Melbourne music scene has its head so far up its own arse it'll start to think the Rogue Traders actually create music.
Calling Sony record executives.....
get these guys a fucking deal already.
http://www.myspace.com/fucksundaykicks
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