Governor Hindmarsh Hotel, Sat Nov 8

Looking around the Governor Hindmarsh, about 20 minutes before the scheduled start of the evening’s on-stage entertainment, it is surprising to see how sparsely populated the venue is. There are very few people inside, milling around in the purple smokiness. A decent-sized crowd is almost guaranteed; I wonder where they might be. Within half an hour, by the time Pro Tools are into their second song, the place is close to full. It appears that the punters must have all come out to Hindmarsh on the same tram. Oh well, no matter. We now have a packed house and the promise of three great bands.

Pro Tools and The Bearded Clams, both excellent choices for the support spots, set the evening up nicely. Energy levels are high. By the time Radio Birdman are ready to go on around 11:00pm, the audience has been expertly revved.

This incarnation of Radio Birdman, sadly appearing without founder-member Chris Masuak, arrives on stage and is greeted by rapturous applause and cheering from the now-heaving crowd. Everyone, band included, appears ready to rock The Gov. The show kicks off with Smith And Wesson Blues and is followed by Do The Pop and Anglo Girl Desire, songs that go back to the band’s raucous beginnings. These guys are every bit as noisy in 2014, and perhaps are playing with a greater velocity than in 1977. And it’s loud. There is a tightness about the band, however; the precision is evident amid the racket. The sound is a slight improvement on the mix for the first two bands, but Rob Younger’s vocals occasionally risk being swamped by the sheer volume of the music.

Radio Birdman 1 © Anne Laurent - The Gov - The Clothesline

Younger’s front-man credentials are in no danger of being diminished as he stalks about the stage, throwing his arms around to add to the theatre. Deniz Tek is an almost perfect example of the rock guitarist – concentration and passion, not to mention technique. Bass player Jim Dickson is placed in a prominent on-stage position and appears to be basking in the limelight. Pip Hoyle’s keys, as ever, provide an appealing contrast when placed among the searing guitars. Drummer Nik Rieth and New Christs’ guitarist Dave Kettley complete the line-up and, unsurprisingly, the result is celebratory.

With a relatively small body of work to choose from, the set features selections that are both expected and welcomed. The majority come from the Radios Appear and Living Eyes albums, but there are inclusions from 2006’s ZenoBeach, notably We’ve Come So Far (To Be Here Today).

Hand Of Law seems to add a spark to an already monster show; from hereon in things really get going. Hoyle proves that he’s still a top man in the keyboard department in the marvellous Man With The Golden Helmet. The crowd-favourites keep on coming: More Fun, Murder City Nights and Burn My Eye ’78 continue the crescendo of joyous noise. The set finishes with Aloha Steve And Danno, and the Birdmen bid farewell and leave the stage. The audience isn’t going anywhere. Not without some more music, in any event.

The band returns to the stage for a five-song encore that culminates with What Gives?, New Race and You’re Gonna Miss Me, all from Radios Appear.

No-one wants to leave but all good things must come to an end. After an hour and a half of something resembling a rock and roll rapture, it becomes clear that the party is over and that it is time for the Radio Birdman faithful to head home, back to reality. Saturday night has become Sunday morning.

In a world where manufactured music-by-numbers is foisted upon the masses, and embraced by many, it is invigorating to be part of an evening such as this. Live, loud and exciting. As it should be.

by David Robinson

Images courtesy of Anne Laurent

 

Setlist

  1. Smith And Wesson Blues
  2. Do The Pop
  3. Anglo Girl Desire
  4. Descent Into The Maelstrom
  5. Love Kills
  6. We’ve Come So Far (To Be Here Today)
  7. Alone In The Endzone
  8. Subterfuge
  9. Non Stop Girls
  10. Zeno Beach
  11. Breaks My Heart
  12. Hand Of Law
  13. The Man With The Golden Helmet
  14. More Fun
  15. Murder City Nights
  16. Burn My Eye ‘78
  17. Aloha Steve And Danno

 

  1. Alien Skies
  2. Dark Surprise
  3. What Gives?
  4. New Race
  5. You’re Gonna Miss Me
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Governor Hindmarsh Hotel, Sat Nov 8 Looking around the Governor Hindmarsh, about 20 minutes before the scheduled start of the evening’s on-stage entertainment, it is surprising to see how sparsely populated the venue is. There are very few people inside, milling around in the purple smokiness. A decent-sized crowd is almost guaranteed; I wonder where they might be. Within half an hour, by the time Pro Tools are into their second song, the place is close to full. It appears that the punters must have all come out to Hindmarsh on the same tram. Oh well, no matter. We now have a packed house and the promise of three great bands. Pro Tools and The Bearded Clams, both excellent choices for the support spots, set the evening up nicely. Energy levels are high. By the time Radio Birdman are ready to go on around 11:00pm, the audience has been expertly revved. This incarnation of Radio Birdman, sadly appearing without founder-member Chris Masuak, arrives on stage and is greeted by rapturous applause and cheering from the now-heaving crowd. Everyone, band included, appears ready to rock The Gov. The show kicks off with Smith And Wesson Blues and is followed by Do The Pop and Anglo Girl Desire, songs that go back to the band’s raucous beginnings. These guys are every bit as noisy in 2014, and perhaps are playing with a greater velocity than in 1977. And it’s loud. There is a tightness about the band, however; the precision is evident amid the racket. The sound is a slight improvement on the mix for the first two bands, but Rob Younger’s vocals occasionally risk being swamped by the sheer volume of the music. Younger’s front-man credentials are in no danger of being diminished as he stalks about the stage, throwing his arms around to add to the theatre. Deniz Tek is an almost perfect example of the rock guitarist – concentration and passion, not to mention technique. Bass player Jim Dickson is placed in a prominent on-stage position and appears to be basking in the limelight. Pip Hoyle’s keys, as ever, provide an appealing contrast when placed among the searing guitars. Drummer Nik Rieth and New Christs’ guitarist Dave Kettley complete the line-up and, unsurprisingly, the result is celebratory. With a relatively small body of work to choose from, the set features selections that are both expected and welcomed. The majority come from the Radios Appear and Living Eyes albums, but there are inclusions from 2006’s ZenoBeach, notably We've Come So Far (To Be Here Today). Hand Of Law seems to add a spark to an already monster show; from hereon in things really get going. Hoyle proves that he’s still a top man in the keyboard department in the marvellous Man With The Golden Helmet. The crowd-favourites keep on coming: More Fun, Murder City Nights and Burn My Eye ’78 continue the crescendo of joyous noise. The set finishes with Aloha Steve And Danno, and the Birdmen bid farewell and…

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David Robinson

Live, loud and exciting. As it should be.

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