rant.mrbootle.com

What with becoming a dad and a new home and fuck all money I have been out in the gig wilderness for what seems like an eternity. The last gig I went to from memory (which is never that reliable) was the Scientists and The Drones at the Scala last year. That was a brilliant gig and I was expecting the same from Sydney rockers Wolfmother (nee Black Sabbath).

Much to my surprise their debut long player has featured heavily on my iTunes and I was keen to hear them live. Caroline, a colleague from work had seen them at the Leeds festival was keen to see them again so I got some tickets and off we went.

We tried to get to the venue early to see my home town band Wolf & Cub open up and I managed to get to hear a few of their tracks. The band is recently signed to 4AD and they played their Kasiban inspired psychodelic stomp well but the lack of sharp hooks fails to grab me. Having said that it was good to see an Adelaide band on the international stage.

By the time Wolfmother were about to take the stage Caroline and I had managed to move up near the front, mid stage. We had moved closer on my insistance that we get a good look at the singer who Caroline says reminds her of a hamster (and she’s right!) and I fancied a bit of moshing. Well, what a din! Wolfmother certainly liked to turn things up and it was a loud mother! Not the good loudness I usually equate to a band like Fugazi, power and clarity, this was loud and distorted. All subtlies were flattened and invaded by din. It kinda spoilt it for me but I was was determined to have a good time and I did enjoy myself. Although a 3 piece, Wolfmother fill in the sound live very well. The bass player switches between electric bass and keyboard to great effect and in the slow burner groover numbers they really hit their straps. Particular favourites were Vagabond, Dimension and Collosal. Uptempo number Womand and Pyramid grooved.

Despite my aging ears coping a beating it was a good performance and enjoyable gig. Next time a little less hiss.

Way back in December it was the Direct Design Christmas party. The whole shebang was paid for by the managers and I drank Gin + Tonics all night. Supreme! We even had a room at the hotel to say in and I had a lovely breakfast of scrambled eggs, kippers and black pudding. It lived up to all expectations. There were tears, laughs, people being sick, sleeping where they shouldn’t… but what happens on tour, stays on tour.

For all in gruesome details including my spur of the moment haircut and gaye byker moustache, have a look here. Above is a nice pick that I reminded Darren of… anyone for a game of Street Fighter?