Geoff Holmes of X.
Geoff Holmes of X.
TALES FROM THE AUSTRALIAN UNDERGROUND
X, Ed Kuepper, Ups & Downs, The Moodists, Virgin & Rumour, Lighthouse
Keepers
The Metro Theatre, Sydney
May 24, 2003
Funny the sorts of shows that draw and the ones that don’t. Maybe the line-up
was a little on the eclectic side, but The Metro was only half full for this,
the official launch of the double compilation of Aussie underground singles
from Feel Presents.
It couldn’t have been the competition - there was bugger all on in Sydney
this night - and the TV guide sucked, big time.
Certainly the likes of Sekret Sekret (from whence David Virgin and Danny "Cruel
Sea" Rumour sprang) and the Lighthouse Keepers weren’t renowned drawcards
back in the day, but the presence of the Moodists should have brought the curious
out, seeing as they spent more time living on the breadline in London than they
did playing Sydney. Relocated to Brisvegas, Ed Kuepper rarely gets out these
days (well, down these parts anyway) but has a dedicated following, and X are
in something of a live ascendancy, gigging every two months or so, to rapturous
reception…
I hate those reviews where the writer apologises for missing the supports, so
I won’t detail why I wasn’t present for the sets by Virgin & Rumour
and the Lighthouse Keepers. (If you’re going to badger me, it had something
to do with prior engagements and alcohol, OK?) The Lighthouse Keepers never
did much for me when I saw them back in the ‘80s anyway and I never caught
Sekret Sekret live. Good judges tell me I missed something worthwhile this time
around with the laid-back, moody set by Virgin & Rumour. The epithet "Velvets-like"
was being tossed around.
The Moodists, on the other hand, I did catch tonight and they were something
else. Dave Graney has long moved on from the so-called punk genre and re-materialised
in his own customised musical space, but his sense of the musically off-centre
had its origins in this band (and an earlier outfit called the Sputniks). Graney's
partner Claire Moore is, as always, rock solid on drums and anchors the whole
thing down superbly with a great sense of feel.
The band’s amazingly together for something that’s only been reconstituted
for a handful of shows. No idea of the set list as I’m unfamiliar with
most of their recorded output but the surprise bonus of Kim Salmon on guitar
made for something special. Dave’s leather bodice was something of a fashion
highlight too. (We’d show you but a defective memory stick in the digital
camera means the images are lost forever). The surprise Scientists inclusion
in the set, "We Had Love", positively steams.
Ed Kuepper’s in stripped-back mode on the second stage (inside the Roma
Room, now re-dubbed the Departure Lounge) which means him, a drummer and a bunch
of effects pedals. I haven’t seen him with his full band for a few years
but every Kuepper show is a delight, whatever the configuration. The fact is
that Ed’s shown more musical movement in a forward direction than a barnful
of Christians at a progressive square dance, and tonight’s a mix of new
songs and the usual broad catalogue of familiar ones pleases most people.
Ups & Downs never occupied much of my time as a punter a decade-and-a-half
ago and seem competent enough but uninspiring as they deliver their set on the
main stage. They’re also the only band here to have had anything approaching
mainstream chart success (their "Lit by the Fuse" and "Moments
Away" single being the ‘hits’). Can't quite put my finger on
it but they're OK, just nothing special.
X bassman Ian Rilen.
Quite special, on the other hand, is the presence of X in the Departure Lounge,
these days boasting a second guitarist in Geoff Holmes and a new drummer in
Cathy Synnerdahl. Recent reviewer in these pages, Richard Sharman, made a sage
observation, post-gig: Without playing down the contribution of the new members,
X is essentially Steve Lucas and Ian Rilen whose interaction is, by now, almost
second nature. Holmes and Synnerdahl play off them, but it's Rilen and Lucas
who are the heart and soul of the band.
At various times in the past, X live has been a shambolic experience. Line-ups
threatened to (and did) fall apart, such was the state of relationships (and
band members). Things are obviously relaxed right now. Rilen and Lucas exchange
grins throughout and embrace towards the end of the set. It's touching, but
the pair does have a special bond.
Up close and personal
with X's Steve Lucas.
This is a controlled, focussed X, maybe more so than at any time in the last decade. The sheer visceral nature of the music has always been compelling, but it's tight and powerful and more direct than a knee to the balls (and much more enjoyable).
And fucking loud.
Ian Rilen gets "The Feel".
What to say about the set? "Mother" remains a chilling piece of angst and should never leave the playlist. "Where Did I Go Wrong" (from the new E.P.) and "I Love Rock and Roll" (the title tune) are intense. "Dipstick" remains iconic. No demeaning former drummer Cathy Green's contribution over the life of the band (or the late Steve Cafiero's pounding work either) but Synnerdahl seems to contribute the best of both worlds, with swing AND power. And second guitarist Holmes fills the guitar gaps nicely.
From "TV Blues" at the outset to a stinging "Sad Day's Girl"
towards the end, this was a tour de force. These guys are playing better than
ever.
My ears are still ringing two days later but I'm not complaining. -
The Barman
