It's been a while since I've been the youngest person at a rock show, so this gig was rather special for me. Paying $9 for an Asahi was a sure sign that I'm a real old person now - fortunately I was prevented from any further financial stupidity by the massing hordes of Reels fans refusing to let me get back to the bar.
I was never into the Reels when they were big - I was too young (I had my ninth birthday the year Shout & Deliver was released) and later, too much of a rockist. I'm still not in love with a lot of their music, finding it a bit dirgey, although I like their Bacharach covers. But they were on the bill and I'd paid for them, so there you go. Dave Mason didn't do much for my expectations by turning up on stage looking like your friendly neighbourhood kiddy-fiddler, and his voice took a couple of songs to warm up. The fans, however, did not - I was being regaled with tales of how awesome they were at this or that festival and how excellent this show was going to be well before the band got anywhere near the stage. Between the adoring audience and the band being MUCH better live than on record, I had an unexpectedly good time, bopping away to comparatively unfamiliar songs like 'After the News' and 'Prefab Heart' as if they were old favourites. It's a pity they couldn't have had an encore - the crowd wanted it and the band deserved it. Also, I spent a lot of time yelling "Play some Chisels!" and they didn't do it!
Reels do Chisels:
Models were... interesting. A bit of backstory - last time I saw the Models it was a free show at the Espy featuring the classic lineup, before James Freud joined. Unfortunately, I had my period and despite being one of the best shows I've ever seen, all I could think of was the fact that I had a molten rock in my lower abdomen. So I was keen to see them in a slightly better state of repair, and only slightly disconcerted by the fact that James Freud was featured in this lineup. (Note for overseas readers - James Freud is alternately blamed/praised for taking the Models in the direction of commercial career success, having written the mega-hit Out of Mind, Out of Sight. I tend towards blame, myself.)
I didn't know who most of the band were, and I suspect the fans behind me may have been less than impressed. James Freud is looking surprisingly good these days, having presumably gone on the wagon for real this time. However, Father forgive me for I have sinned, I spent rather a lot of time drooling at his 20 year old son Jackson (rhythm guitar). It's a fine line between cougar and pedophile and I think I may have crossed it.
I own a copy of Alphabravocharliedeltaechofoxtrotgolf, and of course I know the big radio hits, but I don't know any other songs. Most of the setlist was from Cut Lunch, Pleasure of Your Company, or Out of Mind Out of Sight, and included On, Two Cabs to the Toucan, Cut Lunch, Facing the North Pole in August, and a bunch of other stuff I didn't know. Still, it was an OK set, even when they let Freud's other son Harrison come on and sing one of his own band's songs (inoffensive commercial heavy rock), and I was rather getting the shits with the woman behind me who kept yelling "Local and/or General, Sean!" as if Sean Kelly is her personal valet. And I really enjoyed hearing "Modern Girl" live.
It wasn't what I hoped for, but I didn't feel ripped off.
James Freud and the Teenage Radio Stars, Modern Girl
Two Cabs for the Toucan, Models
On, Models
Jackson Freud's band Sonic Dogma on triplej unearthed - don't bother with Rock City, listen to Dog Day Afternoon.
EDIT: Commenter Dick Bukakke/newtownmack has posted videos of the Sydney show over at YouTube, as well as ROOT!, Ween and DEVO!
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2 comments:
It amazes me what you find in blogs sometimes :)
I went to the Models/Reels show in Sydney. First of all, when did these little clubs start getting concert-like security? There were orange-shirted guys with those little headsets in their ears posted all over the club. This place only held like 300 people at the most. What were they expecting at a Models show? I don't think there was anyone there under 40. Were we going to storm the stage in wheelchairs? Maybe James Freud wanted them to intercept any granny panties that were air bound for his face.
Anyway The Reels were on first, which didn't comfort me in the slightest cause it was sad seeing a fat Dave Mason trying to jump around and still sing those poppy electronic hits. I was never really into them but I knew about 5 of their singles.
Yes, the Models is now only Sean Kelly & James Freud. And they are still thin, which is always a good thing when seeing bands performing 20 years later.
They opened the set with 'Cut Lunch', which I thought was pretty brave, and not pandering to the 'Out Of Mind' fans. And to be quite honest, the show wasn't as embarrassing as I thought it would be. Historically, their stage banter was always bad, and tonight was no exception but they had a nice balance of the old & the 'Freud', and yes James' hit 'Modern Girl' from his old band as an encore. It was strange not seeing all of the original members & even James Valentine on the sax, but hey time moves on.
I saw this guy on Flickr has a whole set of pics from the show, so here's his link - http://www.flickr.com/photos/mystifyme07/sets/72157607548675667/
And I'm slowly uploading some vids I took - God Bless America is the first one to go up, here - http://au.youtube.com/newtownmack
i went that gig too.
i wasnt much impressed with The Reels. 'Dave Mason didn't do much for my expectations by turning up on stage looking like your friendly neighbourhood kiddy-fiddler'
haha so true. i felt a bit embarrassed with The Reels, and im not sure why. the fact that the band looked and acted like 'dad's embarrassing covers band' maybe.
but i did love all the oldies pogoing on the spot. i feared for a few hips and hearts, let me tell you!
Freud getting his son's band vocalist up for a song [not to mention Freud doing his 'greatest hits' that werent models songs [ok, 'i want to be your baby' was fair enough since Kelly was in teenage radio stars] as well as doing one of his new solo ones was a stroke of stupid as far as i was concerned. His son can definitely play and i was quite impressed with him, but did it have to turn into the James Freud Show?
Models had more than enough songs to choose from, i dont understand why we got the Non-Models fillers.
it wasnt what i was hoping for either but it was so good to see them anyway. i couldnt wipe the grin off my face through out their set.
it was Zan Abeyratne up there as the backing singer, wasnt it? she was awesome!
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