Spencer P. Jones and Cow Penalty
The Drones
The Double Agents
Gerard Daley
Tote Hotel, Melbourne
June 29, 2002
Following the previous evening's awesome showing by Rocket Science, what better way to prepare for more live music but with Gerard Daley (ex-Stuntcar Drivers) playing in the Tote Hotel front bar, to a small but appreciative audience?
Daley played some Wilco and Neil Young-influenced original material and threw in acoustically reworked versions of Stuntcar Drivers songs and covers such as The Rolling Stones "Honky Tonk Women", Neil Young "Heart of Gold" and closed the two sets he played with the Gram Parsons-penned classic "A Song for You".
Unfortunately I missed the night's opening band El Garsonoroggio; but I then managed to catch The Double Agents. This Melbourne-based, five-piece group, seem to improve each time I see them.
The band being in the process of recording their debut CDLP, have obviously set about writing more original material. The band, are also exploring territory they were only beginning to explore on their self-titled CDEP. In particular, the quieter side more personal side of '60s country rock, as influenced by Neil Young and The Band. Such sounds are combined with more energetic '60s garage punk and intriguing and tasty soul/funk sounds.
What proved to be another surprise was keyboardist/vocalist Kim Walvisch handling an increased proportion of vocal duties, alongside guitarist/vocalist and principal songwriter for the band Dave Butterworth and drummer/backing vocalist Myles Gallagher.
Their killer set ranged from selections from their CDEP and newer material and closed with the up-tempo, hip-shaking tune "The Bottom Line".
The Drones then followed and launched their self-titled CDEP and playing quite an amazingly impressive set. This reviewer recalls the band’s earliest shows with a slightly different lineup and throwing in Johnny Cash’s classic "Ring of Fire" to liven up their set.
The band seems to mix sounds - mainly influenced by The Cramps, The Birthday Party, The Scientists (ca Human Jukebox), Died Pretty and Neil Young - with high energy, out of control rock–n-roll rock from The Stooges, Dead Boys.
With the stage well and truly warmed, Spencer Jones and Cow Penalty then proceeded to deliver their roots based rock-n-roll and had the "house rockin’".
Playing selections such as "My week is better…" and "Trick my Boat Wrong "from his Spooky records releases; Spencer just keeps on getting better.
His band Cow Penalty, with Helen on bass (ex-Moler), Harry on drums and Matt on keyboards (ex- Nick Barker and the Reptiles, Sherry Rich and The Grievous Angels, Lisa Miller Band, Moler, Love Moods, The Sailors), allowed Spencer plenty of room to work within his songs and his unique guitar playing.
Not surprisingly, the night ended with an Andre Williams cover "Let me Put In".
If Spencer Jones’s recent shows in Sydney both supporting The Scientists, at the Annandale Hotel and headlining at Vic on the Park Hotel were great, tonight was just fantastic and proof positive he always keep a certain step ahead of the rest. - Simon Li
