UPSETS (CD LAUNCH)
PYRAMIDIACS
CLODHOPPER
Saturday February 3, 2001
@ the Vic on the Park, EnmoreTonight I'm merely fashionably late, rather than my habitual seriously late, but nevertheless clodhopper are already on stage and doing something decidedly Detroity, which is very pleasing to my ears even if does turn communicating with the bar staff into something of a challenge.
I remember being pleasantly surprised when I saw them supporting the New Christs late last year. Tonight it's more of the same, perhaps a little looser in places (or maybe I'm marking them harder this time because my expectations have been raised), but still with plenty of energy and enthusiasm and a repertoire coloured by Detroit without being restricted to it.
The Pyramidiacs too have plenty of vitality to their music, but what hits me in the ears and sticks in the memory long afterward are those heavenly harmonies, which mark them as the most serious competition to the Someloves power pop "family" of Dom Mariani (Stems/DM3) and Darryl Mather (Orange Humble Band - and not forgetting that the Pyramidiacs' Bill Gibson contributed to some of the "Assorted Creams" sessions as well).
Tonight their set is a bit of a tussle between the audience clamouring for their favourites and the band, who are keen to air some of the songs from their newly completed album "Nobody's Fools", which we're told is another album "you won't be able to find in the shops" (meaning of course the local shops, since there's already an assured release overseas - Spain I think).
By this time the party is really starting to get moving, with the first demented dancer of the evening making his appearance down at the front of the stage (some half cut middle aged bloke who the band keep trying to relate to one another as a long lost cousin or uncle).
Despite an "opposing" gig by Asteroid B612 and Sheek the Shayk elsewhere tonight, there is an extensive audience turn out, with Sydney's power pop community being well represented. To be fair, the presence of the Pyramidiacs' Mick Carpenter means that about half of Australia's power pop bands are automatically represented. I've lost count of the number of bands he is currently active in, while at the same time conducting a solo career that is garnering glowing overseas reviews (including a review in Mojo that had local musical identity Ashley Thomson declaring he'd "be as proud as all fuck if it was me getting that review"). One weekend back in December, the multi-talented Mr Carpenter even managed to play on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday without having to repeat bands (or instruments!).
In particular, almost the entire Challenger 7 line up is also present tonight - in the one place all too rarely and for the first time in far too long (they're still one short of the complete set due to Stew Cunningham being absent in Melbourne for the sad occasion of the tribute/memorial to Sean Greenway following his death the previous week). Hmm, now Challenger 7 and the Upsets on the same bill... that'd be a night of exceedingly meaty pop!
Meanwhile, the Upsets take to the stage looking very smooth in jackets and ties, though these only last for a few songs with front man Tony Harper being the last hold out, finally giving in and stripping off the jacket after it's visibly soaked through with sweat.
Those who have managed to get their hands on a copy of the band's self titled and self funded EP, without seeing the band play live, may have them pigeon holed as purveyors of muscular but melodic power pop. However, that's just the base from which they launch a forceful and furious set that, simply from watching, leaves many punters feeling like they've competed in the City to Surf, only to get clobbered in the final stretch by a runaway Bondi bus.
Just as Spinal Tap favour custom made amps that go up to 11, so there has to be a suspicion that the Vic on the Park's mixing desk must have a special setting for "shitstorm". At least that's what it sounds like as the Upsets thunder through the contents of the EP, together with sundry other originals and covers.
Throughout their set I'm trying to use some of my new extra fast film to grab a few shots without resorting to the flash, but when Mr Harper isn't singing and therefore forced to remain in front of the microphone, he's all over the stage like a avenging wraith - rallying the band to greater feats of fervor and then leading by example, so not surprisingly most of my pictures come out blurred.
Highlight of the set, as is often the case, is "Be My Cleopatra", though drummer Phil Jacquet must be starting to dread it. It begins with a pounding drum intro, after which Mr Harper is supposed to come in on guitar, followed by the rest of the band. This is an area where Mr Jacquet has known grief in the past. Once again tonight Phil starts it rolling, head down and going for broke as he builds up the drama and tension, only to find himself stranded as Tony is caught up adjusting the tuning of his guitar and unable to come in on time; he stands by and let's the drum intro roll on and on until Phil realises that he's been hung out to dry yet again and looks up with that plaintive, bunny in the headlights expression regular fans are learning to love, leading Tony to step up to the microphone and give a sincere, Las Vegas "let's hear it for Mr Phil Jacquet ladies and gentlemen...", much to everyone's amusement.
All in all, a terrific gig, made all the more memorable by being that utter rarity: a CD launch where they actually had copies of the CD available for sale (but the CD was pressed last year, so is that cheating?)!
- John McPharlin
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