Salty, Vespertine, Von Hyder. Wednesday 26 October
Jager Uprising @ The Greyhound. Wednesday October 26. Presented by Inpress.
Vespertine had played earlier this year. The difference since
the last show was unbelievable. Whilst the first song was a bit shaky once the band hit their straps they ruled the room.
Singer Liz has the demeanour of a young Adilita, working hard on the guitar and singing with a passion. Michelle played the
bass with aplomb, her stance looking like a metal player, low slung bass slanting up, right arm reaching down to pluck the
notes. The band at times sounded like Magic Dirt, powerful and rocking, with a melody as well. The last song took my breath
away. The guitars welled up out of the speakers and the sound filled my being. The song had some distinctive parts. The first
part was the song, then it went sort of free form with Woody on guitar just pumping out some great soulful lead breaks, the
song threatening to get out of control and descend into a guitar feedback frenzy, but the band brought the sound down and
then moved it in another direction. Amazing. (review by Neil Wedd)
VESPERTINE: They're a lot younger than Van-whatsit.
The drummer hits the shit hard and his toe tapping is good. The guitarist is a lot more expressive. If you overlook
his typical 'guitar-nerd' status, he's a wailing, wah-wah axe murderer. Good bending with reverb. Tremolo, vibrato,
squealin' -atmospheric guitarist. He's not above rippin the stage up either.
Girl bassplayer is solid at the bottom end. You gotta love a
girl with a bass. Even if they can only play 'Running with the Devil' it's still worth lying about where you live if she wants
to split a cab.
They got a 'College rock' sound. Like their songs would be in
a teen drama produced by Aaron Speling. It's nice… topped with heavy drums and sick guitar. They churn out
a spot of 3-part-harmonies. Good kids.
Now, their lead singer, isn't a femme fatale. She's an adorable
thing. Cotton singlet and Converse Allstars. Long brown hair, rosy cheeks.
You wouldn't go home with her if she asked you…You'd disappoint
her by sheepishly holding her hand for a bit and then going home and watching Letterman and wishing, just wishing that you'd
mustered the balls to kiss her.
I'd get a cab to Frankston for Vespertine's adorable lead singer.
And I sure would leave her confused and disappointed, failing to find my balls as I embark on a 6 hour walk, back to my house…
neither me, nor her, emotionally touched or even remotely aroused.
The Bass player tells us that she saw a chick with incredibly long
arms today. Now that's the best "…Guess what happened to me today…" anecdote that I've heard in a while.
The Bass player smiles a whole bunch, which is really nice.
GO VESPERTINE. Crash, wail, sing little girls. Beware
of long appendages and kids, you'll make it.
At the end of the set, the guitarist gets on one knee and turns the
nobs on all his pedals and as he walks towards his amp, the final groan of feedback turns into a multi-delay, electric birdsong.
Genius.
"…Fantastic set…" Indeed, Neil.
(review by the Archangel Michael)
Cloud City, Vocoder (NZ), Vespertine. Wednesday June 22
Jager Uprising @ The Greyhound. Presented by Inpress.
VESPERTINE: It starts with a squall of guitars
and drums that has your attention. Then the sweet female voices get your attention. Magic Dirt springs to mind. Modern rock,
sweetened out. A balanced band, two guys, two girls playing a sound that speaks of today but also harks back to The Clouds
and The Falling Joys. Good material that is on its way to having a future. A bit of work is required to sweeten the vocals
up, and maybe the drummer could not hit so hard, but that's par for the course. Well judged feedback reminds you that its
got teeth to the sound. (review by Neil Wedd)
