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Review: Becky Go-Lightly
ON Wednesday, April, 14, an original band line-up, of Chemical
Jane, Sunline and sQuire, entertained the Newport, in Fremantle,
as part of Monster Management’s ‘Loaded’ session.
Although free, the gig was in direct competition with a student
night, at Metropolis, and, as a result, perhaps not as busy as
usual, but there was still a decent sized turn out.
Chemical Jane kicked the night off and were a strange sight to
behold.
A gothic/punk looking five-piece, they came across with a sound
more akin to soft pub pop/rock and the image and sound didn't
quite marry.
The band also seemed particularly nervous on stage which, coupled
with timing and level problems, indicated that Chemical Jane are
new to the Perth scene, with much yet to learn. No doubt however,
with a video in the offing, Perth will be seeing more of this
band.
Then came Sunline, a four-piece indie outfit with a happy '60s
pop/ rock sound to the compositions and a different kettle of
fish to the first act.
All members looked the part, were tight, fun and quirky, and
oozed a comfortable and laid-back charisma on stage.
The band's happy melodies and harmonies washed over the audience,
causing much foot-tapping interest, and it’s likely that
this Perth band will soon be performing in similar circles to
The Bank Holidays and the like.
However, on this night, even with a great finale that included
a trumpet, Sunline couldn't shake the crowd out of a lethargy
that had enveloped the Newport. It seemed that tonight wasn't
going to be a night for crowd involvement...
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But then came sQuire! Fresh out of RTR’s ‘In The Pines
2004’, and with a recent EP release that is receiving both
airplay and good reviews, this act was what the evening and Newport
had been waiting for.
The set started strangely, with a simple jam dominated by strong
bass, powerful drums, psychedelic guitar and unusual keys (the
singer actually disappearing to play keyboards on the floor -
strange but cool), which ebbed and flowed throughout the place.
Before this opener was finished the Newport’s back-bar had
migrated down to the front of stage, and that's where the crowd
remained, as sQuire entertained with an indie-rock sound that
built and built throughout the set until it was felt it couldn't
build anymore ... but still it did!
Throughout, the sound was typified by an up-front, encompassing
bass and intense percussion over which an energetic singer and
lead guitarist strutted, building intricate and swirling harmonies
for an appreciative crowd.
Certainly sQuire are reminiscent of a British sound and look,
but with song-styles touching the psychedelic, rock and punk genres,
it would be unfair to draw any simple, single comparisons with
acts gone by.
Instead, it would seem that this is an act that has developed
a sound and energy to their compositions that is distinctly their
own!
Overall, the best indicator on how this blue-blooded band performed
on the night were the cheers following each and every song, from
what had been a tired audience earlier in the evening.
So much so, in fact, that following the finale, all sQuire could
do was simply applaud the crowd, as there was no way they would've
been heard over the noise!
What a Royal Monster's Ball!
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