12/02/2005 @ Metro
Darren Hanlon
the Lucksmiths
Ruck Rover
Jodi Phillis
Anthony Atkinson
the Guild League
the Small Knives
Haven�t been to the Metro for what feels like ages, I was pleasantly surprised by the excellent crowd turn out so early on. Don�t believe it was quite as packed at the last Candle concert I went to. Curious also that there were so many chairs and even a table or two in the crowds.
I only got to catch the last few songs of Candle�s newer signings the Small Knives due to the trackwork by cityrail and their continual commitment to upsetting patrons. Just two blokes with a guitar each, for the short period of time that I do get to see them, they didn�t manage to present anything special or out of the ordinary.
The Guild League was better. Guitar, bass guitar, cello. Interesting combination. Well, interesting for having a cello if for nothing else. But aside from the cello playing all that I can remember of them was some silly jokes between songs and some complicated (non 4/4) clapping which the crowd had a hard time replicating.
Anthony Atkinson and an as yet unnamed backing band, apparently a cross section of players from other Candle bands, takes the night up a gear merely by having a drummer. Perhaps it was just because he had a beard, but he seems to be bringing a more mature sound compared to the other acts on the bill tonight. There are not as many songs about the little things like the weather or squash that is so typical of the others. Frida the guest singer was interesting, the quiet final tune was beautiful.
Jodi Phillis. A singer I personally thought could do little wrong. But now I�ve been informed that some people out there can be highly irritated by her. Personally, I was satisfied with her set tonight, though I�ll admit I have heard her do better. A few new songs previewed. Perched on a wooden stool playing acoustic guitar. A fascinating finish with her laying the guitar on the floor and with her hands on her lap singing to a backing tape of a lo-fi orchestral piece with some subtle electronics building into something grand. Didn�t work in places, but fascinating all the same.
I had labelled Ruck Rover as one hit wonders. Some may consider that cruel as they provided the most rocking set of the night. But then, some may consider it generous, as who remembers their last �hit� anyway? Drums, keys, and several guitars. They called the audience up off the floor, and once in a while they even got some of them moving/dancing along. Quite an achievement for tonight. Bright, cheery, funny, silly. But one of the two singers� voice did get on my nerves a bit. Made me think of a jockey getting into rock�n roll.
The Lucksmiths, now with one more guitar player to complement the guitar, bass and that most curious set up of half a drum kit played standing upright by the lead singer. A unique sight in rock. Some very funny banter between songs. Lots of new songs in the set, but also managed to squeeze in my favourites �t-shirt weather� and �the great dividing range�. Sigh� pleasant as always.
If anyone was stalking me they may remember that a fair while ago I was meant to be stalking Bree Van Reyk. Ultimately my so called stalking hasn�t amounted to much more than two or three gigs seeing her play drums for Darren Hanlon, the last time roughly two years ago. I didn�t even manage to catch up with her other gig playing in the Rebel Astronauts. So my obsessive rock�n roll crushes may have lapsed somewhat. But tonight I�m more smitten than ever as Bree moves up front to be playing keyboards/live programming on the opening track of Darren�s set. Lo-fi keys and drum machine antics to folk/pop vocals the likes of which New Buffalo would have been proud to call their/her own. A most intriguing diversion from the typical old Darren Hanlon sound of acoustic guitar and harmonica.
This Darren & Bree show has been the best I�d ever seen them play, Bree also playing drums, accordion and even components of a music box. Am I being obsessed all over again? How about Darren? He was a first class entertainer as always, with lighthearted banter between songs purposefully soliciting heckles and strange requests from the audience. And the crowd was more than ready to play along, some even having prepared their own props and banners! On an electric guitar and occasionally harmonica. A well deserved headlining spot on the night�s bill not a negative on any of the other performances of the night but a fair position considering how much the Darren Hanlon live show has improved. Something I really wasn�t expecting. Impressive.
A top night�s entertainment, fantastic value too, hope to see many more Candle concerts in future.