Yeah, I shouldn't be out tonight. Not after having such a big one the night before. My legs were aching, my eyes were sore. I hadn't washed my jeans in three months or...
Anyway, I went along because I had heard excellent things about Melbourne crew K-Oscilliate, and the Bird were back from an overseas trip with new songs that I wanted to check out.
By the time I got there, the last few beats of Rastarookie were just about finishing. I blame Sydney public transport for making me miss their set.
After the dj plays a set starting with sharp d'nb and ending in dub with a wicked, rugged flow, Melbourne crew K-O just segued their way in. On drum kit, bass guitar, two on keys and other technologies and one man up front providing a smooth lyrical flow. Like the first time seeing Shapeshifter play on this stage, after all the talk, i'm just a tad let down. It was reasonably good, but not fully special like some has been leading me to believe. The guy on mic did a good job, the tunes were wicked in places. But it's not all there yet. Then again, they've only got one ep out, so it's still very early days for these lads. Ones to keep an eye out for, no doubt.
Then, the Bird. I could list all the times I had seen them live and it may well rival the times I had caught Sonic Animation live. Actually:
Sound of No Sound album launch @ syd uni.
2SER fundraiser '02 @ roma room.
Syd Uni gig '03.
Bird v Baggsmen breaks battle @ gaelic club.
2SER fundraiser '03 @ metro theatre.
sydney festival @ hyde park barracks.
conception day @ macquarie uni.
double happiness @ opera house studio.
cockatoo island.
Bird & K-O @ gaelic club
Tenth time catching the Bird. Totally, unhealthily obsessed. Even when I'm tired, trashed out and aching from going crazy to Sonic the night before, I still find it hard to say no to the basic, raw and primal live drum'n bass beat of these lads. With tabla and bass guitar tonight, complimenting the core drums and keys of Ben and Simon, tonight's set was more subdued, by their standards, feeling like they're practising their dubbed out tunes for their upcoming support slot for Lee Scratch Perry and the Mad Professor. The crowd turn out was pretty damn good all night, but the people present weren't that heavily getting into it. So for a night with Melbourne's premiere live d'nb crew clashing with their Sydney counterpart, gee, it sure was a calm and peaceful affair! I wanted full out drum warfare! Barely broke a sweat tonight. Now that ain't right!