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After (barely) surviving the harsh concrete confines of the RNA Showgrounds for Livid just a few weeks ago, it was with a sigh of relief that Reddog and crew traipsed off to the leafy surrounds of Albert Park for the annual Market Day pilgrimage. First port of call was an early afternoon beer, then off to the Ethno Super Lounge where local soundscapers Memory Loss were jamming on some ambient Eastern vibes with members of The Bird (about whom we will hear more later). The lads from Memory Loss were crouched over their machines like mad professors, coaxing out eerie synth riffs and sitar drones to complement the frenetic rhythms of the percussion section. An early treat for those prepared to abandon the safety of the main stages. |
| A good part of the afternoon was sacrificed to the beer Gods as I joined the rest of the caged animals in the drinking enclosure. The sounds of Death Metal wafted accross from the main stage, with Godnose and Segression grinding out song after song of unrelenting power - and was it just me, or did Godnose slip a Morbid Angel cover in there somewhere? Either way, as twilight fell it was time to venture over to the Ampitheatre where a performance artist was midway through an act which defied description. Basically, this dude who was covered with electronics jumped around on a trampoline which was mic-ed up and hooked up to all sorts of effects pedals, creating one of the most awful noises I've ever heard. This guy was nuts, hurling himself off the tramp and through the springs with total disregard for his own safety. 0 for artitstic merit, but 10 out of 10 for entertainment value. |
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It was The Bird that Reddog and crew were here to see, and they certainly didn't disappoint the throng of punters who surged towards the stage before they'd even played a note. Today's 30 minute set barely gave them a chance to warm up, which is a shame, because The Bird in full flight are like no other band on the planet. With special guest Bobby Singh belting it out on tabla, The Bird had the crowd going wild with their fusion of acid synth riffs, intricate drum patterns, and primal energy - without a computer or sequencer in sight. Techno skeptics take note - these guys will change the way you think about electronic music forever. Sell an arm, sell a leg, sell a vital organ, just see 'em. |
| Up in the hopelessly inadequate Doof Tent, Melbourne's Honeysmack was on a one-man mission to prove that Acid House and Detroit Techno are alive and well in the 90's, with all of your favourite melting 303 basslines, 4/4 beats, electro riffs, and vocal samples repackaged (without the cheese) into a sound so infectious you just can't stop moving. Honeysmack has a reputation as a bit of an arrogant type, but how often do you see an electronic act stop a song and apologise to the audience for fucking up? Unprofessional maybe, but as soon as those percussive house sounds kicked back in, all was forgiven. Bring on The Big Day Out! |
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Unfortunately AB Digeridoo Oblivion was having all sorts of technical difficulties, so I staggered out of the Doof Tent and down to the Ampitheatre where Full Fathom Five were churning out some very tasty bottom-heavy grooves. This Brisbane six-piece are the masters of sound exploration - their songs unfold like mantras rather than progress to a logical conclusion. One track in particular was propelled by a twin-bass attack (yes, TWO bassists) so fat that it recalled the sadly defunct Kyuss . Very tasty indeed. |
| The day was winding down, but local noise merchants John Lee Spider were still challenging the keen punters with a genre-defying mix of death metal, hardcore punk and free-form jazz - often in the same song. But as the mighty Soma Rasa took the stage to close proceedings, the Reddog was starting to fade. The time had come yet again to wander off and reflect on a great day at another one of the institutions of the Brisbane music scene - and find the friends I lost hours earlier. ~ Kris Swales ~ |
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