GIG: THE TREWS, STONE PARADE, THE LAZY FILES
“The tour poster says ‘Canada’s finest have landed’ and this reviewer thinks that just might be Trew(s).“
Review by Duncan Mcleod.
Who: The Trews, Stone Parade, The Lazy Files.
Where: Newtown
THE LAZY FLIES look and sound like English rockers. Demonstrating influences such as Oasis, The Beatles and Paul Weller, they took to the stage in an attempt to woo the early crowd. They were tight, with good harmonies and catchy tunes, although they didn’t seem the most appropriate choice for the evening. They were rock sure enough but more suited to pop rock than that of THE TREWS.
They are definitely worth a watch and if they don’t already have one, deserve a residency at a salubrious establishment on a Friday or Saturday night.
Stone Parade
STONE PARADE released their latest album the day before this gig. They were out to wow the crowd from the first chord. Although the venue may not have been packed out Greg, Alex, Billy and the brothers Fouche packed plenty of punch. Greg’s vocals could cut glass and Billy’s rolling drums had the audience tapping along almost subconsciously. Highlights of their set include ‘Black Dove White Heart’ and their single ‘Paranoia’. Despite the unfriendly audio mix on the latter track it still proved to be as frenzied as you’d expect in a live rendition.
The Trews
THE TREWS took to the stage so fashionably late it was the next day before they rocked out. They wasted no time in making up for the long wait, by coaxing the crowd to the front of the stage with the woo of their guitars. They showed the appreciative crowd why they hold Canada’s rock scene in the palm of their hands with their crisp four-part harmonies, excellent presence and positive stage vibes. Having seen them at a showcase earlier this month where they played a lo-fi acoustic set, this reviewer is now doubly impressed as the band showed that they are equally adept at intimate performances as they are at creating a wall of sound they can’t help but move an audience and work their musical voodoo on an unsuspecting crowd. Despite this reviewer’s shout-outs for the band to play one of his favourite tracks (which he later found out the band could hear and just couldn’t get to in an all too short hour-length set) highlights included their killer single ‘Hold Me In Your Arms’ and an ode to a girl lost in the war in Afghanistan ‘Highway of Heros’. An impromptu cover of Powderfinger’s ‘On My Mind’ that erupted during a guitar tune-up was a welcome surprise that managed to delight the audience in its interpretation
Their Australia-wide tour is only brief and will be all but over at time of writing, however they will be returning in February 2011 and shouldn’t be missed.
