Project Description
Nick Oliveri + Puck + The Southern River Band + The Floors @ Rosemount Hotel 02/04/17 (Live Review)
Puck was one of the most logical choices to open the show for Nick Oliveri on Sunday night at the Rosemount, especially seeing as guitarist Steven Turnock resembles the man himself and recently performed Oliveri’s part in a QOTSA tribute.
They opened up to a small crowd with Built On Guilt, Kicking In and Circular World and those that made it down early were loving it. Heads were moving in unison while they let the music wash over them. If you haven’t seen Puck before, their music is dark, slow, gritty, grungy and guttural with lead singer Liam Young also playing drums and Shaun McIlroy on bass.
“This is our last song. It definitely doesn’t go for more than 5 minutes. Cheers for having us!” Young said as they finished their set with FOMO. Puck really helped to set the scene and prepared those there for the aural pleasures that were to still to come.
The next band, The Southern River Band, took the stage. For those of you who haven’t had the pleasure, let’s set the scene for you now. Imagine all the 70’s/80s bands with bad hair, cheesy outfits that you would only wear now if you were going to a fancy dress party and roll them all into one. For you older readers, throw in the character Poida from Full Frontal and you have your frontman Callum Kramer.
They started their extremely frenetic set with Ciggies and Chimney and blew everyone away with their sound. “Southern River Band are here to party! Don’t bring the rest of us down!” Kramer told the room laughing. Their whole attitude, the fact that they do not take themselves seriously and the fact that they are clearly enjoying themselves on stage are gives this band their charm.
If you haven’t seen them, you really need to do yourself a favour and go check them out. They are exactly what is missing in today’s flavour of rock music. Even if you are in a bad mood beforehand, they will ensure that you leave with a massive smile plastered over your face.
The man of the hour came out and had nothing but smiles for the audience. “Perth! It’s been a long time. Last time I came, I was with my friends” Oliveri told us.
He started with Green Machine, Bloody Hammer and a song that “I wrote for my first ex wife” Gonna Leave You.
From the moment that Oliveri stepped out on stage, his presence alone had the whole audience captivated and singing along. For some, it was almost overwhelming. He showed us just how talented he is and how versatile his voice is. He can go from that captivatingly sublime voice to the screaming lyrics of Invisible Like The Sky and You Think I Ain’t Worth A Dollar, But I Feel Like A Millionaire.
One thing that is good about seeing artists like this do acoustic shows is that they are usually more intimate, you get to hear some of the stories behind the songs and the artists are stripped bare. Although in Oliveri’s case, he admitted that he felt more naked on stage with his clothes on than he ever did without.
He played hit after hit, including Love Has Passed Me By, Surf & Destroy, I’ll Fuck Anything That Moves, Another Love Song (another song for his first ex wife) and, after telling the audience that he needed everyone who knew the words to get up on stage, Feel Good Hit Of The Summer.
He finished his set with Outlaw Scumfuc (GG Allin) and a “song that can’t be played acoustic so I am just gonna sing it” Six Shooter. His vocals were that good that he gave the crowd chills.
The Floors closed the night with their down-right and dirty version of blues. With the ever unassuming yet extremely powerful vocals of singer Luke Dux, the powerhouse drummer Ashley Doodkoote and the exremely talented bass player Ryan Dux.
They played Medicated, Meat, Pick Up Your Bones, Built From Bones and Pills and just completed the insane night of music.
Who are The Floors you ask? Only one of the most talented bands in Perth and the perfect support to play with Oliveri who finally came out with his shirt off towards the end of their set to play two Kyuss songs, Thumb and Mondo Generator and then finished off with the last song that he ever played in Queens Of The Stone Age Quick And To The Pointless.
With the supports, there are times that the wrong acts are chosen that just do not compliment the main act. However, tonight, all three support bands did not just compliment the main act but helped to ensure that it was one of the best nights that many people had had in ages.
Nick Oliveri is one of the most unassuming guys in rock and was only too happy and humbled to mingle with the fans before, during and after the show and was happy to pose for photos and just have a good chat/laugh with us. It’s not often that someone of his calibre will do that these days. So from all us fans, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts and can’t wait to see you back here again soon.
Nick Oliveri
Reviewer Details
- Karen Lowe