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CUSTARD
+ The Fauves
+ The Stress of Leisure
@ The Gov, Adelaide,
16th November 2024
(Live Review)

Review and photos by Colin Reid (@cdrimagery)

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CUSTARD / Photo – @CDRimagery

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I probably need to give a disclaimer.  Custard was the first band that I saw in Australia way back in 1997 when they opened up for the Red Hot Chili Peppers and The Fauves are the only band that I have seen 10 times.  It is a fair bet that I was going to love this show and I certainly did!

There was a lot going on in Adelaide on Saturday night. Crowded House headlined the V8 race after party, Mother Mother were on it the city and AdeLOUD music festival at the Uni cloisters.  I felt that it would be difficult to fill The Gov with so much else happening on the same night and sadly this proved to be the case.

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THE STRESS OF LEISURE / Photo – @CDRimagery

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First up were The Stress of Leisure a four-piece band from Brisbane. They have the kind of sound that reaches back in time with an old school indie post punk feel to them.  The songs are well crafted and the band sound polished. Ian Powne (guitar/vocals) engages the room and the crowd, sparse as it was for the opening act, provides a smattering of applause.  Undeterred he presses on with a smoothed stage craft as the room gradually begins to fill up and Ian graciously thanked us for making the effort to come out early and check them out.  It is a shame that more people weren’t there from the beginning of the set as The Stress of Leisure have been really good.  ‘Unhappy Wedding Photographer’ from this year’s release ‘It Goes Away With The Heart’ and ‘Connect To Connected’ from the ‘Faux Wave’ albums were the stand outs for me.

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THE FAUVES / Photo – @CDRimagery

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Next up were The Fauves who also have a new album ‘Tropical Strength’ to promote “Is it indulgent to play three new songs in a row?” asks lead singer Andrew ‘Coxy’ Cox. Not at all I thought, the new album is really good and ‘Guitar Village’ and ‘If You Love Me’ are outstanding.  “Don’t worry” Coxy continues “we’re going to continue with some more obscure songs and rarities!”.

Shout outs are given to Adelaide with Adelaide Airport and The Gov being described as the best in Australia.  Bass player Ted notes that Coxy is the most out of tune guitarist in Australia.  Fauves gigs are notable for the good natured, self-depreciating banter that goes back and forth between the members.  After a rousing rendition of ‘Going For My Blue Belt’ Ted asks Coxy has exactly how long has he been going for this belt to which he replies that karate moves are dangerous and he is scared of getting hurt!

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THE FAUVES / Photo – @CDRimagery

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There is a brief discussion of how bad the royalties on Spotify before Jasmine, an ecstatic fan at the stage front, reveals she is their number one fan on Amazon music waving her phone screen at the band.Fauves fans aren’t too numerous but we are very loyal and dedicated.  The set carried on with live favourites ‘Right Wing Fags’ and ‘Nairobi Nights’ which had the crowd singing along whilst Coxy and Ted grooved back to back.  Closing out with the singles ‘Give Up Your Day Job’, ‘Medium Pacer’ and ‘Dogs Are The Best People’ was a great way to finish on a high and left the crowd very happy.

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CUSTARD / Photo – @CDRimagery

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Headliners Custard are just one of those Aussie bands that makes everybody feel joyous.  There is just something about Dave McCormack that lifts everybody’s spirits I really don’t think that ‘Bluey’, ABC TVs children’s cartoon, would be anywhere near as good without him voicing Bluey’s Dad Bandit!

They too have an album to promote ‘Suburban Curtains’ and the band are on fire doing great justice to the new material.  The crowd, now sizeable, are up for a great night.  ‘Hit Song’ has everyone dancing and singing along followed by ‘Pack Yr Suitcases’ which was wonderful.  Screw all the other gigs on in Adelaide tonight, this is the place to be I thought!  Dave echoes the sentiment “just google Adelaide best night ever when you get home because this is it!”he looks out into the crowd and notes the number of fans who have bought along their teenage and adult kids “this is really nice, how many dads? How many mums How many kids?” he asks.

I have to make special mention of bass player Paul Medew.  His face beaming all night as he gave a masterclass, working that fret board and never missing a note all night, everyone I went with couldn’t believe just how amazing he was.

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CUSTARD / Photo – @CDRimagery

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So many highlights from Custard’s ‘I Love You FNQ’ from the new album was outstanding as was Dave cutting loose on ‘Couple’s Fight’.  Dave and drummer Glenn Thompson swap places to give lead vocals to Glen.  Glenn jokes “anything The Fauves can do we can do” and they play three new numbers in a row before he closes out his stint leading the band with the infectious ‘Music Is Crap’ single.

Dave returns to guitar and mic and crowd favourites ‘Girls Like That’ and ‘Anatomically Correct’ follow.  “That is the end of our set” jokes Dave “but in the spirit of efficiency you’re going to pretend we left the stage and we’re going to continue playing.”  ‘Apartment’, and ‘Ringo’ close out the gig but the bands don’t let it end there as Dave and Paul go straight into the crowd pressing hands and having photos with fans as do The Fauves and The Stress of Leisure and I yes I did get the fan-boy photos!  A brilliant way to end, as Dave had put it, Adelaide’s best night ever.

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CUSTARD / Photo – @CDRimagery

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Check out Colin Reid’s (@cdrimagery) full gallery of this event HERE

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CUSTARD / Photo – @CDRimagery

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Follow CUSTARD
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SAT 9 NOV – sydney CROWBAR – SELLING FAST!
FRI 15 NOV – hobart REPUBLIC CAFE
SAT 16 NOV – adelaide THE GOV
FRI 22 NOV – melbourne THE PRINCE – SELLING FAST!
SAT 23 NOV – gippsland LIVE AT THE BUNDY – NEARING SOLD OUT!
SUN 24 NOV – Castlemaine THEATRE ROYAL – SELLING FAST!
FRI 29 NOV – canberra THE BASO
SAT 30 NOV – Ulladulla THE MARLIN
FRI 6 DEC – perth MILK BAR– SELLING FAST!
SAT 7 DEC – fremantle MOJOS – NEARING SOLD OUT!
FRI 13 DEC – Townsvile DALRYMPLE 
SAT 14 DEC – Cairns EDGE HILL
FRI 20 DEC – gold coast MIAMI MARKETTA
SAT 21 DEC – brisbane THE PRINCESS – SELLING FAST!

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Press Release 11th October 2024 (below) HERE

CUSTARD
here comes the sun of it all:
latest album
SUBURBAN CURTAINS
is officially drawn

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AMNPLIFY – DB