The Vasco Era - news

Inpress Review!

October 17, 2007

THE VASCO ERA, THE FUMES, SKYBOMBERS CORNER HOTEL

Leaning against the bar in the Corner band room during The Vasco Era's sound-check, one of only about ten people dotted around the otherwise empty room, is something different to be sure. Those who have seen the band live before will know the power and volume this trio of young guns can muster, and without the clutter of bodies crowding the entire room, that power and volume is magnified a hundred fold. I can feel the bar itself vibrating under the bass, Sid O'Neil's anguished howl rattles glasses, and if this went on for any longer, there'd be shattering bottles all over the place… it certainly bodes well for the night ahead.

A few hours later, the room is indeed fuller, albeit not as much as it'll become, and the Skybombers are showcasing their rock sounds to an early crowd. The first thing I notice is I've heard this before, other's do it far better, and I'm sick of it. Sure, they're tight, but goddamn, must every VCA music student think they can start a rock band that will be bigger than Jet? Who the fuck cares? I love the music, but the first time round was better… you know, when the Stones did it? Damn. And give your girlfriends their jeans back.

Next up are Sydney's The Fumes, and where the Skybombers fall well short of replicating a tried and true sound, The Fumes totally add to it and then some. The first half of their set is a little lacklustre, but around five or six songs in, the tub-thumping of Joel Battersby and the well honed, muddy sludge of Steve Merry's guitar hit their mesh and it's awn. It's like they started in blues rock mode, but here they begin to hit the blues part harder, and the undeniable groove of a music from a bygone age intertwines itself through a more contemporary form as The Fumes rattle and hum, thump and charge through their set, and by the end there's not a dry pair of pants in the house. Nice.

By the time the Vasco hit the stage, it's a comfortably full room and everyone is feeling the vibe to be sure, which is just as well seeing as the soundcheck ends up having nothing on the main event. I've seen these cats many times and to an extent there's not much new going on, but just due to their raw power, they get you every time. They cover pretty much every track from their record, recently nominated for a J Award, plus a few golden 'oldies', and judging by the reaction they get, they're not losing any fans. In fact, a quick scan around the room reveals they're actually picking up some new ones (read: not everyone looks like they're from Apollo Bay).

There are some odd additions to the set, such as the extra guitarist who's far too serious looking and really doesn't add much in the way of music, plus an older fellow who busts out on the flute, which would have been good had he been holding the right end up to the mic. All in all, the word ‘power’ hardly does Vasco justice, but suffice to say, they're getting harder and rawer with every show, and are more than deserving of the ovation they receive come the end.  Another tick in the box for The Vasco Era.

- Sam Fell

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