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Less Than Jake + Line Of Departure, Fighting Words Adelaide Uni Bar, Thurs 15 Dec  After
what can only be described as an insane interview I did with US ska-punk
outfit Less Than Jake's saxophonist JR a month back, I was expecting
some insanity tonight (and also some hilarity). Unfortunately, insanity
isn't quite the word to describe tonight's proceedings. That sure
as hell doesn't mean it wasn't good, however. Local punkers Fighting Words opened the night, and damn if it ain't refreshing to see an Adelaide punk band! I mean punk: breakneck speeds (delivered by some very impressive drum work) and a whole lot of "oi oi oi!"s. Tightness and originality have never been prerequisites for punk rock, and Fighting Words easily compensated for these issues with an infectious exuberance, a commendable honesty and, most importantly, a healthy sense of fun that won over many of the UniBar crowd. On the other hand, emo-rockers Line Of Depature take themselves way too seriously. They've got some interesting ideas, although they borrow healthily from the emo bank (think Jimmy Eat World, Get Up Kids, etc.); it's just that it doesn't quite come out right. An awkward stage presence and some weak melodies let down some quality - if at times a little loose - instrumental work. Their show tonight didn't really pique the interest of much of the crowd, who hung pretty close to the bar. When Less Than Jake finally took to the stage it was clear that this was what the now packed room had been waiting for. As the band launched into some horn-drenched pop-punk tunes the crowd erupted, a tight mosh forming in the centre of the Uni Bar. The band blasted their way through a set that covered most of their long career, including personal highlights Johnny Quest Thinks We're Sellouts and All My Best Friends Are Metalheads, as well as tracks from the more recent 'Anthem'. They also showed off a couple of tracks from the forthcoming 'In With The Out Crowd', which seemed to be continuing in the more rock-focused vein of 'Anthem'. Well, as JR had persuaded me, the band put on a great show. Yeah, everyone had a lot of fun. And yes, some guy called Chris got up on stage with the band and dry-humped his girlfriend for two songs. All good, right? A fine night out for all concerned, yes? Well, mostly. I gotta say that one hour (including the encore) is a pretty freaking short set, and there were some noticeably and frustratingly absent tracks (Dopeman, anyone? Come on!). And, with the exception of the aforementioned dry-humping and some witty banter from the band, it wasn't that crazy. But, hey, they were amazingly good performers, and now I'm just itching for more Less Than Jake.  |
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