Kustom Kulture
The Basics, The Satellites, Slingshot Dragster, Captain Carbuncle & The Cosmonauts
Highway Inn
Fri 16 to Sun 18 March



The opening night of this annual three day rock'n'roll festival (although 'weekender' is the preferred term) was a hoot for this Kustom Kulture virgin, one of those events I have been meaning to get along to for years. It is a Fringe event this year, it's third, and by all accounts the sound is much improved, however the lighting left a bit to be desired. The event celebrates a love of 50's Americana, early rock'n'roll, snappy dressing and dancing, all of which was out in spades. Three local groups were on the bill plus The Basics from Melbourne, and all take the inspiration for their sound from a range of genres that predate the psychedelic era - the adolescence of rock music.

Arriving part way through Captain Carbuncle & The Cosmonauts, their infectious old time hillbilly style did not attract anyone to the wide open parquetry dance floor but sounded great as they swung through their feel good repertoire, including a rousing version of John, The Revelator and continued the gospel feel with the encore Yeah! Compare DJ Jes, had the air of an eighties DJ lost in Bandstand, introduced and brought each act out again for encores, a nice touch alongside the profuse appreciation of sponsors. Taking a diversion into a surf sound were the brilliant Slingshot Dragster, playing instrumental soundtracks which evoke surf movies, The Shadows and spooky swamp stylings, inspiring all sorts of mad dance moves. Godfather of the sound Dick Dale gives a guiding hand to the sound, and they pay homage with a cover, but this local group have a cool range of originals which contribute to the genre, adding the rich Farfisa sound to the tremolo guitar, and some nice work with tambourine and cow bell. They are an instant feel good dance band with a difference.

The Satellites were clear favourites on the night, truest to the rockabilly look and sound, and it didn't take long for rock'n'roll dancing couples - twentysomethings to septugenarians - to be swinging each other about the floor with some fine footwork, truly a joy to watch. And it wasn't only couples, finely tailored frocks were swaying as chicks strolled in a line to the slower tunes. Singer Belinda Hartman charmed the audience with her true image and sound of the era, as she lead the quartet through a range of rockabilly and western swing tunes, with more than a touch of country that included a faithful version of Jackson amongst their largely original set.

The stunning thing about the Kustom Kulture Weekender is all bands - on this night at least, and I presume for the whole weekend - played mostly original songs within their genre, developing a body of work within a sound that is both fresh and familiar. Burlesque dancer Cherry Valens performed a cheeky, sultry number before The Basics played the field of early to mid sixties rock and pop, starting out sounding a little Northern soul, the drummer/singer possessed of a tender, high vocal. The crowd had some reticence to this new act from interstate, with their two tone look of Beatles- style suits starting out with a melange of early- mid sixties pop that wasn't quite firing. Their set shifted into a soulful gear featuring a Green Onions style instrumental and a nicely paced cover of early American garage band The Sonics Have Love Will Travel later in the set, by which time there were a few brave couples still cutting the moves, joined by groups of girls - and the occasional guy - stepping to the beat also. The Basics loosened up for a decidedly Brit-rock ending to a fantastic night of music. And not only music, but bowling shirts and hot rods, tattoos and swing skirts were all on offer at this fantastic sub-cultural event.

Narelle Walker