The Annandale Hotel was rocked once again to the foundation when the double bill of Two Gallants and Deer Tick graced the stage this past Friday night.
This was a double bill from the U.S. that was causing much excitement amongst the male dominated university aged audience. Beer was definitely the beverage of choice throughout the venue tonight and it flowed.
Two Gallants have evolved from a somewhat quiet folk inspired drum/guitar duo to a rather more grunge styled rock and roll pair over their 10 years together.
Songwriter/guitarist/lead singer Adam Stephens and drummer/vocalist Tyson Vogel have re-united in the last year, after a five year break. This lull in making music together has changed their output a bit and this was evident in the songs played tonight from their latest release The Bloom and The Blight.
The twosome seemed invigorated to make much more of a racket this time around with songs that are a tad more beefy. For example, the somewhat blistering noise of “My Love Won’t Wait” and “Ride Away” showcased the vocals of both members and most of all the not so delicate drumming of Vogel.
Bands with two members are somewhat limited musically, but Two Gallants prove they can rise above these boundaries with powerful vocal caterwauling and upbeat drumming and guitars to capture a song’s essence.
“Steady Rollin’” and the Bright Eyes sounding “Nothing To You” were well received and the gathering seemed to be very familiar with the lyrical content of their songbook during this gratifying set.
Deer Tick turned up the volume for their offering tonight. With The Annandale now under serious threat of closure by the banks, John McCauley and his band were menacing the architectural confidence of this iconic pub with the volume being distributed.
“Main Street” was coloured heavily with a Replacements-like feel and the ballistic drumming of Dennis Ryan had the crowd grabbing beers as fast as the band could play.
In between the songs, the band were duly keeping up with the punters with their swilling of the amber fluid. It was an excellent portrayal of a young band having an excellent adventure overseas.
Ian O’Neil played some blazing guitar solos, as demonstrated on “Baltimore Blues # 1”, which they could play loud and long and clear. The keyboard work of Rob Crowell was sparkling and high in the mix.
During “What A Funny Word Love Is” the mix of Crowell’s playing and the hammering drums and guitar-driven wildness truly displayed their bar band greatness. The environs of this pub were simply the best place to experience the dynamism and oomph of this young outfit.
It was a fairly lengthy set with the volume set to ‘moving your clothes’ levels. Deer Tick did not wind down as much as take off.
With a galloping “Miss K” evolving into “Summertime Blues”, there was only one place left to go.
Just to let us know it was all done and dusted, Deer Tick finished off with the Ramones-styled song “Let’s All Go To The Bar,” while many were already there, inducing much head banging and screaming along.
The clock was pushing towards 1am and this wild train ride had ended; with ears ringing, beers in hand, the crowd joined the band for more libations.
With The Annandale now facing closure, and the curfew well and truly not given a look-in tonight, maybe this was a sign of the news that came to hand later on Sunday. McCauley, and this formation of Deer Tick, proved they are a band worth experiencing live even if there is a slight risk to the future of your hearing.
