There’s something slightly narcissistic about a mobile phone corporation like HTC using local musicians to promote their latest commercial cause.
Apart from the featured bands being required to drop HTC’s name between tracks (you could almost hear the cash registers sneezing in the background), it also makes for a very flat atmosphere.
That said, HTC – and co-sponsor Speaker TV – were good enough to dish out free tickets to the show to anyone willing to take them. If you were a uni student with few funds and a penchant for the brew, you couldn’t ask for much more on a lazy Thursday night.
Following the lively Hey Geronimo, Strange Talk arrive to a half-capacity room emblazoned with glo sticks courtesy of the organisers.
Somewhat surprisingly, the quartet delivers a set far better than one would think in theory. That’s no slant against the band – they’re actually rather excellent. It’s just that their heated electro thump seems better suited to the crispness of a studio.
Despite frontman Stephen Docker battling the dreaded Melbourne influenza, they arouse a building mosh, especially when the band interrupts a storming rendition of ‘Sexual Lifestyle’ with a cover of Regurgitator’s “! The Song Formerly Known As’.
Equally impressive is the house-heavy ‘Falling In Love’ (after which bass player aptly poses “whether anyone is chewing their face off yet?”) as well as best-known single and set-closer ‘Climbing Walls’.
The time that passes between sets can be a lonely time, especially for those whose plus ones venture to the bar, hook up and never return. This is all the more accentuated with The Hi-Fi having absolutely no reception (you could imagine the shitstorm if a fire broke out).
Thankfully there was one red-headed lad up the front having none of the ‘between-set’ blues.
Presumably on his own, he was having a wild time and saved whatever he had left to muster for Loon Lake. Well played fine sir – it’s types like you who keep the wheels of local live music ticking over.
Watching Loon Lake after Strange Talk is a bit like playing the original Street Fighter following an all-night session of Street Fighter II: Turbo Edition. In other words, there’s less energy, everything’s a touch slower and you can’t play as Vega (apologies, this metaphor is bloody awful, but you get the point).
Nonetheless, the Melburnians eventually find their groove and provide a number of high-points, mostly due to frontman Sam Nolan’s “how are ya, champ?” drawl as well as his playful on-stage bullying of Timmy the bass player.
Their doo-wop tinged brand of rock is also well received, particularly ‘Cherry Lips’ and ‘Bad To Me’.
Despite the corporate involvement and a slightly deadened vibe, it’s difficult to be negative about seeing three of Australia’s finest up-and-comers at the price of a smile. Plus, not many took too much notice of HTC’s latest wares. Win-win.
