Melbourne locals Drunk Mums obviously know how to put a song together. But putting all music aside, a live show from this fourpiece should still be mandatory viewing for any garage fan, because these boys are just amazing to look at.
There’s guitarist/vocalist Dean Whitby, with striking black bangs Zooey Deschanel would be proud of.
There’s Jake Whitby, also on guitar and vocals, with the kind of cocky Queenslander accent reminiscent of beer bongs and doing burn outs in a paddock basher.
There’s Adam Ritchie on bass, sporting Melbourne’s best mullet, and Jonny Badlove rounding out the picture on drums.
Best of all, though, is ultimate punk showman Isaac Forsyth on tambourine – yes, tambourine – convulsing and staggering all over the stage whilst staring intently at nothing. He pours enough demented stoner energy into his performance to keep tambourine players the world over in business.
Together, they form a unit of controlled, loveable bedlam. Slower melodics mix with thick riffage, and gloriously back-to-basic themes. “This one’s about Adam coughing up blood,” Whitby helpfully explained at one point, before launching into a typically fast-paced, upbeat track.
Another highpoint was a song about Melbourne’s shitty weather. “I just want my Vitamin D!” came the catch cry, something anyone who has endured this city’s winter can definitely relate to.
The self-described rock and roll yobos are Australia’s answer to the Dead Kennedy’s. Un-politically correct (their latest album cover shows a pair of aged, yellowing boobs) but all the better for it.
Proudly unpretentious, and backed up by an arsenal of gritty garage tracks, a Drunk Mums show is home-grown rock at its best.
Japandroids began their set by announcing that Adelaide was one of the best shows they had played so far. Surely there must have been some kind of mistake?
After this confusing anecdote, however, the talented duo launched into a sharp set of the hopeful, high-powered rock they’ve made their name on.
The lack of members makes for a refreshing shake-up compared to many gigs; the drum kit is up front and directly in the audiences line of sight. David Prowse was fully visible pounding happily away, and lending his vocals to the mic when necessary.
He kept the crowd on their toes with a healthy sprinkling of tempo changes and unpredictable rhythms. Even with this changeable approach, however, the drumming was masterfully smooth, the well-oiled engine driving the soaring melodies and dense guitar work of a typical Japandroids song.
Meanwhile guitarist Brian King ping-ponged around the rest of the stage, with an apparently inexhaustible reserve of energy.
He was seemingly everywhere at once; perched on the edge of the stage like a angel poised for flight, hurling himself full-force onto the waiting raised arms of the crowd, or simply throwing his own body around like a ragdoll as he played.
During the faster riffs you could even see the veins on his arms vibrate as he thrashed the strings.
Despite this riotous playing, however, the atmosphere in the Corner was warm and inclusive, in the exhilarating way only a good rock show can conjure.
It also helps that even incitements to “mayhem” sound friendly and cheerful when delivered in a Canadian accent.
Japandroids are infused with all the desperate optimism of youth. Whether this be the ode to “sunshine girls” in ‘Young Hearts Spark Fire’ or the pride of ‘the House That Heaven Built,’ they specialise in emotionally-charged tracks that could still be used as the soundtrack to a good party.
On record this upbeat spirit in infectious; live it’s irresistible.
