Album launches don’t come much more entertaining and jam packed then the Mushroom Records event this past Thursday. Hosted at the GOODGOD Small Club on Liverpool Street in Sydney, the record company’s team put together a package that kept the room lubricated, somewhat nourished with a smattering of catering and a very large handful of music to keep the gathering interested.
The three releases being put on display tonight were Adalita’s All Day Venus and the debut albums from Melbourne’s World’s End Press and Stonefield. This congregation of musicians was a true smorgasbord of styles. Each dish was going to be quite different than the one before.
World’s End Press shot out of the stalls like a young mare on performance enhancing drugs. This Melbourne four-piece have been making waves on stages everywhere and it was obvious why. With enough rhythm and funk to keep anyone dancing, it was surprising that the room did not go off with them.
With music that is as new as today, but with shadings of funk, disco, 80s pop and other bits and pieces, they were jumping and grooving throughout their short set list. Commencing with “To Send Our Love”, the band members were like high powered bunnies moving and shaking as they played. They wanted to make an impression and they were doing a good job.
With the band’s name being projected on the screen behind the stage, and also on the lead singer’s face, it made for interesting viewing and listening. The rhythmic driving and beauty much of their songs was motored along with the over active keyboard work.
John Parkinson, on lead vocals, does at times bring back memories of singer David Byrne. He is also an entertaining front man as he joined the audience to dance during the closing number. With a band that has been touring quite a bit, it was easy to see why they are garnering such high praise for their live sets. Although his intimate singing and dancing did not cajole the crowd into much participation, his enjoyment with his art was obvious.
Stonefield are the hardest rocking sister act in Australia. Amy, Hannah, Sarah and Holly Findlay are a unit that seem to improve each time they appear. With this debut record, Stonefield are going to make a positive impression once again.
Hannah Findlay is consistently stunning on her guitar chops and Holly Findlay just lays down the bass tracks with ease. Amy Findlay has taken centre stage with that growling and howling lead vocal style that wails over the hard rock laid down by her siblings. Think Led Zeppelin; think classic hard rock and you have an idea of what Stonefield are all about.
This brief introduction to their record had the amplifiers turned up to ‘11’ and the girls have shown that time on the road and in the studio have produced some terrific songs. Hammering us over the head with their driving rock and roll and the first five songs off the release, they were hitting bullseyes from the start.
“C’mon” was a song for the lead vocals to come to the forefront with true rocking style. Findlay’s vocals paired with her sister’s guitar wailing make this a perfect track to kick off the record. “Love You Deserve” and “To The Mountains” were short and sharp head bangers that were met with approval. The Findlay sisters physically move with that familial connection and the similarity in their movements are fun to watch.
“Put Your Curse On Me” ended the most electrifying set of the night. The interplay between the guitars, vocals, keyboards and drums was spot on and there was no extra meat on this song. This formidable band has not only improved on stage but their song writing talents have matured with the short passing of time.
With a short break and a chance for Michael Gudinski to get up and talk to the gathering about the future of rock and roll music, the stunning Adalita and her band came to the stage. All Day Venus is a return to louder more rocking personae. This was evident from the first song which had the band following well in Stonefield’s bootprints.
“I Want Your Love” gave Adalita a chance to throw her spectacles to the ground and showcase that vocal style that sits somewhere between Patti Smith and Chrissie Hynde. These comparisons may be obvious, but it really came to mind listening to her vocalise to this blistering track.
With the room thinning and some in attendance a bit less stable then when the open bar commenced service, Adalita did not have the collective attention that the first two acts had. This is not a slight on her songs or the band. ‘He Wrote’ , a song about relationship turmoil, showcases her turn of phrase. Playing with what she called her new band, they definitely have this one down perfectly.
Followed by the title track to the record, “All Day Venus”, defined the direction Adalita has taken on this second solo record. Look forward to a bit more electricity from those cuts and the same top quality of songwriting she has developed over what is hard to believe such a long career now. Time passes quickly.
Showcases like this give the industry a chance to fraternise, some fans a chance to see their darlings play some new songs and the press a chance for an insight in to how the records may sound. These three bands may not be delivering new styles of music, but they are delivering some good quality melodies and songs that are worth delving deeper into.
