Why do people feel a compulsive need to go and see The Jungle Giants? It feels like mind control from the innocuous four-piece. But the truth is, for a band with only one album, they make each and every gig an exciting new experience.
The bubbling atmosphere was a welcome reward for opening band The Creases. Bathed in yellow light for most of the set, their pure, indie rock sound conjured up imagery of summer – warm breezes and long days.
Unfortunately the drums were unbelievably quiet, so there was little drive behind the songs. This was compounded by a constant up-and-down rhythm. Where were the beat rests and drum fills? The performance lacked passion musically, which was disappointing given how likeable and humble the frontman was.
By contrast, Melbourne group Northeast Party House were out to blow people’s minds from the get-go, yet they did it so casually and with gratitude. They opened with a massive synth-fuelled intro that was hammered throughout the venue with biting guitar.
Zach Hamilton-Reeves unashamedly threw himself around stage, whilst keyboardist Sean Kenihan was the hero of the band – adding some wonderful electronic flair to the music. Their energetic stage presence meant you couldn’t look away, or you would have missed something cool.
The versatile band could turn from indie rock to a dance party in a second. Offbeat accenting and crispy synths echoed the sound of a rave club, and the drums and synths fused so well that Robert DeLong would have cried.
“Who saw The Creases?” yelled Hamilton-Reeves near the end of the performance. “They’re our new favourite band!” This is exactly what The Creases said of them too, proving that there’s nothing so beautiful as a budding band bromance. The industrial sounding sirens and even louder vocals guided the Northeast Party House set to a euphoric ending.
One security guard threw his hands in the air after a vain attempt to navigate through the horde, as the crowd pressed even tighter with the emergence of the The Jungle Giants.
Singer Sam Hales’ lyrics “It’s alright, it’s ok / I didn’t need my sanity anyway” seemed highly apt as the crowd lost it. After not even two songs in, Dooris had thrown himself into the crowd. Hales meanwhile clambered onto a stack of amps – whilst somewhere in the building a health and safety officer staved off a heart attack.
Knowing how to whip the crowd into a frenzy, Hales announced, “We are The Jungle Giants,” as if anyone needed reminding. Songs like “Come And Be Alone With Me” and the ever-popular “Mr Polite” kept the high energy up. Slow build-ups into punchy choruses with gratifying rhythms are the band’s trademark.
The chords to the crowd favourite “You’ve Got Something” crept in. The singing fans drowned out Hales’ vocals, delivering one of the best moments of the night. The tempo was a fraction too slow though and the song lost some of the edginess it normally possesses. The other emotional hit “Truth May Hurt” proved stunning live, with heartfelt vocals creating an enchanting few minutes.
After the sexy “Skin To Bone” Jarrod Mahon from The Creases joined The Jungle Giants on stage to play guitar – on the provision that he scull a beer, a request from guitarist Cesira Aitkens. Mahon did not fail, earning the biggest cheer of the night. “He didn’t know how to play guitar before this tour,” quipped Hales.
Barely half a song later Hales flung himself in for the night’s second crowd-surf. He sank into the crowd while an eager fan snatched his cap. “I’ve lost my hat, I’m so fucked now,” he lamented upon his return to the stage. In a display of fan-love, the prized cap was instantly thrown back at him to raucous applause.
The first half of their set saw a bit too much faffing around between songs. That being said, Hales made up for it as the night wore on, including a bizarre anecdote about Aldi chorizos. “I ate like three and I fucking hate myself for it.”
Launching into “I Am What You Want Me To Be,” the excitement peaked. Pausing before the final chorus to make everyone do some ‘finger-twinkling’, Hales then led his band to a huge finish
Hales was not getting away without an encore, returning to play the melancholy “Devil’s In The Detail”. Unexpectedly, Dooris joined Hales on stage to sing. Each time the bassist performed, he sang backing vocals with even more clarity and feeling, which was definitely a treat.
A rendition of the much loved “She’s A Riot” saw dozens of people dancing and singing along. The light that Sam requested for the encore cast his shadow large against the wall, symbolising The Jungle Giants’ larger than life appeal. It’s performances like this one that emphasise why they are fast becoming Australian music icons.
