The year 2013 was huge for The Basics, as both a group and its constituent parts. Tim Heath spent some time shooting movies, Kris Schroeder did charity work in Kenya, and Wally De Backer won a Grammy for his groundbreaking work as Gotye.
Amidst all of this, one of the hardest working bands in recent Australian history not only toured, but they somehow found time to film and record their live ‘comeback’ shows at the Northcote Social Club and turn it into this, My Brain’s Off (And I Like It).
Presented as a CD/DVD package, fans of The Basics will immediately recognise the enthusiasm and humour with which their legendary shows are presented. For those unaware, the trio traverse musical genres with reckless abandon. Their set opens with ‘So Hard For You’, a bluesy, angst-fuelled lament that ends on a Hendrix-style high before moving straight into the urgent and jaunty ‘The No. 1 Cause Of Death Amongst Youth Today’.
Moving through other works in their repertoire – including covers such as ‘Three Cool Cats’ and questionable versions of ‘Besame Mucho’ and ‘Proud Mary’ – it is blatantly apparent that The Basics love music, and love playing it with each other.
Unfortunately, what is also evident is the inconsistency of their work. At times you may find yourself in awe of the group’s wit, harmonies, or the chemistry with which they keep everything together, whereas other times you’re left wondering whether it’s the same band or the sub-par cover band that’s gone on afterwards. The cut-and-paste setlist and only-just-decent production qualities means that this recording, although good, is likely to only appeal to their existing diehard fans.
