A small audience huddles around the dimly lit stage listening intently, hanging on every word spoken by the performers. Perched on stools and up close and personal is the amazing songstress Suze DeMarchi and guitar legend Dave Lesley treating the chosen ones to an intimate evening of music, tales from the road and a Q & A. session.
The duo from the Baby Animals compliment each other perfectly and almost seem to have developed a telepathic wisdom. They sound as good and perhaps even better than ever, their performance well rehearsed after more than 20 years of working together. Energetic, youthful and in great spirits, a life of hard rock, hard living and touring has been kind to the rock n roll veterans.
DeMarchi’s vocals are clearer and stronger than ever and Lesley’s guitar work is as smooth and fast as many guitarists half his age. Most importantly is the bond and mutual respect between the two musicians and the fans. It’s beautiful to say the least, and without a doubt the audience witnessed two kindred spirits in action.
Heart warming and hilarious, the stories of touring and life on the road intertwined with acoustic versions of the band’s catalogue, make for a magical evening.
The party itself is more a lounge room question and answer session, an opportunity for the band to say thank you to loyal fans for their support. Song requests are happily taken and the stories behind each song shared. DeMarchi candidly discusses her life and relationships and is completely comfortable in her skin.
The acoustic set is sensational, Lesley’s guitar leading and soloing over DeMarchi’s chords and powerful vocals like a well-oiled machine.
The vocalist and guitarist tells of singing for the Dalai Lama and the circus that surrounds the holy man and the old days of doing three gigs a day in Perth with Photoplay and The Rockets. Playing the universities at lunchtime, cafés in the afternoon then pubs in the evening, their stories proved it really is a long way to the top if you want to rock and roll.
They play an acoustic version of new release “Email” with DeMarchi belting out a riffy rhythm section and vocals while Leslie switches between lead and alternative rhythm, perfectly accompanying her all the way. The song is classic Baby Animals with the singer using her amazing vocal range to her full ability with no signs of any weakness. This is classic Aussie rock at its best done acoustically.
DeMarchi pauses to talk about jamming “Foxy Lady” with rock legend Paul Rogers as a career highlight and “lights” an E-cigarette. When asked by an audience member what she is smoking she jokes that it is crack laced with heroin and mentions she is also addicted to cigarette patches. The audience is in hysterics at her dry sense of humour.
The hilarity and amazing stories continue with tales of touring with Robert Plant, Chrissie Amphlet’s influence on their sound, pan Pacific song writing and more.
Baby Animals classic “Rush You” brings the show to a close. The two musicians then venture out into the audience for photos and a chat with the fans. This July’s tour is certainly one that’s not to be missed.
