Opening three-piece Andy White & Sebastikat proved to be a great fit for the show. Weaving their way through some quirky and highly original material, with memorable song titles like ‘Jesus In A Cadillac’, it was a likeable way to kick off proceedings.
The Australian musical landscape in the mid to late 80s was dominated by what could only be described as a ‘one size fits all’ musical meat tray consisting primarily of Barnsey, Farnsey, Diesel, & INXS. These four seemed to completely rule the local scene. Thankfully, bands like Boom Crash Opera arrived to offer some sort of variance and contrast.
Formed in 1985, their success was instant, releasing a string of highly popular singles and albums over the next five years.
Fading from view somewhat over the past ten years, they were back on Saturday night before an impressive crowd at the Northcote Social Club. It was a refreshing change to see a audience of a ‘certain age’ at the venue, usually overrun with hipsters with beards that would make Ned Kelly jealous.
‘Great Wall’, one of the band’s biggest tracks from their heyday, was a stunning choice for a kick off song to their set, drawing the adoring crowd right up front and centre. Lead singer Dale Ryder exuded charisma and absolute charm throughout the show, strikingly dressed in white against the more subdued colours of the rest of the band members.
One of the most admirable qualities about this group is their emotional warmth and sense of humour, none more evident than when lead guitarist Peter Farnan asked the crowd, “You know when heritage bands do the new song? Here it is!” Never nasty or caustic, the banter between the band members and their interaction with the audience created an incredibly warm atmosphere on an emotional level.
The quintet kept a really nice balance between more recent material and the songs that they became so well known for back in the 80s. To their credit, alongside the big hits such as ‘Dancing In The Storm’, ‘Bettadaze’, ‘Onionskin’, and an utterly electric version of ‘The Best Thing’, some lesser known album tracks were spotlighted, such as ‘Ain’t It Love?’ and the experimental ‘Dissemble’, with Farnan on lead vocals.
Sonically, the band has never been better. Ryder proved himself to be a highly personable and affable frontman. Not only in great voice, no doubt polished by the years of his Sunday night residency spots at The Esplanade Hotel in St Kilda, he really connected with the crowd, occasionally jumping next to fans and posing for photos.
The other linchpin of this group is Farnan. Sporting a Fender Telecaster guitar held together with what looked like gaffer tape, a hope, and a prayer, he has a great sense of feel and tone in his approach to playing his chosen instrument. The ethereal, Middle Eastern guitar twang of ‘The Best Thing’ was a great example.
Finishing off a hugely enjoyable set with their first big single ‘Hands Up In The Air’ was a truly great moment. Earlier, the band also said hello to a gentleman from the States that had come all the way to Northcote specifically for this gig! It was a wonderful moment that highlighted the sentiment that you don’t choose the music you love; sometimes, it chooses you.
While seeing bands from the past can be something of a double-edged sword, this show was a triumph and a hell of a lot of fun.
