Toward the end of last year we spoke with David Kilgour, founding member of the insanely influential indie rock band The Clean, who revealed to us that the band’s forthcoming tour of Australia would be their last. We couldn’t believe it, and as such, had to ensure that we were front and centre when the curtains closed over the faces of the legendary three-piece for the final time.
Squeezed into The Corner Hotel in Melbourne on a sweaty summer Thursday night, the cacophonous sounds of local four-piece Ausmuteants tore through the opening set of the night, well and truly setting the stage for the greatness that ensued.
Next up were Lower Plenty who slowed the tempo with their stunning blend of folk rock and seamless, harmonious vocals. Lost under the spell of the captivating quartet, the audience gazed adoringly upon the four-piece, completely held under their charm.
As the light burned on the red curtains of The Corner’s intimate setting, at long last one solitary guitar begun to emit a fuzzy drone, which was instantly drowned out by the deafening sounds of excited applause as David Kilgour fiddled with his guitar, Hamish Kilgour begun beating the skins and Robert Scott begun shaking the floor with his audible bass.
Wasting no time on introductions, the band dived headfirst into the the instrumental post-punk anthem, ‘Fish’. David’s guitar work was utterly perfect, filled with the occasional over-played note or slightly out of time and tune, the DIY and unabashed spirit that personify The Clean and the Dunedin sound still burning true within the guitar virtuoso.
As the audible cheering finally calmed, the lead-guitarist poked fun at the crowd, requesting that anyone with weed toss their joints on stage as soon as possible, cutting through the laughter he said “I’m not kiddin’, you can’t buy weed anywhere in this country!” as they stepped into the next beat, ‘Drawing To The Whole’ followed by the Robert Scott-lead chill-track, ‘I Wait Around’.
After this, DK put down his guitar and stepped over to the synths to perform ‘What I Do Is Right, ‘Outside The Cage’, the three-piece shifting to a more off-kilter jangle, lead by the psychedelic-stained keys.
Turning their backs to the audience, the rumbling, brooding tones of post-punks version of ‘Stairway To Heaven’ begun, the one and only, ‘Point That Thing’.
On vinyl, this tune spins at the five and-a-half minute mark, but live, oh boy, it could have went on forever. Sharing the vocals, the Kilgour brothers cruised through the buzzing sonics and high toned guitars as Scott’s bass provided that layer of heavy-hitting depth, the three coming together in perfect unity to immortalise the iconic track.
For the seven to eight minutes worth of jamming, the power this one track has had on the likes of so many artists became so apparent. This fan having witnessed the likes of Sonic Youth, Dinosaur Jr, Pavement and Yo La Tengo live understood emphatically the importance of this track and just how it has influenced so many low-fi, experimental and alternative rock legends that came after its release.
Hit after hit was delivered in a flawless fashion, with the uplifting acoustic twang of ‘Anything Could Happen’ receiving the loudest amount of cheers, adoring fans completely taking hold of the moment, chorusing “anything could happen and it could be right now“.
The innovative Kiwis left the stage for only a couple of minutes before returning with their off-kilter hit ‘Tally Ho’ which saw raised fists punch the air for one last time.
After a quick thank you from each band member, The Clean in a no-nonsense departure, left the stage for the final time, fans old and young both revelling at the fact that they’d been present to witness one of the most important (and underrated) bands in music play one of their last ever shows in Australia.
