Review: Crywank at Wrangler Studios, Melbourne, November 2nd, 2019
Ever since James Clayton gave birth to his Crywank project a decade ago, he’s been in a constant battle with the preconceived notions of its name. With Clayton turning to music following a breakup, both the band and its name took influence from the idea of making oneself feel better when sad.
Before long, Crywank had gone from being bedroom recordings into a full-time project, with a number of albums, demo releases, and Simpsons-inspired tributes being complemented by a shows all around the world, including a visit to Australia in 2017.
Earlier this year, Clayton announced to great excitement that he and drummer Dan Watson would be heading back to Australia for another run of dates.
Sadly though, the good news of this tour was then dampened somewhat with the revelation that this would be the last chance Aussie fans would get to see them live, with Crywank set to be put to bed in 2020.
Following a visit to New Zealand last month, and a few Aussie gigs since then, both James and Dan found their way to the western suburb of Footscray for an additional all-ages gig at Wrangler Studios on Saturday afternoon, ahead of their headline appearance at The Toff In Town that very night.
Check out ‘Crywank Are Posers’ by Crywank:
With the rain coming down hard and fast out in the western streets of Footscray, the cosy confines of Wrangler Studios served as a fine escape from the cold realities that lay outside.
As fans of all ages flocked into the venue, they were met not only by the friendly folks running the place, but also the casual appearance of Crywank frontman James Clayton walking around the venue, and of course, resident Labrador Oslow.
While the afternoon’s festivities were initially set to include an opening set by Uboa, a last-minute cancellation meant that the eager audience would instead be treated to a lengthier set from Crywank than first planned.
As showtime rolled around, both Clayton and drummer Dan Watson graced the stage with their casual demeanour, walking out in front of a sea of sitting fans as he kicked things off with an anthem of lazy activism, ‘Crywank Are Posers’.
Almost immediately, the technical proficiency of Clayton’s playing could be seen. While he makes no claims of being a professional musician, his intricate, rapid-fire fingerpicking style shows him as something of a seasoned pro at the game, with his haunting, howling voice ebbing and flowing over these dazzling notes with raw emotion.
As a smoke machine added hazy atmosphere into the venue, the pounding percussion of Watson gave the music the frenetic backbone that it needed, with the pair working in perfect sync, delivering their tunes with unassuming professionalism.
As a voice at the back of the room urged folks to stand up, Clayton assured us that despite their musical content, they are indeed a “bit less sad live”. However, the irony seemed almost lost on everyone as the pair dipped into a gorgeous rendition of the song ”Now I’m Sad (Boo Hoo)’.
Check out Crywank’s ‘Now I’m Sad (Boo Hoo)’:
As both old and new favourites were dished out, it wasn’t long before the request line was opened, with overlooked classics like ‘Care Not For Your Clubnights’ finding their well-deserved place in the set, overjoying the predominantly younger crowd, and helping to prove why all-ages venues like Wrangler should exist.
Despite an immensely minimal setup for the show, both James Clayton and Dan Watson worked with everything they had to ensure that a phenomenal show was indeed delivered. By way of their witty, endearing banter between songs, we not only learnt about Clayton’s hassles with guitars, but also the sad realities of finances for a touring DIY musician.
While the show continued along its course, Crywank continued to dish out their undoubtedly depressive catalogue, providing anthems for the introverted and catharsis for the emotionally-overwhelmed along the way.
As Clayton moved between the almost tender touching opening of tunes like ‘Memento Mori’ to the furious screaming near the end of ‘Pope Alexander’, it was clear that Crywank are an outfit whose music is suited for all situations, and provides every one of their listeners with something to relate to.
Even as we received a bit of comic relief with an almost entirely-solo performance of the eclectic ‘Paperclips’ from Watson, the vibe of the show never once waned, with fans and band alike ensuring that they gave their all through every second of the event.
Closing things out with the furious and wordy ‘An Academic’s Lament On Barbie’, and the ever-deprecating ‘I Am Shit’, Crywank took their leave from the stage, having delivered a marathon 28-song set that covered almost their entire back catalogue.
Check out Crywank’s ‘Hikkomori’:
While it is a sad reality that many prospective fans of Crywank will likely overlook the band based solely on their name alone, the fact remains that not only are they one of the most endearing and cathartic duos on the scene, but that their live show is one of the most immersive and genuine you will find anywhere.
Sadly, this will be the last time that fans of Crywank will get a chance to see them on their shores, barring some sort of DIY touring miracle occurring.
With just one show in Melbourne, and one show in Perth remaining, Crywank are set to wave farewell to us very shortly, leaving us with a respectable catalogue of music, and memories of a number of exceptional live shows.
If you happen to find yourself with the opportunity to see Crywank live either on this tour, or on their final dates before the project wraps up, I unreservedly urge you to take that option, lest you be left to turn to their music in order to overcome the crushing disappointment that not taking the opportunity brings.
Check out Crywank’s ‘I Am Shit’:
Crywank Australian Tour 2019
(Remaining Dates)
Saturday, November 2nd
The Toff In Town, Melbourne, VIC
Tickets: Moshtix
Sunday, November 3rd
Amplifier Bar, Perth, WA
Tickets: Oztix
Crywank @ Wrangler Studios, Melbourne 2/11/19 Setlist
‘Crywank Are Posers’
‘Now I’m Sad (Boo Hoo)’
‘Unassimilated Normie’
‘Pr8y Boi’
‘You Won’t Meet A Girl Sat In Your Room Listening To Music (But Some Songs Can Still Give You Butterflies)’
‘Harvey Milk Shit On The Table’
‘Hikikomori’
‘Forlorn Leghorn’
‘JK’
‘Memento Mori’
‘Care Not For Your Clubnights’
‘Hate’
‘Pope Alexander’
‘Song For A Guilty Sadist’
‘GB Eating GB Whilst Listening To GB’
‘Obsessive Muso With No Friends’
‘Leech Boy’
‘It’s OK, I Wouldn’t Remember Me Either’
‘Paperclips’
‘Story Of The Lizard And The Sock’
‘Only Everyone Can Judge Me’
‘Waste’
‘Part 2: Electric Boogaloo’
‘Love’
‘I’ll Have Some In A Bit’
‘Welcome To Castle Irwell’
‘An Academic’s Lament On Barbie’
‘I Am Shit’
