Given that The Amcats have only played in a couple of venues in recent times, it was fitting that they would hold the launch of their newest 7 inch, ‘Peggy Sue’, at one of these. And that’s just what they did.
The first of the four billed bands, Ride into the Sun, played only their second show with new drummer, Florentina Pergoleto. With one or two new songs to show for the shoegazers’ line-up change, the band have happily settled into place and although they were dealing with a few sound issues that occasionally kept them out of time, it’s nice to see a slight veer in a different direction (including the rather pleasant addition of Pergoleto’s back-up vocals and a touch more pizzazz in her drumming style).
Bona fide rock outfit, The Rules, were up next, with their customary volume and energy. Front woman, Carla Lippis, intently paced the stage with elegance, vigour and a tough presence, and inadvertently gave a tutorial to just about every band-leader in Adelaide as to how it’s actually done. They ended in usual style with ‘Suck my Uzi’, a little number that explodes with “I think you need a sex change”, and never backs down.
Continuing the theme for the night (read: rock/’n’ roll), Isle of Vision took the stage. A rather underrated band with a disproportionate amount of irregularly shaped hair follicles amongst its members, IOV displayed a high energy and solid set, even though their drummer now technically lives interstate.
Finally, the stars of the night, Renee Andrighetto and Shane McIntyre of The Amcats took the stage, appropriately dressed in rockabilly glamour, and even more appropriately opening their set with the short, jingly and jangly ‘Peggy Sue’. Drummer, Andrighetto, and guitarist/vocalist, McIntyre, plough through one of their best performances of late, showing a little more of their retro influences than usual.
They exuded chemistry and connection, and often played looking at one another instead of the audience. Apparently not having quite mastered his new copperphone as yet, McIntyre’s vocals weren’t entirely discernible, but he nonetheless entertained a mostly familiar crowd with a bit of banter. Andrighetto was in form, her playing steady yet understated, and her back-up vocals hinted at the versatility this band will display should she ever take the spotlight and sing lead.
They finished up their set with ‘Jang Jang Robot’, but the audience demanded an encore. McIntyre immediately picked his guitar back up, while Andrighetto took a little more prodding (both figurative and literal) to get back on stage, where they played a slow rendition of ‘Rain Rain Rain’, with Andrighetto tapping a tambourine, and both sweetly swaying to the song.
After having been on semi-hiatus from playing live (having spent time recording in the States and attending to life/work/whatever), this set well and truly returned The Amcats to their rightful place on the Adelaide scene.
– Dunja Nedic
