THE VINES live review

The first time I went to see The Vines live they didn't show up. The gig was meant to be played at the Metro, but they imploded the night before on stage (two songs in, their bassist stormed off stage, just before their singer told the crowd that they were a bunch of sheep and then kicked a photographer in the face). Unfortunately for The Vines, that show was a for radio station TripleM, who promptly gave the band a 'life ban' from their station! Thankfully, the second time I went to see The Vines at the Metro, four years later, they did show up...

‘All ages’ gigs are much maligned but, on tonight’s evidence, it’s hard to see why. By the time the doors open at 8pm, there is a queue halfway around the block, full of eager beavers ready to rush for a place in the moshpit. And, once the crowd is let in, there’s a genuine buzz around The Metro that’s quite infectious.

If you need any more convincing, speak to the bands themselves. It must be a thrill for relatively unknown support acts like The Cabins (formerly Bear At The Door) to get rapturous applause and screams as they take to the stage. For them, it’s a chance to strut their stuff in front of a large, appreciative audience and, by jove, these fellows don’t need to be asked twice.

From the get go, the four-piece are energised, tight and on the money. The rhythm section builds the groove nicely, while their talented keyboardist tinkles the ivories to magical effect. And while The Cabins wear their influences on their sleeves (The Doors, The Coral, Joy Division), they are anything but predictable. Songs frequently take unexpected turns in tempo, while the odd psychedelic freakout has the moshpit literally jumping for joy. Their next show is at the Annandale on Thursday, 13 November. If you can, be there. You won’t be disappointed.

The crowd is swelling in size and anticipation as Wolf & Cub launch into their own, unique brand of psychedelia. The South Australians have got rhythm in spades and the guitar riffs to back that up.

Waiting for The Vines to make an entrance, the audience fills the time by chanting for their heroes. Few of tonight’s congregation would accept the claim that the band is merely “soldiering on in the face of adversity nowadays”. So, when Craig and the boys open with two new tracks (‘Manger’ and ‘He’s A Rocker’) it goes down a storm.

Things only go awry when the pace slows down. ‘Autumn Shade’ is a fine song but Craig warbles all over it tonight, distracted by problems with his mic stand. And the harmonies on ‘A. S. III’ also leave a bit to be desired.

Elsewhere though, it’s a pleasure to hear The Vines finally do justice to their early rock numbers (‘Highly Evolved’, ‘Ride’ and ‘Outtathaway’ are delivered with aplomb). And the all ages crowd (now a single, sweaty, happy mass) deserves no less.

P.S. And yes, Craig did smash his guitar up at the end.

By Andy McLean. Copyright held by author.

First published in The Brag, Sydney, 2008.