The ode to the assiduous musician is personified by one of Australia’s most tireless of the sort, Joe Alexander.
Melbourne was lucky enough to witness one quarter of the Bedroom Suck pioneer’s musical responsibilities in post punk trio Terrible Truths. Little did everyone know that only hours before Alexander has graced the stage alongside Dion Nania for Free Time’s farewell show at Polyester Records; this did nothing to impair Terrible Truths’ set.
It was Wet Lips who first caught the eye in a Curtin bandroom beaming with boisterous folk who’d evidently over-indulged prior. Confusion over their band status was put to bed when bassist Jenny Mckekers reaffirmed that they were a “self-confessed punk band” and it seemed between-song conversation came to supersede playing time towards the end of the set. Nonetheless, Grace Kindellan’s Cosima Jaala-like vocals we’ve come to know and love were in full rhythm throughout.
Loose Tooth are crowd favourites, bringing energy, vivacity and imposing band synergy night after night. Whether colourful lead guitarist Nellie Jackson was exercising a crowd members bubble wand or indulging in an amusing wardrobe change mid-set, everyone couldn’t help but gleefully groove to the trio’s garage pop effervescence. It’s a band made up of stoic friendships which wasn’t hard to tell as Jackson and bassist Luc Dawson cheekily engaged in recurrent duets throughout. Dawson’s catchy basslines in Everything Changes were a highlight and while Jackson was often found singing passionately away from the microphone her irresistible guitar rhythms in Sherry well and truly made up for any aimless exuberance.
Terrible Truths’ 2015 self-titled debut album has been met with critical acclaim and on this occasion they perfectly tailored their set to match the album. Led by Stacey Wilson and Rani Rose’s intimidating yet perfectly complementing vocals, fans were treated to technical brilliance and a band exceeding comfort in playing their own music. Joe Alexander looked more like Spiderman on drums, his gangly operation met with striking astuteness. The use of the cowbell in Lifting Weights saw Alexander transform his sound into some sort of mini one-man percussion band. It was a short but sweet set, leaving the audience eagerly anticipating what sound the trio will capture next.
BY TOM PARKER
Loved: The bouncy Curtin dancefloor, making me feel like I was at a trampoline park.
Hated: Crowd members sitting on the stage between sets.
Drank: The Grizzzzzzzz.
