GIG REVIEW | Gold Fields, Millions, Crash The Curb @ Transit Bar | Nov 10
REVIEWER: Duncan Jake.
SHOOTER: Ben Davies [view gallery]
So there I was…
Standing outside the side alley of Transit Bar. Such a beautiful balmy night, I was glad to be spending it in the company of two highly recommended live acts: Gold Fields and Millions.
Wanting to catch the start of Millions (JJJ Unearthed Splendour In The Grass 2011) I continued down into the guts of the bar, just shy of 9pm. I could already hear the squawk of an amped up guitar accompanied by the well-timed crash of cymbals. Had Millions started already? No. It was in fact Canberra-born punk & roll duo Crash The Curb (Adam Bridges and Grace Smith). This news bugged me a little, as there was no mention anywhere in the promo of them opening – Transit, you should be celebrating your local supports more! *Clucks tongue*
Moving on. I know Crash The Curb to be a fun band. Although the guitar/drums combo can look rather lean up on stage, their sound manages to force its way into every crevice of the bar. Their music is tight and deliciously shambolic. Bridges’ splintery vocal has a mischievous charm about it, and Smith is so wrapped up in her drumming. Their musical chemistry is definitely a winning feature. My only criticism is that, tonight, the set seems a bit of a ‘jam-by-numbers’ opening slot. Their music possess a heap of attitude but their overall performance still needs a bit more personality. If they worked harder on forging a connection with their audience, it would take their performance to the next level and distinguish their talent from all of the dime-a-dozen indie bands out there.
Next up, Brisbane four-piece, Millions. After banging out a few notes for levels, front man Dominic Haddad sidles up to the mic and they instantly launch into “Champagne”. The music slices through the venue and everyone stands at attention. A few people make their way to the center of the dance floor. The boys are playing super-tight and the energy of the song has managed to enhance the head of my beer, which had faded during the changeover. Millions are 60s Brit pop meets 50s American high school prom. The crowd is really warming to them. There is obviously talent on stage. A terrific combination of lo-fi guitar, smatterings of syncopated snare hits and cymbals that swell and recede, and tumbling, washed out backing vocals contrasting Haddad’s casual, jazz tinted voice.
The entire set rips along, featuring a painfully suitable rendition of “Do You Want To Know A Secret” (The Beatles) and their latest jam “Guru”. Their sound is nothing new, but their music is rich and boasts songwriting beyond their years.
The main attraction: Gold Fields from Ballarat. The stage lights go out. Anticipation builds. Gold Fields explode into a cataclysmic, drum-fueled frenzy. It’s the stormy opening of “The Woods” – track three on their debut self-titled EP. The five-piece offer a fleshy indie dance vibe, repping a separately manned rhythm section, complimenting and dueling with the stage kit. More cowbell, anyone? Their sound possesses a magical rhythmic power over the crowd, those chimes and heavenly synths really get under the skin. Everyone is into it.
Three songs in, and the band substitute their dance tempo for the lazy hip hop groove of “Holy No”. For me this is the stand out track from the EP. It displays versatility of their sound and songwriting, and perhaps an insight into their hopeful longevity as recording artists.
They pick up the pace for the remainder of the set, and although they only have about 7 songs in their performance, they have an ace in the hole: a flawless cover of “Born Slippy” (Underworld), the end of which they wash cleverly into the intro of “Treehouse”.
Gold Fields song writing is impeccable: calculated hooks and arrangements – nothing cheesy or desperate for sing-along value. I do believe they will have to work hard to stand out in a genre where many hopefuls become industry “wall-paper”.
The Gold Fields EP is a tidy introduction as an indie dance act. Let’s see how much substance they can bring to a full length LP.
> RECOMMENDED | Gold Fields EP [iTunes]
> MILLIONS
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