Korn‘s Jonathan Davis was so excited by ORGY that he created his own record label …
Chasing Ghosts with Brittle Bones, Laser Brains, John Will Sail, KC Irony
at the Reverence Hotel, Melbourne, 5 August 2016
Whether it’s hearing damage, the mellowing that comes with the passage of time or just getting fed up with the people-wrangling that comes with being in a band, there comes a time in many punk dudes’ lives where they trade in pit calls for acoustic guitars.
Frank Turner, Chuck Ragan, Walter Schreifels—it’s totally a thing. It’s fitting that tonight’s mixed bill is at The Reverence, a welcoming home for punk, both active and reformed.
Freshly home from a tour of Thailand KC Irony kicks off the night with a short set of story-songs and a voice as high and sweet as his exterior is tough and gnarly. Don’t judge a book by its cover—you can find earnest singer-songwriters in very unexpected places.
John Will Sail has just come off the same tour and is a little rusty. Travel will do that to you. Still, he manages to weave a covers mash-up into his set (after telling us his mates told him he should play more covers) amongst songs from his most recent album, The City Sea.
With the acoustic guitars (mostly) put away for the night, Laser Brains is here to wake everyone up a little—and also break in their brand new bass player. Singer Rich Hall has his glasses strapped to his head as he strides into the crowd, and their their Bronx-meets-Everytime-I-Die punk-n-roll game is strong enough to make you wonder why they’re not bigger. Maybe everyone should be wearing glasses straps?
I’m ready for some more ETID worship and Brittle Bones bring it, which is not a bad thing. They’ve recently come out of hibernation after a few months spent writing and recording for their next release, and that time in the studio seems to have brought out their inner doo-wop band, with some unexpected three part harmonies and mic-sharing to make said harmonies happen. Triple J-Unearthed approved singles Buried and White Elephant get an airing, and by the time they’re finished, the room is nicely whiskey-sodden and ready for the main act.
It’s been nearly five years since Chasing Ghosts’ debut album, and what seems like an unending tour to promote it. Tonight is a rare full-band show for Jimmy Kyle’s solo project, and he’s bringing as many mates along for the ride as he can—six dudes, including a keyboard player—have crammed onto the Rev’s tiny front bar stage.
Opening with a newie teased in one of Kyle’s many promo videos, Chasing Ghosts turn that famous old adage around—the new stuff is better than the old stuff, and the old stuff is made better by playing it with a new band. “It was sick when there was just one c**t up here, and now there are six c**ts up here it is even sicker!” says Kyle with a grin, mid-set. I couldn’t have said it better myself.
It was sick when there was just one c**t up here, and now there are six c**ts up here it is even sicker!
[ JIMMY KYLE ]
