Psychedelic Porn Crumpets @ The Astor Theatre
w/ Raave Tapes, Great Gable
Friday, June 21, 2019
Psychedelic Porn Crumpets have been rising and it doesn’t seem to be stopping for the local band, touring sold out shows around the planet. However, the boys haven’t forgotten about us and played a packed show at the Astor Theatre last Friday night to end their Australian tour for their latest, third album And Now for the Whatchamacallit.
The Porn Crumpets supplied us with a great line up of supports First was another band of local legends, Great Gable. The four piece of indie coastal rock had a huge 2018, releasing some new tracks and selling out a New Zealand tour. As usual, their set was flawless; lead singer Alex’s vocals were bendy and tranquil, supported by rolling strums of guitar, with tasty riffs over drums that frolic comfortably around a steady rhythm. A blue wash of lights travelled over the band, and the melancholic sliding guitar of their latest release Cool Mine Blue rung out. The slower deeper tone of this tune seemed to carry out over the swaying crowd and was a rather beautiful moment of the night. “Cheers for a good night,” Alex said and necked a VB before the band finished off their set with arguably their most popular song, Drift off their 2016 EP GG, a song of lurid vocals, smooth gloomy guitar and flourishing drums.
Second up was a band from Newcastle, a three-piece accurately named Raave Tapes because they sound like someone crossed an 80s Aussie rock band with New Order and a splash of 90s grunge. Their set started with deep bass and heavy drum that reverberated around your body knocking your kneecaps. Yelling a little fire out with every lyric, the whole mood and atmosphere of the Astor Theatre picked up, as the crowd danced to rock-infused rave music, the whole thing felt kind of like an edgy prom.
Raave Tapes played their 2017 single 2U xoxo, which sounded like Joy Division meets Nick Cave meets Australian suburbia. The lead guitar acted as a synth creating an intense 90s trance quality and stretching the supposed limits of a three-piece. They played an upcoming release called Flexxx which is “about creepy dickheads” and is definitely a track you should be excited about listening to, streaming or maybe even splashing that lil bit of cash for that quality Bandcamp download.
Bassist Lindsay O’Connell hopped on vocals for the last couple of songs and completely blew away the crowd. Doing a cover of Heads Will Roll by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, which made the guys in front of me headbang hard enough I got some of their hair in my mouth, the energy that Lindsey gave to the crowd was palpable. Raave Tapes finished off with their latest release, Dancing Because I’m Sad and all the crowd danced to the heavy verse and the crazy great new wave, synth pop of the chorus. Hopefully, these hot up and comers will be coming back to Perth soon on their own tour.
A distorted tranquil trio of guitar kicked off Psychedelic Porn Crumpets‘ set. Starting off with a well-loved classic, the crowd got into a state and more long-haired ya hoos then you’ve ever seen came out of the woodworks.
Porn Crumpet’s deeper overtones seemed to reverberate within the space more so than either of the previous acts and it was clear to see why these boys have reached worldwide fame. Guitar rang out on a solid note, that seemed to appear like a visual representation. Every tone seemed to move through your body the way it’s meant to. Lucky for the Perth crowd, it was drummer Danny Caddy’s birthday, and thus a very touchy and earnest version of Happy Birthday was sung by everyone.
A nice, big ol’ mosh started up with a howl as Buzz proved an early favourite, with that heavy droning of guitars. Surfs Up started playing and it certainly was, a little funky bass and smooth electric guitar with rolling drums before the heaviest sounds you’ll hear south of the equator hit your ears. It was a crowd favourite, the bass and guitar line we’re too catchy to ignore, and ironically there was some cheeky crowd surfing.
Found God in a Tomato featured rolling drums till you were rolling on the floor wanting more and were helpless to stop yourself from having a little boogie. During Hymn For A Droid from their latest album And Now for the Whatchamacallit, it was obvious that the boys were celebrating its immediate success, and the atmosphere was infectious. Chris from Superego (a.k.a POW NEGRO!) has now, to the delight of all, officially joined after touring with them last year. Jack finished off the night with a story about how he and founding member Luke met on mushrooms, and they both gave each other a big hug. Isn’t it lovely to see a local act celebrate all their hard work and well-earned success in their hometown?
EMMA PEET
Photos by Linda Dunjey
