Dirtwater Bloom, Legs Electric
Friday, 29 July, 2016
The Indi Bar, Scarborough
It may have been billed as the I Smell Rock n’ Roll tour for Tequila Mockingbyrd, but it wasn’t just the SMELL of rock wafting from the well-seasoned doors of The Indi Bar: the air was thick with rock attitude and some of the best home-grown tunes we’ve heard in a very long time.
Dirtwater Bloom were first out of the gate with a set of raucous and dirty blues rock. Rhys Watson’s guitar, sea captain’s hat and captivating vocals take centre stage as the band provides a thumping rhythm section, and a wailing harmonica helps to loosen the busy room up.
On their first visit to Perth – and possibly their last in a while, as they’re making an indefinite move to Europe shortly – Tequila Mockingbyrd effortlessly showed why such a move is no mere flight of fancy.
A power trio in the classic sense, from opener I Smell Rock n’ Roll these three young ladies show abundant professionalism, talent, and rock muscle. Pint-sized powerhouse Josie O’Toole thundered about the drums, bassist Jess Reily propelled the music forwards, and not-so-secret-weapon Estelle Artios provided fiery guitar and stunning vocals, proving through a ten-song set (highlighted by Everybody Down, their Ramones cover Somebody Put Something In My Drink, and an impassioned Never Go Home) that not only can they match it with any young Australian band you could name, but they had the charisma to keep the show entertaining even through a patch of technical difficulties.
Local four-piece Legs Electric have fast become the go-to support band of choice about town for rock acts of all shades, and the four piece rarely put a foot wrong as they’ve matured into a polished outfit. Tonight is ostensibly their gig, and they rock it from start to finish with a kick-ass set of high voltage tunes.
SHANE PINNEGAR
Pic by Maree King
