Caity
10-09-2006, 08:25 PM
Today's Courier Mail:
Review
The Living End
The Arena, Fortitude Valley
October 7
You have heard the guitar solo a million times before, but still hold your breath and stand on your tiptoes for a better view.
TLE frontman Chris Cheney is in his element on stage, carving up Roll On, the fist-pumping protest anthem that is as good as a track as any to sum up a set by this Melbourne trio. It's only two songs in but sweat is already a freely traded commodity. The mosh pit is cavorting all the way back to the bar. Fists are in the air. Fingers are pointing.
That's when Cheney stomps on his guitar effect pedal. The solo soars. Sparks fly. Cheney grins. You breathe again.
There was a time, shortly after drummer Andy Strachan joined in 2003 when this much-loved group were struggling to match the snap and crackle they ignited with first drummer Trav Dempsey. Strachan is now a powerhosue, and any fears have long since subdued.
This is largely due to the intensity of Cheney, an enigmatic player who still has all the looks and charisma of Marty McFly skateboarding around Hill Valley, circa 1985. The music, highlighted by new track Til The End and old reliable Second Solution, sounds just as nostalgic.
The long version of All Torn Down has been the centrepiece of TLE sets for the best part of a decade. It still is.
Then they move into instrumental E-Boogie, Cheney shredding as furiously as an Enron executive while the corporate watchdog closes in. And if you had any doubts about the longetivity of Prisoner of Society, go stand out on Brunswick St. You could have heard the singalong from out there.
Patrick Lion
Don't know about you but I thought that was a great review - really summed up quite a lot about the band! Enjoy!
Review
The Living End
The Arena, Fortitude Valley
October 7
You have heard the guitar solo a million times before, but still hold your breath and stand on your tiptoes for a better view.
TLE frontman Chris Cheney is in his element on stage, carving up Roll On, the fist-pumping protest anthem that is as good as a track as any to sum up a set by this Melbourne trio. It's only two songs in but sweat is already a freely traded commodity. The mosh pit is cavorting all the way back to the bar. Fists are in the air. Fingers are pointing.
That's when Cheney stomps on his guitar effect pedal. The solo soars. Sparks fly. Cheney grins. You breathe again.
There was a time, shortly after drummer Andy Strachan joined in 2003 when this much-loved group were struggling to match the snap and crackle they ignited with first drummer Trav Dempsey. Strachan is now a powerhosue, and any fears have long since subdued.
This is largely due to the intensity of Cheney, an enigmatic player who still has all the looks and charisma of Marty McFly skateboarding around Hill Valley, circa 1985. The music, highlighted by new track Til The End and old reliable Second Solution, sounds just as nostalgic.
The long version of All Torn Down has been the centrepiece of TLE sets for the best part of a decade. It still is.
Then they move into instrumental E-Boogie, Cheney shredding as furiously as an Enron executive while the corporate watchdog closes in. And if you had any doubts about the longetivity of Prisoner of Society, go stand out on Brunswick St. You could have heard the singalong from out there.
Patrick Lion
Don't know about you but I thought that was a great review - really summed up quite a lot about the band! Enjoy!