{"id":1710,"date":"2016-03-16T08:35:00","date_gmt":"2016-03-15T21:35:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/greatgigs.com.au\/?p=1710"},"modified":"2023-06-18T02:15:18","modified_gmt":"2023-06-17T16:15:18","slug":"ratcat-died-pretty-sunnyboys-violent-femmes-hoodoo-gurus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/greatgigs.com.au\/index.php\/2016\/03\/16\/ratcat-died-pretty-sunnyboys-violent-femmes-hoodoo-gurus\/","title":{"rendered":"RATCAT \/ DIED PRETTY \/ SUNNYBOYS \/ VIOLENT FEMMES \/ HOODOO GURUS"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A Day On The Green <\/p>\n\n\n\n

March 12, 2016<\/p>\n\n\n\n

WEDNESDAY, 16 MARCH 2016 | BY HARRY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Day On The Green<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

at Rochford Winery<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I could scarcely believe it when the lineup was announced for this years ‘A Day On The Green’ at the picturesque Rochford Winery. Five (count them…FIVE!) seminal 80\u2019s acts on the one stage. Who would have believed that a quarter of a century after they first hit the big time, all five bands featured today are not only still together (and talking to each other), but moreover, are still able to muster their respective counterparts and put on a show that genuinely piques the punter\u2019s interest? Whoever dreamed this lineup into fruition deserves to be amply rewarded for their level of confidence and conviction. As the saying goes, “build it, and they will come\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And so it is. Despite a slight chance of rain and overcast skies, the truly heartwarming vision of over 8,000 devotees gathering on Rochfords gentle incline, in mutual appreciation of great 80\u2019s Aussie rock music is something to celebrate. We find ourselves luxuriating in what can only be described as a very chilled and inclusive vibe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The main screen occasionally flashes up a few friendly tips about what respectful picnic blanket layouts should look like and to everybody\u2019s credit, decorum and awareness prevail, resulting in plenty of room to stretch out and manoeuvre from one area to another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many music lovers have chosen to bring their kids along \u2013 some now teenagers and some still only waist high. I spot plenty of very understated and yet cool music t-shirts worn by punters who look like they could actually have been present when their favourite band, featured today, first played the live circuit. The gent next to me fairly beams when I compliment him on his \u2018Television Addicts’ T-Shirt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As my friend remarked, \u201ceveryone’s got a bit older and cuddlier, but it doesn\u2019t matter in the least, does it? Actually, it gives us all some hard-earned credibility!\u201d And she\u2019s spot on. Those loose-fitting clothes that hide the beer gut, the long black tops that slim down the love handles, those quirky hats that hide the receding hairline, and those wrinkles on once youthful faces \u2013 in actuality, magically seem to disappear once the music starts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

As I sit here surveying the layout of this years ‘A Day On The Green’, the first thing I notice is how good the camera work and sound is. I\u2019ve been to a few similar gigs at Rochford now, and this is by far the best I\u2019ve seen the setup. Everything has been well considered… Security are easily discernable in their flouro orange vests but there is no attitude and they maintain a low key presence and spend most of the time enjoying the day as much as the punters, which is a tribute to the organisers and the kind of crowd that is here today. The resident DJ who I recognise from previous events, ‘Grand Master Baitz’, is on point today with his sets, which deftly carry the momentum and vibe. They feature moving tributes to David Bowie, George Martin, Jon English and Keith Emerson. The mixes are well considered and every song meets with the crowd\u2019s resounding approval.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

RATCAT<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Seeming to take his cue from the happy crowd \u2013 a very relaxed and casual Simon Day of Ratcat takes the stage to kick off proceedings. Joined by Nic Dalton (ex member of The Lemonheads, Sneeze, Godstar, The Plunderers and more) on bass and Reuben Alexander on drums. A smiling Simon launches into the instrumental ‘Overdrive’ which is followed by \u2018Don\u2019t Go In The Water\u2019, ‘Yes I Wanna Go\u2019 and \u2018Racing\u2019. Occasionally he turns his back on the audience and lurches at his amps eliciting more feedback for his guitar solos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The trio sound superb. I close my eyes and I could swear it’s the Ratcat of old. But like all fine wine, it passes by in a flash and seemingly within minutes the lads have raced through an 11 song set finishing up with crowd favourites 1991\u2019s \u2018Don\u2019t Go Now\u2019 and 1990\u2019s \u2018That Ain\u2019t Bad\u2019 \u2013 which, during it\u2019s \u2018Yeah-eah-eah-eah’ refrain, sounds more Ramones than the Ramones!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ratcat\u2019s setlist:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Overdrive<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don’t Go in the Water<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yes I Wanna Go<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Racing<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Go Go<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Baby Baby<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She’s a Gas<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Run and Hide<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Getting Away<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don’t Go Now<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That Ain’t Bad<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

DIED PRETTY<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A brief DJ set ensues before the next band hit the stage. Now it\u2019s the turn of the mighty ‘Died Pretty\u2019. The last time I recall seeing them was 8 years ago for The ‘Back-to-Back Album Series’ at the Forum Theatre, where they performed their classic \u2018Doughboy Hollow\u2019 in it\u2019s entirety. It was a screamer of a set and my hopes are high for at least some of those songs tonight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ron Peno saunters onstage resplendent in his trademark black shirt and tartan trousers \u2013 a definite sign he means business from the get-go. The band are all there, and it brings great joy to see the other lynchpin of the trademark Died Pretty sound, Brett Meyers bent double over his black and white Strat, playing out those trademark solo\u2019s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From the very first salvos of \u2018Stop Myself\u2019, ‘Harness Up\u2019 and \u2018DC’ the boys are here to stake their claim in no uncertain terms. Ron, as we\u2019ve come to expect, is putting everything into his performance and within minutes is crimson as he squeezes every last note out. He is truly an enigma. There are times during some songs where it sounds like he couldn\u2019t possibly have anything left in the tank \u2013 and that his voice isn\u2019t going to last the set \u2013 and then the very next number he comes back stronger and more powerful than ever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The roving camera work is stellar and we see great angles of every band member, especially John Hoey’s keyboard solos which are an often overlooked aspect of this band. Great stuff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A little bit of serendipity ensues when they play the second to last song in the set. It\u2019s \u2018Godbless\u2019 \u2013 a track that has become their unofficial homage to the very band that are due to follow them on stage tonight. The crowd pick up on the significance and bellow the pertinent lines back to the band\u2026 “So here I am, alone with you…The Sunnyboys? – God bless them, And God bless yooooooooou!\u201d It is a spine-tingling moment and is worth the price of admission alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The boys choose \u2018Winterland \u2018 to finish the set and Ron switches it up a notch, lurching into his best wriggling contorted \u2018Iggy Pop\u2019 impression, as he once again looses himself in the spiralling crescendo of the song. (It is no surprise then that I am later informed that way back in 1977, when he was singing in an early Sydney punk band The Hellcats \u2013 he was known as ‘Ronnie Pop’! The similarities are uncanny.) It\u2019s an epic set once again from Died Pretty who have never disappointed whenever I\u2019ve been blessed enough to catch one of their very infrequent live shows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apparently they are due to play a sold out show at Max Watt\u2019s in Melbourne next Friday 18th March. After seeing this performance, I\u2019m insanely jealous of those who have managed to secure a ticket. It\u2019ll be a show for the ages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Died Pretty\u2019s setlist:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stop Myself<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Harness Up<\/p>\n\n\n\n

DC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Disaster<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stops\u2019N\u2019Starts<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Satisfied<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sweetheart<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Godbless<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Winterland<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SUNNYBOYS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sunnyboys are next on tonight\u2019s bill and expectations are certainly running high. Died Pretty have just played a blinder. We hear a timely intro of The Beatles \u2018Here Comes The Sun\u2019 as the band take their positions on the stage. From the moment the band appear and Jeremy Oxley approaches the central microphone, the overwheming feeling of sincere warmth rising up from the delighted crowd that greets him is palpable. It\u2019s like we’re welcoming home a long-lost son\u2026 which in effect is not far from the truth. Jeremy\u2019s 30-year battle with schizophrenia has been lovingly told in \u2019The Sunnyboy\u2019 documentary which most fans here today will have seen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, in somewhat of a sign, this same man triumphantly sports the loudest Sunflower long-sleeved top I have ever seen. I take it just to be another joyous indication of the new-found confidence and pleasure that he still manages to derive from live performance with his trusted and loving mates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tonight the usual lineup of Jeremy on lead, his brother Peter Oxley on bass and Richard Burgman on rhythm guitar are joined by Raphael Wittingham filling in on drums, as sadly Bill Bilson is sick. Alastair Spitz is also introduced on keys for a few songs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I found myself absolutely blown away by the virtuosity of Jeremy when he took off on his solos. It was almost as if muscle memory from all those decades of playing these songs kicked in and he was away and flying. It was just a joy to behold. Richard spent most of the gig laughing and smiling at the punters below him in the audience. He too was having a ball, darting back and forth from stage lip to Jeremy and then the drum riser and back again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One look at all their faces and I could see just how much these band of brothers are loving the dynamic of playing these songs live. Raphael was absolutely slaying it on drums. His tongue was hanging out by the end of \u2018Happy Man\u2019 though \u2013 obviously a tough one to get through unscathed! He is congratulated by Richard at the song’s end \u2013 a definite vote of confidence in his ability from the rest of the band. All up an absolutely outstanding gig \u2013 personal highlights were \u2018Alone with You\u2019, Happy Man’ and \u2018Trouble in My Brain\u2019 with extra bonus points for generously returning for an encore of \u2018The Seeker\u2019 which Jeremy visibly relished, guitar free for one whole song. At the end he was clearly ecstatic and held his arms aloft, fists clenched victorious\u2026almost as if to say: “Yes! another smokin’ gig! Sunnyboys\u2019 are back!”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sunnyboys setlist<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Love To Rule<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tunnel of Love<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My Only Friend<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trouble in My Brain<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Happy Man<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No Love Around<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What You Need<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Stooge<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alone With You<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Show Me Some Discipline<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let You Go<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You Need a Friend<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tomorrow Will Be Fine<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I’m Shakin’<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Encore:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Seeker<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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