The Basics – Live At The NSC : Gig Reviews

Upon hearing Melbourne’s very own The Basics were to record a live album at the Northcote Social Club not too long ago, it would be accurate to say that word spread very quickly. Demand was high, but available tickets appeared elusive.

Yet, it wasn’t so much for the chance to be apart of  recorded history that convinced so many people to descend upon this  icon of Melbourne’s burgeoning music scene. It was more to do with the reputation these guys have of putting on one hell of a live show. And they didn’t disappoint.

This highly anticipated event had the NSC brimming with excitement, especially when you consider that gig-goers were given the opportunity to paint their name on a large canvas which is set to become part of the cover-art of the aforementioned live album.

Opening with an extended version of crowd favourite Rattle My Chain, it became apparent that Kris, Tim and Wally were out to impress.

The night was advertised as an amalgamation of their three albums to date, peppered with a collection of well-seasoned covers and B-Sides that have over the years become show-stoppers.

The Basics have always had a remarkable affinity with the audience, most notably with Kris and Tim sharing some jovial banter between songs – and during them too. One suspects that they have become aware of this fact and were in the mood for moving up to the mic and getting in each others ear as they contended for audience favour.

Singer/Bassist Kris Shroeder joked ‘Wally doesn’t get that much attention’. Yet, despite the underlying sarcasm of this statement the challenge of finding the focal point of this stylish garage-rock band isn’t too easy. Judging by the crowd’s rampant friendly hazing,  guitarist Tim Heath could very well stake his claim for Basics head-honcho. The highly energized crowd hung on every snappy vocal line, every melodic twang of his guitar and every praising comment of Melbourne bitter.

Many of the older hits including Just Hold On, Second Best and Memory Lane were played relatively early and garnered an extremely welcomed response. Yet, it wasn’t until old favourite Lovin’ Man and Sting cover Roxanne the crowd became what one could correctly describe as livid.

Now bolstered with a keyboardist and extra guitarist, The Basics tightly punctuated, yet not overly-ambitious sound took on a new life. So much so that one would hope this ‘new look’ outfit, coupled with their polished sound is a permanent fixture from now on.

Not wanting to squander this moment of attentiveness, they played through recent his With This Ship and brand new single The No.1 Cause Of Death Amongst Youth Today which were both administered with a ferocious intensity rivaling many of their contemporaries.

They boys admitted to being part of a long serving line of glamorized boy bands, so  it was more than appropriate when they launched into a cover of NKOTB’s You’ve Got The Right Stuff. For those who wanted to see some seriously over-the-top boy-band posturing, as well as some of the most proficient synth-blast interjections, this was the moment their wish was granted. Let it be known, however, that for all the on stage banter and humorously delivered stage banter, The Basics never let anything stand in the way of their professional approach.

Although the night was a complete success in many ways, I’m slightly bereft of explanation for their decision to conclude with a Cream medley, including Sunshine Of Your Love, Cocaine and Crossroads. Perhaps it was their slightly inebriated persona’s kicking in, but this ending was not representative of what and how they’d played up until that point.

Whether or not the wider audience will ever get to fully experience The Basics, the time they’ve spent touring and releasing records in between has certainly done them no harm as they’ve straddled their way into Australia’s musical consciousness. Consistently labeled as one of the countries hardest working bands, don’t expect to see them slowing down any time soon.