Thought Creature w/ Shocking Pinks, Surf City, Mean Street

Friday, August 8, 2008

Kings Arms, Auckland

“Went to a party, yeah it was fun,” but if you weren’t at this party then you missed out on seeing four of the best live bands in the country. Credit must be given to Bennie George for organising this gig and forming what would have to be one of the best line-ups of local talent in ages. Despite the Kings Arms staff hurrying the night along due to threats from noise control, all four bands sounded incredible.

Mean Street’s four-song set proved they get better with every performance and reminded everyone that they are a three-piece band through and through. Cut short due to the late start time, Emily, Mikey and Billie didn’t complain and left the stage to a big applause.

Enter Surf City, back after a bit of a break playing live, the guys returned to play a set of mostly new material. While it was little rough around the edges, it was obvious the band had been working hard on taking their music in a new direction. Running a recorded backing track to one of the new songs I was skeptical at first, but as the song progressed it developed beautifully.

For a line up consisting solely of local talent, it was great to see such a huge crowd. As the Shocking Pinks took the stage it was clear we really were being treated. Nick Harte and his band were ultra professional, gliding through their songs with consummate ease and leaving everyone swooning in the sound of perfection. Shocking Pinks is one of the tightest, cleanest sounding New Zealand bands I have heard in a long time; perhaps the reason they are signed to DFA.

I have no problem declaring Thought Creature as my favourite band, I remember telling some friends about four years ago that this band was going to be huge. Perhaps it’s their kindness and unwillingness to work with the corporate music industry that’s prevented that happening, but they still put on the best live show in the country. Having finally released their debut album Teleport Palace, Thought Creature had a whole new batch of fans singing along to their songs and wanting a slice of the party. Despite some people at the front of the crowd trying to be the centre of attention, it had no effect on distracting people away from the infectious and charismatic Will Rattray. His piercing guitar and shaking tambourine was just a small part of the show, but what has become his staple is jumping into the crowd and playing the last couple of songs alongside the fans. Aucklanders may not quite embrace it as well as Wellingtonians, but no one denies the fact that Will Rattray does it better than anyone else.

Thought Creature w/ Shocking Pinks, Surf City and Mean Street live photos

Posted by Nick Fulton under New Zealand
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