Live Review – HOODOO GURUS / Dallas Crane
The Gov -Friday 04 October 2019
Words Geoff Jenke
Dallas Crane and Hoodoo Guru’s on the same bill. One could almost be forgiven for thinking these bands have “past their use by date”, but you would be wrong. Adelaide packed The Gov to it’s limits on this Sold Out evening, for a lesson in how to do high energy rock n roll.
Around since the late 1990’s, Dallas Crane hit the big time with their self-titled album in 2004 and the single Dirty Hearts. I got swept along with the band but after the next album, Factory Girls I lost my way with them. My mistake. I didn’t get to see the band live till last year and I was impressed. After this performance I was exhilarated.
Dallas Crane kicked off with Wrong Party followed by No Through Road from 2003. The bands playing was infectious and the smiles on their faces huge. This was a band having a great time on stage. Dave Larkin asked who in the audience was a Dallas Crane fan and a few hands went up. “Maybe after this we will get a few new fans” he quipped. Then they played Come Clean, a song that started as a ballad but built up to a powerful ending. The instrumental section in the middle of the 10-minute song just went off. This one song may well be the best song I have heard live this year.
A rip-roaring version of ZZ Tops Beer Drinkers and Hell Raiser lifted the roof of The Gov and was followed by another great rocking song in Tonight (There’s a Party Going On). Dallas Crane’s highest single charting was with Sit on My Knee, pairing with Jimmy Barnes in 2005, after “Jimmy finally got back to us about it”. Tonight, no Jimmy but still a solid version. Dirty Hearts naturally bought the set to a crashing close and I am sure Dallas Crane did in fact win over some new fans.
Like Wow, it’s been nearly 40 years since Hoodoo Gurus formed by mainstay Dave Faulkner in Perth and here they are, still selling out shows. The Gurus are still a class act today and play things “their way”. It would have been so easy for them to just come out and play the hits which the audience want but no, they cater for the long-term fan by dragging out deep album cuts amongst the hits. I wish a few other bands would do this.
This evening they started with The Right Time to get the crowd on the right side, but then followed it up with Dig It Up from 1984’s Stone Age Romeos album. With Rick Grossman on bass and Brad Shepherd on guitar, there is no lack of talent here and let’s not forget Nik Rieth pounding the drums hard. They bought their own light show with them as well which was nothing short of amazing. Dave did announce that “This is a pub gig; we can play longer and drag out some cuts we haven’t played in a long time” And they did. Out That Door, On my Street and Party Machine from Blow your Cool followed one another in quick succession. Then these were followed by another album cut in Dressed in Black from 1991’s Kinky album. Full credit to the band for playing these songs.
However, the hits were not ignored either with the home run consisting of Bittersweet, Come Anytime, Miss Free Love 69, the amazing 1000 Miles Away and rounding out with a full-blown Kamikaze Pilot.
They were not going to get away not performing an encore. My Girl, What’s my Scene and Like Wow Wipeoutbought the set to a resounding rocking close. Everyone was happy! The lights came up, music was playing over the P.A. and people filing out of the venue when the band came back on stage catching a lot of people out.
“This should be our National anthem” announced Dave before ripping into Hoodoo You Love. It was hard loud and heavy and beautiful. They still were not finished, playing yet another powerful song which I was not familiar with. The Hoodoo Gurus certainly have so much to offer besides the classic hits.
Another great evening of Aussie pub rock and roll. I leant towards Dallas Crane as best on the night, my mate said Hoodoos, but no matter, we both enjoyed both bands. Let’s hope we hear some new music from both bands soon. Dave did hint that there maybe a new album coming out. Fingers crossed.
Who said rock was dying?
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