Even – (with Sons of Zoku) -Jive – Friday 28 September 2018
Words Geoff Jenke
It was great to see Even back at Jive. This was the venue I first saw Even way back in 2003 (or was it 2004?) when they came on at midnight and played until 3.15 am. They followed the set list till the second to last song then went off at a tangent, taking requests, playing covers and at one stage let a girl up on stage to sing Zeppelin’s Whole Lotta Love. At 3 am they went back to the set list and played the last two songs. It was a rock n roll night that legends are made of.
Even play what Even want to play, such is the magnificence of the band. Sure, they have a set list but they often wander from it. No two Even sets are ever the same. They also have fun on stage, talking to the audience, cracking jokes and paying each other out. However, when it comes to the music they are deadly serious and professional.
Sons of Zoku were the support band and I have to admit to having never heard of them. By the time the first instrumental intro song was played I was heading to the merch desk for the CD. They label themselves psychedelic experimental and I won’t argue with that. Throw in a Doors stoner feel and you have the sound. They have a CD (E.P.) out and played most tracks off this release as well as several others in their one-hour set. Mauvaise Foi was excellent as was Paralysed and the finale of Wild Eyes and In Furs had the crowd baying for more. They made a lot of new fans this evening. Ash commented during Even’s set how good they were and said “When you guys (are famous and) tour Europe, can we come along as support”. I for one will be checking them out again.
Ashley Naylor was in a good mood tonight. Collingwood were in the A.F.L Grand Final the next day. Maybe we were lucky they weren’t playing the Saturday night then. This was the last night of their Australian tour to support their latest album Satin Returns and they played all but 2 tracks off the album. No complaints there as it is a wonderful piece of work.
Even opened with The Opener (naturally) and followed it up with Victoria. Ash was tuning his guitar between songs much to bass player Wally’s amusement. When he was told to tune his guitar, Wally commented he did it back in 1982 and doesn’t have to worry ever again. Ash told us his Adelaide guitar tech was on tour with The Church so it was a D.I.Y evening.
Stupid Dream, Stop & Go Man, Shining Star followed before Rhys from The Trafalgar’s joined the band on stage on guitar to play Sunshine Comes and Out of the Woods. (“The best version of this song we have played on this tour”- Ash). The beautiful Indian Ocean with it’s dreamscape guitar work was simply stunning and Life Gets in the Way has never sounded so powerful.
As is usual with Even, they left to set list to play Two Stone, a song I have never heard live before. A wonderful treat.
Rhys returned on guitar for Pretender and what is fast becoming my favourite Even song Return to Stardust. The second guitar certainly added to the lush sound of the song. Ash told us it would be nice to have an extra guitarist in the band but jokingly told us his guitar ego won’t allow it.
Black Umbrella and Don’t Wait finished the main set before an electric Rock n Roll Saved My Life, with a few other Even songs, including Eternal Teen, added into the mix of the song.
So how good was the show? Rumour has it Wally said the Adelaide show was the best of the tour. Yes, it was that good.
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