The Summerhouse
Adelaide Festival
Thursday 17 February 2022
Words – Geoff Jenke
Kram is better known as the drummer for Spiderbait, but tonight he is flying solo on the debut of his new show. “This show has never been played before except in my bedroom and lounge” he told us upfront. This show is Kram’s life story told through tales and music, a lot of music.
Kram opened with Alone with You, the Sunnyboys song, just him and a guitar and he soon had the audience on his side. Fleetwood Mac’s, Dreams was next and done in a smooth way. He has a remarkable voice to go with his talented guitar playing.
The stories began with him telling us about the first song he ever bought, Status Quo’s Down Down, and how he played air guitar and drums in his bedroom to the song. Bringing up the song on his phone and playing it through the P.A., Kram showed us exactly what a young boy was doing in the bedroom, running around stage and playing air guitar and drums, before sitting behind the drum kit, playing to an arousing finale.
The next two songs were for his dad, who left him a great record collection. Riders on the Storm (The Doors) again with backing track but with Kram again going to the drums to close out the song. Next up however was special. No backing track and Kram played guitar and drums at the same time, very loud and heavy for the song Black Sabbath (by Black Sabbath). The stage was bathed in red and Kram on the drum stool was engulfed in fog. A very special effect. He told us after the song how he had a love for horror movies as a young lad and that the debut Black Sabbath album cover scared him.
We moved onto the 80’s, a decade Kram loved for its music, citing, but not playing, Human League, as a favourite band. He did dedicate the song Smalltown Boy (Bronski Beat) to Josh from the Adelaide United for having the courage to “come out”. This was followed by Eurythmics, Sweet Dreams, again played with just guitar and drums.
Kran then moved on to his famous band, Spiderbait, telling stories of the band and playing three songs in, O’l Man Sam, Buy Me A Pony and a beautiful version of Glokenpop. While there were quite a few stories during the evening, they were kept short and Kram let the music do the talking.
By now we were past the 60-minute mark, but no-one was leaving. Kram put a song through his phone that he loved and walked off stage, returning, looking dashing in an all-white suit.
The music continued with a song, Won’t Be home Tonight, dedicated to his former partner, who happened to be in attendance. Despite being his ex, Kram told us “She is my best friend and I really love her, its just the rock and roll lifestyle got in the way”.
Then a heavy metal guitar/drums instrumental before bringing his children on stage to play a couple of tunes.
With people on stage telling him to wind up, Kram finished with two stunning acoustic versions of tracks off Spiderbaits Grand Slam album. By the Time I Get to Howlong and Lost in Adelaide, songs that Spiderbait had never played live were now dusted off.
One got the feeling Kram would have played longer if they let him. Yes, it was a self-indulgent evening, but the audience were not letting him go. Yes, there were a few technical issues, but “Peter would come and do his magic” said Kram.
The show may need a little refining, but for me I loved it just the way it was. I could have watched another hour.
How can one man have so much talent?
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