Tumbleweed – with Even & The Dunes -The Gov Friday 27 July 2018.
Words Geoff Jenke
Tumbleweed formed in 1990 and released three ground shifting albums. Tonight was all about the debut, self-titled album, released in 1992, with the band playing it in full.
First up we got to trip the light fantastic with Adelaide band, The Dunes. To quote their page on the internet (thedunes.bandcamp.com) their music has “dark psychedelic undertones, simultaneously allowing the songs room to breathe and fill the room. Add to this the sea of pedals and heavily reverbed vocals – it’s easy to get lost in the wall of bliss”. I couldn’t put it any better than that myself. The music amazed me as I got lost in a sea of sound. I had not seen, nor even heard of this band before tonight. I now eagerly await my chance to see them again. Check them out and be prepared to be pleasantly surprised.
Even were a good choice for support to Tumbleweed as they both trawled through the heady days of (Triple J’s) 1990’s. With a new album out, the splendid Satin Returns, Ash, Matt and Wally are keen to promote it at every chance given. I have seen Even many many times over the years and the one thing that sticks out is, Even are too professional and too good to give a bad show. Every time they play, they do so as if it is their last ever performance, even if it as a support artist.
Even kicked off with a couple of classics in No Surprises and Back to Earth before playing Victoria from their new album. Never one to shy away from their past, they dug up Stop and Go Man from 1996, still sounding as fresh today as it did back then and (“the first song of ours we ever heard on the radio”) 24 Hour Cynic. Ash is the consummate rock and roll show man and according to a guitarist friend of mine, one of the best guitarists in the world. Wally and Matt supply a simple (think Bill Wyman and Charlie Watts from the Rolling Stones) but almighty powerful backing sound. The highlight was an extremely rocking Falling Down from the new album and to finish an extended electric Black Umbrella. Even will be in Adelaide head lining their own show later this year. Don’t miss them.
“It is 1992 all over again” according to Tumbleweed front man Richard Lewis “a time of Fan Magazines, festivals and great times. We are playing our debut album from start to finish. See you on the other side”. Tumbleweeds music is a mixture of stoner rock and apocalyptic post grunge with lashings of fuzz drenched guitar riffs. Influences are obvious bands like Blue Oyster Cult, MC5 and Mudhoney.
A large crowd had assembled at The Gov to witness this event and they knew every riff and word the band played. It was loud and while the band seemed “laid back” (other than vocalist Richard Lewis, who thrashed his way around the stage all night), they provided the perfect sonic sound that is Tumbleweed. Sundial opened the set and the crowd was with them from the onset, hanging on to every chord and riff. Acid Rain drew a big cheer from the crowd as did God and Atomic.
With the album completed, Tumbleweed didn’t stop there. A huge roar went up for 1993’s Daddy Longlegs followed by Silver Lizard, Carousel and Shakedown.
Great music, beards and long hair were the order of the day, as were plaid shirts, but what was that smell coming from the outside area??? It was rock and roll!
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