cog [metro theatre]
Metro Theatre
Saturday, 01st of April
Junto has probably never played a venue this big before, though it seems likely they will again. At first, the amount of punters seemed a lot less than would turn up at a Junto headlining show. But doors only opened just after 8pm and there was queuing, so they were on rather early. Anyhow, half way through their set i turned around again and was surprised to see how filled up the venue was becoming. Still, it would've been good if Junto were on later, so everyone at this sold out concert could witness the artistry and energy of Junto. The guitars were especially magical and well delivered (and a few people were yelling out for Joey!). It was most enjoyable to hear songs of their EP, such as "Ism" and the pan-flute/wind-pipe graced "Samovstrecha". Perhaps cheekingly, they incorporated part of a cog song into the end of one of their songs, which was a bit perplexing (especially with all the cog banners behind them) but they played it really well and rather convincingly. They closed the set with an energetic rocking tune and it was saddening to have them leave because many others, and I, wanted more. If you haven't seen or heard Junto before, you should check them out. http://www.junto.com.au
Before this tour, i had never heard nor even heard OF Nation Blue, who are apparently from Melbourne. Throughout the set i was trying to determine whether the bad was crap, good or mediocre and didn't seem to be any of these. They were loud, noisy and the softer vocals sounded a bit weak at times, the medium vocals were had an "Aussie" accent to them and the shouting vocals were a bit redundant/excessive. Both bass player and guitarist sang lead and backing vocals and for a three-piece, the band made quite a racket. These guys weren't even half as good as Junto though, so it's disappointing that Nation Blue had the main support slot. There's far worse bands though, such as the severely annoying In the Grey who supported cog at the metro last year and at least Nation Blue didn't have a major attitude problem like some bands. They held themselves well on stage, completely unpretentious and unaffected by any of the heckling. They seemed like nice blokes, but there music was kind of boring and lacking in finesse. i liked some of the bass 'noises' though and i thought they were tolerable, but i had earplugs, so my ears weren't hurting like the ears of many of the people around me. But whether you hated them or thought they were ok, or whatever, i think everyone was relieved when they finished and were eager for the Headliner.
The show sold out days before the concert and still, there were many people who missed out that wanted to see cog. And surprisingly, many of the people who were there we seeing cog for the first time. Over a year ago, before cog released their full-length album, the new normal, people supposedly aware of the music scene in Australia were very sceptical when i said cog were popular and were on the rise. Just like the major record companies failed to realise that cog had, and still have, major potential in Australia and overseas.
There was much anticipation before the band came out on stage while the stage technicians made sure all the instruments were sounding right and taping down leads, etc. It felt like i was at a concert for a rarely touring band from overseas. At the front of the pit (floor area), it was becoming rather tightly packed and when cog finally came out, it became what i define as a "squash-pit", in that the punters are forced to be touching up against each-other like a rugby scrum or a "can of sardines". i wasn't much in the mood for that, so after a song or two i squeezed my way out back to where there was room to move around and not having people pushing behind me.
i recognised the opening song "Anarchy OK" as soon as Lucius Borich started on the drums. This was confirmed as lead vocalist/guitarist Flynn Gower came in with his guitar, then with his brother/bass player, Luke Gower providing the opening vocals. The crowd was wild and really getting into it. Lucius said in a triple j interview last year when the album was released that this was his favourite song on the album and it is indeed a damn fine song.
Second song was the new single and title of the tour, "Resonate". i was surprised they played this one so early in the set, since i figured they would keep it for later on or even closing with it. But it went well anyway, as the audience was eager before the band had even come on and cog didn't seem to need to warm up to deliver a fine performance, whereas as a lot of bands take the first couple of songs a precursor to performing at their finest.
"Real Life" is a great song that has kept growing on me. "Paris, Texas" was the first song cog played that wasn't on the album, but is on the Just Visting [part 2] EP and "Open Up" single. Some of the new fans may not have been familiar with it, but the old fans knew it well. After this, cog went back into songs from the album. "The Spine", "Run" and "Silence is Violence" all being received very well and sung along to by the crowd. At some point, cog played an instrumental song that hasn't appeared on their CD releases and i don't recall having heard live in the four previous times i'd seen cog, so i'm guessing it's new or might have even been an improvised jam.
The next 'old song' to be played also came with a surprise that blew many minds away. "The Truth and Other Lies" featured a guest vocalist who graced the stage wearing a kimono and dressed as a geisha. i don't know if it was Carla Werner who sang on the recorded version (on Just Visting part 2), but she sang the same parts and sang them beautifully.
The cover of Leftfield & John Lydon's song "Open Up" which cog released as a single came next.
When the audience realised the next song was the single "My Enemy" with an extended intro, which gave a chance for the crowd to sing the first vocal section before Flynn started singing. Everyone seemed to be more familiar and cheering with this song than any other played on the night, including cog's other singles. It was powerful and turned out to be the final song for the night, which makes sense to end on a high point.
http://www.cog.com.au
Some photos a friend took:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v129/ilikerain/Cog/cog10.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v129/ilikerain/Cog/cog18.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v129/ilikerain/Cog/cog6.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v129/ilikerain/Cog/cog8.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v129/ilikerain/Cog/cog30.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v129/ilikerain/Cog/cog21.jpg
...
Saturday, 01st of April
Junto has probably never played a venue this big before, though it seems likely they will again. At first, the amount of punters seemed a lot less than would turn up at a Junto headlining show. But doors only opened just after 8pm and there was queuing, so they were on rather early. Anyhow, half way through their set i turned around again and was surprised to see how filled up the venue was becoming. Still, it would've been good if Junto were on later, so everyone at this sold out concert could witness the artistry and energy of Junto. The guitars were especially magical and well delivered (and a few people were yelling out for Joey!). It was most enjoyable to hear songs of their EP, such as "Ism" and the pan-flute/wind-pipe graced "Samovstrecha". Perhaps cheekingly, they incorporated part of a cog song into the end of one of their songs, which was a bit perplexing (especially with all the cog banners behind them) but they played it really well and rather convincingly. They closed the set with an energetic rocking tune and it was saddening to have them leave because many others, and I, wanted more. If you haven't seen or heard Junto before, you should check them out. http://www.junto.com.au
Before this tour, i had never heard nor even heard OF Nation Blue, who are apparently from Melbourne. Throughout the set i was trying to determine whether the bad was crap, good or mediocre and didn't seem to be any of these. They were loud, noisy and the softer vocals sounded a bit weak at times, the medium vocals were had an "Aussie" accent to them and the shouting vocals were a bit redundant/excessive. Both bass player and guitarist sang lead and backing vocals and for a three-piece, the band made quite a racket. These guys weren't even half as good as Junto though, so it's disappointing that Nation Blue had the main support slot. There's far worse bands though, such as the severely annoying In the Grey who supported cog at the metro last year and at least Nation Blue didn't have a major attitude problem like some bands. They held themselves well on stage, completely unpretentious and unaffected by any of the heckling. They seemed like nice blokes, but there music was kind of boring and lacking in finesse. i liked some of the bass 'noises' though and i thought they were tolerable, but i had earplugs, so my ears weren't hurting like the ears of many of the people around me. But whether you hated them or thought they were ok, or whatever, i think everyone was relieved when they finished and were eager for the Headliner.
The show sold out days before the concert and still, there were many people who missed out that wanted to see cog. And surprisingly, many of the people who were there we seeing cog for the first time. Over a year ago, before cog released their full-length album, the new normal, people supposedly aware of the music scene in Australia were very sceptical when i said cog were popular and were on the rise. Just like the major record companies failed to realise that cog had, and still have, major potential in Australia and overseas.
There was much anticipation before the band came out on stage while the stage technicians made sure all the instruments were sounding right and taping down leads, etc. It felt like i was at a concert for a rarely touring band from overseas. At the front of the pit (floor area), it was becoming rather tightly packed and when cog finally came out, it became what i define as a "squash-pit", in that the punters are forced to be touching up against each-other like a rugby scrum or a "can of sardines". i wasn't much in the mood for that, so after a song or two i squeezed my way out back to where there was room to move around and not having people pushing behind me.
i recognised the opening song "Anarchy OK" as soon as Lucius Borich started on the drums. This was confirmed as lead vocalist/guitarist Flynn Gower came in with his guitar, then with his brother/bass player, Luke Gower providing the opening vocals. The crowd was wild and really getting into it. Lucius said in a triple j interview last year when the album was released that this was his favourite song on the album and it is indeed a damn fine song.
Second song was the new single and title of the tour, "Resonate". i was surprised they played this one so early in the set, since i figured they would keep it for later on or even closing with it. But it went well anyway, as the audience was eager before the band had even come on and cog didn't seem to need to warm up to deliver a fine performance, whereas as a lot of bands take the first couple of songs a precursor to performing at their finest.
"Real Life" is a great song that has kept growing on me. "Paris, Texas" was the first song cog played that wasn't on the album, but is on the Just Visting [part 2] EP and "Open Up" single. Some of the new fans may not have been familiar with it, but the old fans knew it well. After this, cog went back into songs from the album. "The Spine", "Run" and "Silence is Violence" all being received very well and sung along to by the crowd. At some point, cog played an instrumental song that hasn't appeared on their CD releases and i don't recall having heard live in the four previous times i'd seen cog, so i'm guessing it's new or might have even been an improvised jam.
The next 'old song' to be played also came with a surprise that blew many minds away. "The Truth and Other Lies" featured a guest vocalist who graced the stage wearing a kimono and dressed as a geisha. i don't know if it was Carla Werner who sang on the recorded version (on Just Visting part 2), but she sang the same parts and sang them beautifully.
The cover of Leftfield & John Lydon's song "Open Up" which cog released as a single came next.
When the audience realised the next song was the single "My Enemy" with an extended intro, which gave a chance for the crowd to sing the first vocal section before Flynn started singing. Everyone seemed to be more familiar and cheering with this song than any other played on the night, including cog's other singles. It was powerful and turned out to be the final song for the night, which makes sense to end on a high point.
http://www.cog.com.au
Some photos a friend took:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v129/ilikerain/Cog/cog10.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v129/ilikerain/Cog/cog18.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v129/ilikerain/Cog/cog6.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v129/ilikerain/Cog/cog8.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v129/ilikerain/Cog/cog30.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v129/ilikerain/Cog/cog21.jpg
...