Who better to tear Adelaide’s Fat Controller down on a Friday night, but the psychedelic, rock grooves that are The Delta Riggs?
The room filled out as time went on before the show. The Pretty Littles played their bit of the night jamming out tracks that only brought fans closer to the purple and red lit stage. The room was filled with long haired yahoos – boy or girl, it didn’t matter. Some were dressed from today’s rising grunge scene, tight jeans, flannelette shirts, outrageous patterned jackets, but a few took it back to the 70’s as The Delta Riggs would have loved: high-waisted flared jeans and sailor hats. It didn’t matter what the dress code was, everyone there was to witness one of the best energetic live gigs in Australia.
The out-of-this-world 4-piece ‘from outer-space’ kicked off their ‘Back to Earth Parties’ in front of an eager Adelaide crowd. Starting with a clear fan favourite, “The Record’s Flawed”, helped everyone wiggle and squish their way into their desired spots within the crowd. Every word was sung and screamed by punters as they battled to throw their hands up in front of them through the countless sweaty people jammed around.
The Delta Riggs brought out tune after tune never disappointing the crowd. “It’s Over”, “Rah Rah Radio” and new groovy single, “Surgery of Love”, were all belted out in the mix with frontman Elliott Hammond adding his touch of swagger to the performance. The denim jacketed mad-man was the life of the party, with microphone stand swirls and astonishing harmonica playing, two things that make a Delta Riggs gig what it is. Hammond had the buzzing supporters involved the whole show, grabbing hands reaching out towards him and delivering a rock serenade and sometimes even laying himself across the sweaty bodies of front-rowers.
“Bobby’s Flowers” was completed with a drum solo – who doesn’t love a drum solo? The bass shook through the mosh pits body and urged each person to applaud in such a livelier manner than before, which I didn’t even think was possible. Les Riggs decided to wrap up the show with all-time favourite “Supersonic Casualties”. A track that truly proves they must be from a different planet. The mixture of smooth electric chords and a backing groovy bass line matched up the rest of the bands individual specialties excellently. The last hoorah was intense, pushing and shoving took place on the floor but all in good spirit.
The fans (including myself) were sad to see the end and the boys walk off stage. Demanding an encore didn’t work with the band, not returning for more, but I guarantee nobody left Fat Controller that night disappointed.
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