Melbourne’s favourite gritty garage rocker’s The Pretty Littles are back and providing the goods with an epic show, an epic line-up and a bloody good album to go along with it. The Corner Hotel crowd was churning for opening night and the bloke beside me chimed in to let everyone know that “The Pretty Littles played at my 21st once.” After that gig, I would like to cordially invite them to my own 21st because that was one heck of a performance.
Kicking off the night, Joe Neptune‘s mellow folk-drenched tunes were a brilliant, easy listening gate-way into the night as the slowly trickling audience mingled. Ravishing the stage with a harder, dirtier set of tracks, Porpoise Spit may have possibly become my favourite new punk band with their self-described “mum rock” and suburban punk vibes leaving the growing crowd wanting more. Mill O’Sullivan and Elle Hewitt’s co-vocals were entrancing, powerful, charming and so darn hilarious at all of the best moments. If you find yourself needing an anthemic song with some of the punchiest, unrestrained and full of character lyrics than I highly recommend their song “Karl Stefanovic at The Logies Drunk”. O’Sullivan’s ode to Good Charlotte’esque crowd pumping and a Rod Laver Arena goal left the band memorable, enjoyable and immediately added onto my Spotify playlist. Next up, Department launched into some messy, jangly-punk that began to hype crowds with their catchy, hardy alternative tunes. Soon, the Corner Hotel was stirring with bodies and it was time for one killer main attraction.
The Pretty Little’s latest album ‘Skeleton Run’ was recorded at Woodstock Studios in Melbourne with Greg Reitwyk (Neighbourhood Youth, Press Club) and tackles topical and often heavy issues such as suicide in older people, racism, asylum seekers whilst also delving into the classic explorations of relationships and late night endeavours. Dripping in vulnerability and emotion, the album drifts away from their typical pub-rock style and highlights the bands inept talent and musical ability. In front of a churning crowd, the band absolutely obliterated the album and every single person in the crowd would have known it.
Despite playing my favourite track ‘Sober’ too early for full mosh action, lead singer Jack Parsons found himself on drums for ‘Seven Devils’ which was an unforgettable song after he yelled into the microphone “I’m clean” and the audience cheered him on. Previously released tracks ‘Hills Hoist’ and ‘Done Dale’ made an appearence, but the ultimate song was “Flags and Stones”. The song diverges from their usual grungy-rock, adopting a mellow, folk-ish underlining alongside spoken lyrics and precious harmonies, performed on the night by the incredibly talented members of Go Get Mum.
Whilst I came for the launch of an unbelievable new album, my newly turned eighteen year old brother came for one thing and one thing only. ‘School’ and the furious pit that came along with it. Overall, a phenomenal launch by an amazing band with a live presence like no other.
FOUR AND A HALF STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
The Pretty Little‘s Album Launch kicked off on the 19th of October and is on its way around Australia now! Tour dates are:
27th October – Chippo – Sydney, NSW
28th October – North Gong Hotel – Wollongong, NSW (Free Entry)
2nd November – UC Hub – Canberra, ACT
10th November – Four5Nine – Perth, WA
11th November – Mojo’s – Fremantle, WA
23rd November – Crow Bar – Brisbane, QLD
For more details head to their Facebook Page.
This reviewer attended the show on the 19th of October at the Corner Hotel in Melbourne
Photo Credit: Sean Dwyer
