With a barrage of quality bands, DJs and a guaranteed packed dance floor (not something you can say for most band nights), Mum at World Bar is definitely one of the best places to experience local music on a Friday night. And for only $10, it’s a bargain too!
Last week’s gig was certainly no exception. Melbourne’s Quiet the Few were the first to hit the stage, bringing a few catchy rock songs to the dance floor. These guys sound pretty tight, and are definitely capable musicians, but I must say they were sounded fairly repetitive at times. But that might have just been due to the speakers being turned up to 11. Turn ’em down boys! I enjoy being able to hear things in my everyday life!
Decorated Generals were up next, fresh out of the recording studio, and seemed to have quite a collective of friends and fans up the front (clearly, the speakers were no longer at 11). It’s no surprise, however, once you hear these guys play (and you can! with our exclusive live footage on your right!). They are, in a word, pretty fantastic. Nick totally belts the shit out of the drums at times, whilst maintaining his rhythm with total expertise. These guys are definitely not making hard rock, after all. Meanwhile, Matt on Guitar brings some beautiful riffs to the table, and whilst is definitely the backup singer (at least in terms of what they showed off tonight), he’s a great one, and the video we’re featuring is of “Hung From the Roof,” which he sang on the night.
That leaves Ben on lead vocals, who also plays the keyboards – filling in for whatever tune or instrument is otherwise missing (although one of their mates came on to play trumpet in spectacular fashion). Together, they make some pretty damn sexy and infectious tunes, and I look forward to hearing them again soon.
My only criticism of the performance was that Ben and Matt, while both excellent singers, are tonally very similar when it comes down to it, and thus some attempts at harmonising didn’t seem to follow through; their voices clashing in the process. This was probably something that worked well in the recording studio, but just doesn’t seem to translate in the live setting. Possibly just me, but definitely something I rekon they should look into as they continue to grow and develop both in the live scene and the studio.
The New Black followed, and while I didn’t catch much of them (sorry guys!), they seemed to have a Killing Heidi sort of thing going on? I might be totally wrong there, so will just move on to the headlining band of the night, the band that truly packed the room out – Recent FBi Unsigned Band of the Week The Spirits. The lead singer definitely channels Jeff Buckley in his performance – well if Jeff Buckley did original Indie Rock anyway – and such is certainly a massive compliment. As a band, they are as tight as they come, and definitely know how to churn out a catchy hit or two. “Only Lonely” is of particular mention here. Without a doubt one of Sydney’s up-and-coming bands, they’re definitely worth checking out. And they’ll be headlining MUM again on January 9th, so you don’t have any excuse not to dance the night away!
