DAVE MCCORMACK AND THE POLAROIDS, GENTLE BEN AND HIS SENSITIVE SIDE, YOUTH GROUP/THEREDSUNBAND
Ric’s: 01.11.08
It’s Dave McCormack’s birthday and accordingly Ric’s has the atmosphere of the sort of party that talented musicians must hold and somehow I’ve managed to score an invitation.
The evening starts with a surprise performance by members of Youth Group and Theredsunband. Sarah Kelly on acoustic guitar begins inauspiciously, but soon captures the crowd’s attention with a cover of Smog’s ‘Bathysphere’. She is then joined on stage by two members of Youth Group – Toby on acoustic guitar and Cameron on electric – and together they keep the good times rolling.
Next on the bill is the infamous Gentle Ben And His Sensitive Side and the real star of the show is Gentle Ben Corbett. Wailing, moaning, screaming, flailing his arms about and doing almost anything to get the attention that he perhaps lacked as a child, Corbett is rock’n’roll personified. However, it’s not all just show: behind the spectacle is a catalogue of loud, exciting and epic songs. Tunes such as ‘Leave My Weapons At The Door’ recall the drama of the Wild West, while the catchy riff of ‘You Will Live To Regret It’ reveals an indie-pop influence.
Dave McCormack And The Polaroids have the crowd revved up from the opening moments as Dave kicks off with a series of Custard tunes. The songs find new life with Cameron Bruce on keys, as well as the maturity of Dave’s voice. A steady rhythm section makes for good dancing, and tides over well into songs from later in McCormack’s career. Songs such as ‘I’m Gonna Execute Yr Ex-Boyfriend’ don’t seem to disturb anyone and the crowd continues to dance into a frenzy that culminates with a great rendition of ‘Apartment’.
ROBERTA MAGUIRE