Dirty York at the Espy

Band: Dirty York
Venue: the Esplanade Hotel
Date: 24th July 2008
Reviewed By: Lyn Harder

Photography By;Mark Geisel

Dirty York are a 6 piece Melbourne band and when they enter the stage, I can’t help but look – tall blokes and beards and I must not forget the dreadlocked lass on keys! Great bluesy grooves and rock moves and you are taken away to a space somewhere in time. Call it a bit of ‘Black Crowes’ sound, call it what you want, but this band takes you on a journey you won’t forget. With Clare Whitcombe on the Hammond organ, Benny James and Todd Bennett on guitarist (mmm….slide guitar), Luka Szpakolski on bass and singer Shaun Brown’s with his animated tamborine we are given such songs tonight as ‘take me home?’ a rock country song and ‘all my friends look like Jesus’ – yes laugh at this title.
Then they get pretty up we’re told which means time for softer song ‘crazy little thing you’re going through’. I can’t help but smile at the music with zesty beats and a profound chemistry throughout the band. The dance floor had people dancing and really enjoying the vibe of the band that is Dirty York. My only advice is to have your name on the drum kit or somewhere! As their myspace states, they boldly remind us what good rock and roll is all about

The High Drifters at the Espy

Band: The High Drifters
Venue: the Esplanade Hotel
Date: 24th July 2008
Reviewed By: Lyn Harder

The high drifters are a blues indie alternative rock, two-piece Melbourne duo who really do rock!
Ringo on guitar and Matt on drums and vocals. They entered the stage with confidence which remained throughout the set. Songs of the night were ‘somewhat thankful’, ‘stay’ -which is the first song they ever wrote, ‘upside down blues’ a guitar change for ‘blue room blues’ which is a real rocking bluesy instrumental.
They are a band who are solid, loud and work well together and judging from how well they play, they’ve been around a while but if not, they are doing extremely well.
Great vocals from Matt, anyone who can sing and drum at the same time gets my attention. Ringo is midly animated on stage including some nice slide guitar.
Set ended with ‘homebody?’ (I’m not sure on exact title), this song has a heavy spin on it – and I’m sure I heard the imperial death march during the song.
Name on drumkit! Yay! Always like bands who put names on a drum kit, especially when you’re at the espy on a Thursday night, watching a heap of bands, and can’t find the gig list around and sometimes one does not know which band of the line up are currently on stage! A top band, worthy of a second look
Their Ep is available for $5 on their myspace site.