Root! final steamy show at Yah Yahs

Band: Root! with support from The Rhetorics
Venue: Yah Yahs
Date: 20th August 2010
Reviewed By: Espylyn

A sold out show allowed the youthful band The Rhetorics to unleash some eager and energetic rock, pop and punk sound to the punters at Yah Yahs. A steady crowd watched on with many heading out for a smoke into the cold night to then come back and take position to witness an interesting band commit some fabulous guitar action and show us an image which suits the boys and I must admit, a style of music that grew on me.
Not only a sold out show but sold out merchandise for Root! Tee-shirts were displayed all around and the punters heckled Root! Root! in absolute dog style vocals and typical fashion until the band crept panther-like through the crowd and onto stage. Tonight’s performance would be the last for the band as they hang up their sound and will call it a day amidst reports that DC will fly solo for a while.
An introduction begins called Root! tapes and for many moments we are laughing to the one liners and songs which have been changed to suit a more Root! style of theme. Smoke bellows and laughter prevails, whilst the cowboys hats are ready on stage. Not as many cowboy hats in the audience which is a surprise but the crowd don’t disappoint tonight with their heckling, moshing and singing along to the songs of Root!

DC , the effervescent front man, welcomes the Greatest Rock N Roll Band and the song Uncle Vom Vom starts the set and is followed with Orange People, Get Up Yourself and Famous For Being Famous and the band prowled the stage as though this wasn’t their last show but their first. Mad drums, electric guitar and great melodies are what Root! have always been and listening to the lyrics as their tongue in cheek riddles are set to music really does work.

Joe Bloggs Blogg brings on some heckling and DC almost looks as though he’s had enough – a hot interior makes a few of us move closer to the door which is full of steam and when the security opens the door, it’s a wonderful feeling to feel that cold night air. Root! continue with Shazza and Michelle which bleats out guitar and drum grooves and finally DC is out amongst the crowd as he does best. I Wish I Was Tex Perkins is sung whilst hopping along the bar and is quickly followed by Caroline Springs.

Encore doesn’t really happen as there really isn’t anywhere for the band to go to so they continue their final show to the more than full house with bringing bongo’s on stage and we witness Doug Lee Root! singing Run Like The Wind – a Christopher Cross cover, and the song is backed up by Henri and Steve Root! I’m left wondering if DC will come back and he does for another couple of songs – I’ll Get My Kicks When I’m 66 and Hokey Pokey and then the band that was, isn’t any more. The guttural howls of the punters saying Root! Root! follow me home.

as seen on www.thedwarf.com.au