Venue: Hamer Hall
Date: 5th November 2012
Reviewed By: Espylyn
Even are a band that everyone likes. I didn’t read who was supporting Icehouse tonight but when I saw Even come on stage I was pleased and sat back knowing I was in for a great support act. A lot of punters had arrived early to see Even and with rapturous applause they paved the way for Icehouse and proved they are the right support act. As I watched and listened to the band I gazed around as the upgraded Hamer Hall and found myself thinking it doesn’t look much different but nonetheless I had a great seat and wasn’t up in the boonies of the back row which I find too far up in the heavens to properly enjoy. Even played loads of oldies (‘this one was number 86 on JJJ hottest 100' we are told) and a few newbies and although reminiscent of Oasis at times, I can’t help but feel I’m watching a Scooby Doo style of band, and this statement is said in a positive way, because that being said, its like a pop cartoon ride at times seeing Even. Primititave
Icehouse graced the stage to a plethora of shrieks and applause and when the silver fox, aka Iva Davies, comes out the shrieks are raised and Iva cannot help but smile.
Iva Davies, clearly the front man with a load of hot potato up his sleeve brought the crowd throughout the night to its feet and his voice is as smooth and clear as on the albums. Paul Gildea whips up guitar action and smooths his way through each song whilst Paul Wheeler graces those drums that you know want to be hit. Michael Paynter sings My Obsession (yes he has great voice, buy why) and displays amazing range in his vocals and he contributes to the band playing keyboards and guitar and lastly is Glenn Reither who turns the room into a melting mess with the saxophone as well as hitting those keyboards.
Punters don't cope with sitting and many arise to the aisles much to the dismay of the ushers who have no hope in holding some back. However, watching one lady bring out the camcord and start videoing the gig was rather amusing as she didn’t get caught for quite a while into the show. Into Glam the band head before Uniform and We Can Get Together then the big hit Crazy, Man of Colours and when Electric Blue is played, the seats are slowly emptying and punters are having the time of their lives. My Obsession (sung by Michael Paynter), Great Southern Land and the cruising tune of Hey, Little Girl takes us back to the 1980’s when mullets and fluro were the must have look. Cross The Border is another underrated rock song and encore arrives making me note that there isn’t long to go, and I really don’t want the night to end. Heartbreak Kid is sung acoustically (dang it, as its my favourite tune and I needed to hear it rock out) and Nothing Too Serious brings the house down. The only failure of the night was ending on a T Rex cover of Get It On, when Walls hadn’t been sung, let along other top material from their back catalogue - their point being they started off as a cover band before Flowers.
Alas, the night ended and I admit I could have stayed another hour or so to hear the band as they are rocking. I did manage to see the band at start of this year and thought they had more spirit back then, but as they aren’t spring chickens anymore, months of touring would be slowly winding their bodies down but it didn’t make the night any less of a success, hell no, it was freaking awesome.
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