Mammal at the Ding Dong Lounge

Band: Mammal, supported by Many Machines on Nine
Venue: The Ding Dong Lounge
Date: 2nd November 2007
Reviewed By: Lyn. Photograph by Mark Geisel.



We entered the Ding Dong rather late in the night to find many punters already grooving to the second support act (unfortunately missed the first).

After getting ourselves a beer, we headed up to get a better view of this band that seems to be popular with the crowd and even I found myself grooving away to this electronic, rock beat. I didn’t get a chance to read the play list and the band didn’t have their name anywhere that I could see - what is it with bands that can’t even put a name on the drum kit, some sort of paper, or texta on a tee shirt! Somewhere, anywhere, argh!!!?

I couldn’t understand what the singer was saying when he did mention their name either… so anyway, after they finished I went to the merchandise stand and asked who they were, bought the cd and even though it took a few listens to enjoy it as much as the gig, I feel they’ve nailed their music, which is hard electronic rock, live! Their name is ‘Many Machines on Nine’ - MM9 - hailing from Sydney .

I enjoyed the singer’s exuberance up front, mixing with the crowd very well, fully pumping and grinding and overall they are a talented display of musicians. The grind of the bass riff went through the audience; sometimes I thought they had a similar sound underneath to Korn. Check them out!

Zeke and co. came out in full force, Zeke claiming the stage as his, Zane on drums we were told is a ‘buddhist monk with the funk’! Pete, the guitarist strutted his stuff in the middle of the stage entertaining the crowd, and Nick played with amazing grooves as per usual, with his bass guitar.

Visits to the crowd from Zeke, treats of about 4 new songs, political banter but no glitter ball hat, this was Mammal tonight!

One punter tried to get the crowd singing ‘Aussie Aussie Aussie’ whilst Zeke was talking but Zeke wasn’t having a bar of that and quickly quietened the guy up.

A truly energetic gig and perhaps my fave Mammal gig this year. And yes Zeke, we hope you enjoyed the chicken!

Mammal Instinct

Band: Mammal
Venue: The Evelyn Hotel
Date: 31st August 2007
Reviewed By: Lyn

Upon entering the Evelyn – rather late in the night I have to add – we were shuffled into the nearly full room to see the last song of the support band - a Japanese band that was very energetic. The name of the band escapes me, so if anyone knows it, email me so I can update this!

After a break and refill of the beer we waited in anticipation for mammal to arrive. It was January when I last saw the band, so I felt rather pumped waiting for their arrival.

Over the speakers echoed the words ‘I love the smell of evolution in the morning’ and enter mammal the band. Nick Adams on bass guitar, back and forth, side to side with enough energy to burn a light bulb. Great riffs with a mysterious amount of energy and lust for his bass and for the crowd. Amazing to watch.

Zeke, the singer, in excellent spirits. Pete Williamson on guitar, grooving with each song and the fuelled Zane Rosanoksi on drums - these musicians complete mammal.

Zeke pumped out tunes to the crowd who had a huge energy buzz around them and who sang many songs word for word.

Tonight was the launch of their live cd called ‘The Aural Underground’, which was recorded at the Evelyn in January this year.

Starting with a new song, and cruising into ‘Think’, they filled us with some more new songs like ‘Rich Man’ and 'Push and Shove’ and old favourites such as ‘Groove Junkie’, ‘New Breed Judas’ and ‘Hell Yeah’ – a crowd pleaser.

Include a glitter ball helmet which Zeke seems to wear with pride and some political banter ‘Whose streets? – Our streets!’, his power over the crowd was such he could even get a guy in the crowd to fix a light which seemed to have fallen by the wayside. This all created one fantastic gig by one fantastic band. Yes I am biased, as I’ve been following this band for over a year now, but hey don’t judge me on this, listen to the band and see for yourself!