Amphetame

Band: Amphetame
Venue: Ding Dong Lounge
Date: 14th March 2008
Reviewed By: Lyn Harder, photograph by Mark Geisel.

Ding Dong on a hot night with broken air con is not very enticing, but nonetheless I came to see a band called Amphetame (from L.A). Quite a decent crowd turned out tonight.

The band started with awesome guitar riffs from Ash Jones (Carousel) and Ben Brennen (Seven) then drums James Innes (Jaed) joined in - a great instrumental start.
Then Dani Raushithe, singer and founder of the music that is Amphetame, entered stage with confidence and showed us her music. Unfortunately the vocals were rather low for the second song 'Take My Hand' but after this the technician provided louder vocals and the sound was much clearer. This sound showed off the songs as they deserve, smooth and catchy song with more great riffs.

After lots of sweating (from band and punters alike) we heard ‘Give’, ‘Beat Me Up’ then ‘Glory Box’. Dani did chat a bit in between songs but being a quick talker (or maybe it was nerves) I couldn’t catch much of what she said, but I think the gist was to get the crowd going a bit more. The punters appeared to be enjoying the music that was on display.

Dani then launched into the last song ‘I Don’t Need You’, and I felt the crowd and I were finally enjoying the music and getting into it more when the plug was pulled and the show ended. Ding Dong are quite frugal about bands approaching timelines apparently. Oh well, we all got a quick fix of the band that is Amphetame.

Ding Dong Goes Electric

Band: Electric Mary
Venue: The Ding Dong Lounge
Date: 16th November 2007
Reviewed By: Lyn. Photograph by Mark Geisel.

I have been waiting a long time to see Electric Mary. It’s been at least 6 months since they’ve played and a year since I last saw them.
I rocked up very late at Ding Dong, so I just saw the last song from the support but judging from the amount of people up front they must have put on a show as the crowd seemed to be getting into their music.

Soon Electric Mary entered stage, Pete on guitar, Irwin or guitar, Tommy from Juke Cartel on bass (in the absence of Neilo) and Venom on drums. The crowd went wild, and then in strutted the man you cannot miss in his long coat and cowboy hat - Rusty on vocals. There is something about this man, I can’t take my eyes off him, he grabs the stage with such vengeance and adoration and the crowd seem to love him too.

The set started with Let Me Out then One in a Million, which contains dirty, dirty riffs. No One Does It Better followed, then with the song Hey Now Rusty sang while holding a jug of water! After about three songs Rusty exited the stage whilst we were given an instrumental break from the guitarists, and when Venom started his solo the audience chanted his name over and over. The way those boys play their guitars is amazing - sweaty guitar with huge rock beats. Then Rusty came back on stage and like a lion eating its prey he launched into Luv Me with much zest. Luv Me is an amazing song, beautifully sung, and showing off Rusty’s strong voice. We were welcomed with a new song called Sorry, which was apparently written on one of their road trips.

Electric Mary are a fast-paced band, short songs but well worth seeing. The last few songs were Crash Down On Your Head, which is a melodic tune, One Foot in the Grave, and lucky last was I Fell Out With My Best Friend, during which I almost felt like linking arms with my neighbours and swaying back and forth. Then they were gone, no encores, much to the crowds disappointment.

For those wanting more there was the EP Definition Of Insanity and tees available for purchase.

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!