Articles
Batrider + Say Cheese and Die! + Straight Arrows + Surf City + Dead Farmers @ Annandale Hotel
31/08/07
It wasn't really surprising considering the crazy amount of stuff on last Friday that this show didn't get a massive turnout. That said, it was a bit disappointing considering the bucketload of very delightful local and INTERNATIONAL bands performing.
We got to the Annandale Hotel super early. So early that we - or the cool half of us at least - were asked several times which band we were part of. So, the reason for the our early attendance? No it wasn't for the lovely overpriced beer in plastic glasses.. it was to see Dead Farmers..
They put on a highly entertaining half hour tornado of force. The closing number, Violence, was especially a highlight. They are very quickly moving up the ranks of Our Favourite Sydney Bands. Currently they are 4th.
New Zealand's Surf City performed two short sets on the smaller (and I would say better) front bar stage between bands. Despite some early technical problems they were very impressive. I moved from being a casual fan of their lazy style and addictive songs to being a full fledged fan groupie about halfway through their first half hour slot.
Straight Arrows were always going to be a bit of a let down. Not that they weren't at their regular awesome level BUT more because I had seen them in better venues, in better environments and without the task of battling the Annandale Hotel's generally pretty ordinary sound. The last two times I have seen them has just been at house-party-like setups and it was a lot more suiting to their style of music.
With all that negativity out there let me say that they were still a lot of fun and without a single dull moment. Calls for 'more smoke' got them the nod as Most Amusing Band Of The Night as well.
We don't have any photos of Say Cheese and Die! This was because we spent the main bulk of their set trying to convince Batrider frontlady Sarah that they should add their song Santanana to the setlist. It didn't work.
Despite the shit sound, lack of Santanana and our crazy high level of excitement Batrider didn't disappoint.
They ripped through some older numbers, some new ones and the bulk of their new album, Tara, which, if you haven't gotten your dirty mits on by now then you really should get onto that. Pronto.
All in all it was a mixed night. The bands were awesome. The venue was average and the crowd although peaceful and lovers of what was on offer were just too small in numbers to create a solid atmosphere.
