Thursday 14th October 2010
Above: Bedouin Soundclash Supported by King Cannon.
Photography by Nic Bishop Photography
9:30pm and the support act graced the stage.
“I think they have an image problem.” Ironically joked a nearby man, referring to King Cannon’s (KC) uniform of crisp black dress shirts and trousers, complimented by stylish belts and shoes, as they opened for Canadian, Bedouin Soundclash at The Prince Hotel in St Kilda. There was no denying it. The group looked smart. Later a fellow gig goer would also say, “there is a famous quote from Anchorman that applies to KC, that they 'dressed so fine that they made Sinatra look like a hobo.’”
Heavily tattooed Lead singer, Luke Yeoward’s, alluring blue eyes peered out and met the gaze of many beaming folks as the band played through their set. Played titles included Time to Yourself, Smoked out City and Gasoline, the most notable being Teenage Dreams, which is worth checking out on the bands Myspace page. Luke later told me in a post show interview that everything from world music to early blues and rock and roll, SKA music in the sixties, to reggae, country and punk rock were influences on their sound.
After one passionately played song, Luke paused to pull out a hair comb that sat neatly in his back pocket. He combed his rockabilly style hair back off his face and then beamed into the audience once again. There is no doubt that he is a large personality of the band, but the performance of Mikey on Keyboard with his heart felt singing and enthusiastic keyboarding, and Johnno on bass, who bopped around stage with an appreciative innocence of a young child were also notable personalities in this performance.
10:30-10:45-ish. Bedouin Soundclash (BS) Emerged. The masses compacted.
It is Bedouin’s third time to Australia as a band, but for newest member, Sekou, it’s his virgin experience down under. “I love being here. I love it.” He oozed enthusiastically in a pre show interview. “I keep hearing about how dedicated the Australian audiences are to having a good time.”
Sekou played most of the show with his eyes closed, an act that in many other circumstances would be detrimental to such an intimate performance. But he played each beat whole-heartedly with his entire body, accenting the particulars of rhythms with his shoulders and used every aspect of his face. “Its like a life’s blood” he said before the show. “I definitely feel the music before I think about it. Some of my favourite music doesn’t even have lyrics in it. Some don’t even have drums in it!” He said with slight irony. Wearing a check red and white shirt, looking casually cool with a tooth pic between his teeth, Sekou soulfully felt every moment of his performance, which the audience shared by watching his own personal gratification.
Bassist and back up vocalist, Eon, must have worn hole in the souls of his black Adidas shoes as he strutted his stuff around his corner of the stage in a confident, self assured march. “There was a time when I used to get nervous.” Said Eon, pre show. “ But, I know what’s going to happen, no body else does. I am in control of the whole situation.” He laughed. Generally he favoured marching forward and back, with a little pause on the height of each leg, mixing it up with a little of the old, side to side step. “I also first feel the music too.” Eon added, pre show. “Getting my bass, using a sampler or the keyboard, can sometimes help me express things that I don’t know how to express with words or in any other way.”
He accented particular notes mostly with his eyes. Expressions ranged from quirky, “Uh-huh, damn, you felt that there didn’t you!” to honest responsiveness towards the crowds emotional participation in many of the songs, particularly towards the end of the evening.
“This guy here is the coolest customer you’ll ever meet, everything is just ‘ok, cool-bananas.’” Stated Sekou about Eon. Which shows during his quirky, jerky, kind hearted stage presence.
Jay, the band’s sweet heart and lead singer, in a black T-shirt, grey pin stripe waist coat, black pants and smart dress shoes, sung beautifully as his voice resonated around the room. He smirked in between songs and certain boyish high school charm oozed out over the first three rows at least. He also donned a delightfully worn in brown hat, “I love his hat. I have seen him wear it so many times and I was wishing and waiting for it to ‘accidentally fall onto my head.’” Said a fan post show. When items of clothing are tracked, that is a sure sign of a loyal fan. (Or stalker.)
The band began their set with Mountain Top,’ the first track of their newest record titled Light the Horizon, soon to be released in Australia. Followed by Jungle and St Andrews. With Jay airing inadvertent displays of sex appeal at random intervals.
Between song banter was scarce. “To everyone who had a birthday this year, Happy Birthday.” Jay said, in response to a drunken/drugged man in the front, which was followed by claps and cheers. Bedouin tended to let the music do all the talking. There were some initial technical difficulties with Jays guitar early on the set, causing the band’s tour manager, Nunya to hover like a hawk-eyed, mother ninja for the rest of the night, which payed off as Jay also broke another string later on, but continued to play out the song.
After a long basic drum and electric introduction, Jay sung Ben E. King’s, “Stand by me” flowing almost seamlessly into the bands own, When the Night feels my Song” as the final song of the evening, largely lead by the audience, whose attention to harmony was surprisingly and pleasurably good.
But after woman warrior cries, chanting and applause, the band returned to the stage to play a further two songs. “I’ve got nothing more to say. Thank you Melbourne.” Jay said sincerely, a perfect introduction to the song “nothing to say,” and farewell to chuffed lyric drunk Melbourne fans.
Edited version of this review can be seen at ttp://www.fasterlouder.com.au/reviews/events/25964/Bedouin-Soundclash-King-Cannons-The-Prince-of-Wales-Melbourne-14102010
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