Live Review: Last Dinosaurs, The Jungle Giants

The last time this scribe saw The Jungle Giants they were headlining a sold-out show as part of their first national tour at the Northcote Social Club. Despite playing to a very similar crowd, in terms of demographic and size, they are a little bit less celebratory sitting in the support slot. This suits them and in no way affects the level of enthusiasm emanating from the stage. The Brisbane-based four-piece start with No One Needs To Know from their self-titled debut EP and bassist Andrew Dooris is away, letting the music direct him around the stage. The majority of the short set is taken from their new EP, but a well-executed cover of Band Of Skulls' I Know What I Am sneaks its way in – the harder sound allowing Sam Hales to show off his vocal chops. Though breakout hit Mr Polite is the clear crowd favourite, the standout track for this reviewer is You've Got Something. The dynamics created with contemplative sections building to a barrage of atmospheric guitar is particularly affective in the live setting.

Though occupying a similar niche musically to The Jungle Giants, Last Dinosaurs are exactly one album further along in their development. Said album debuted in the top ten on the ARIA album chart earlier this year so it isn't surprising to hear the crowd reaction once the curtains open and a “What's up?” is directed to the punters from the darkened stage. This is followed by a simple “Fuck, yeah!” from lead singer and guitarist Sean Caskey. After getting the necessary reassurance in regards to whether the crowd feels like dancing, they get their set underway and a wave of young people moves vigorously to the dance-guitar sound of Last Dinosaurs.

Though their recorded output isn't known for its heavy qualities, their sound satisfyingly fills out the room tonight. The delight of the crowd remains at a steady level throughout the set, but there are definite peaks in enthusiasm when the singles are played. Time And Place features some nice back-and-forth vocals from Caskey and bassist Sam Gethin-Jones, while Andy puts Lachlan Caskey's effects pedal to good use with its calypso-tinged guitar hook. It is Zoom though that sees the crowd truly break the shackles, prompting Sean Caskey to declare tonight as their best Corner show ever (they played here the previous night as well). The highlight is Repair, its hint of melancholy resolved with a great yearning melody.

As the night loosens up towards the end of the set, members of The Jungle Giants reappear with devious grins to dump the headliner's members into the mosh. The kids get their encore in record-quick time and longtime favourite Honolulu leaves everyone with a sweet taste in their mouth.