Live Review: Apes, The Faults, New Brutalists

A two-piece of two-pieces kicked off a night of raw, garage rock in front of a disappointing crowd at the Kings Cross Hotel. Even when main act APES started, it seemed Sydney was too busy watching the Wallabies lose, or just hiding from the bitchy winter weather.

New Brutalists kicked off the night with a raw and sexy performance. Claire Price's vocals combine a delicate vulnerability with attitude and spunk. The two-piece achieved a White Stripes feel through their stage presence but struggled to find their groove. Sean Francis didn't appear to have enough guitar prowess to hold the overall sound together, which may benefit from adding a drummer and bass or another guitar element. 

The Faults were second to take the stage, this time the two-piece holding the crowd a bit better. Oli Holyoake's vocals were Radiohead-esque and Tom Scarcella's drumming was as tight as his back-up vocals. The playful drum and guitar interplay showed real skill and like New Brutalists, The Faults' raw performance showed potential. But again their music could do with a little refinement.

By the time APES took the stage the crowd had improved, but not to the level a band with this much promise deserves. Their blues-rock style of songwriting is reminiscent of '70s Rolling Stones. But the way the tunes build, reaching thrashy climaxes with new elements being introduced verse by verse, draws comparisons with British India or Children Collide.

Softer moments had all the tenderness and temperament of The Wombats circa Girls, Boys & Marsupials but tight, precise tempo changes ensured songs never strayed too far from scrappy upbeat rock, suiting Benjamin Dowd's punk rock squeal.

The band's technical tightness definitely helped get people moving and despite a poor turnout APES achieved a great atmosphere.

Helluva Time felt as youthful as Bleeding Knees Club but added thrash and attitude, and the punchy hooks of Leather Jacket and Seven proved crowd favourites. Overall it was a fun night of new Australian music, but all of these bands can and will play better gigs in the future.