It's pouring outside and scant few make it to an early, deft set from the almighty Spencer P Jones and his Escape Committee. The wry swagger, wiry guitar work and wily attitude that sets him apart from other garage rockers is on show in force tonight. Jones, one of the key evolutionaries, seems to exist as a fuse back to the '60s garage rock explosion; at times it seems the sound was born from his melodious hacking. The band, bathed in luminous geometric projections, also boast the brilliance of Dave Nicholls' drumming and bassist Helen Cattanach's vocals. A cameo from Evan Dando on The Rain Came is wonderful, but the languid She Walks Between The Raindrops and brief rush of Make 'Em Cry are the highlights.
Pataphysics, a supremely talented three-piece specialising in jazzy hip hop are, it's blindingly obvious, on the up. Days away from winning a truckload of new fans with a set at Laneway, tonight's set sees them plugging a smooth Ben Harper-esque soul; playful with the melodies, heavy on the rhythm. If you ever wanted to seduce Lisa Bonet or one of Bob Marley's grandsons, this is your soundtrack. Always pushing a positive message via some rock solid arrangements, Pataphysics are an excellent choice for this varied line-up.
Despite there being only 50-odd people in the audience by the time Bohjass Upas Militia (BUM) take to the stage, excitement courses through the venue. This 17-piece explorchestra of jazz-funk-psych minimalism match the lo-fi cosmic projections beautifully. Opening with some brassy, noir-ish toning and spectral percussion, the band shows an astonishing level of restraint and silence, leaving the tension of what 'could' suddenly explode from the crowded stage lingering through their quieter movements. The band leaps from killer blaxploitation funk and delicate minimalism to Sun Ra freakouts in the tight constraints of a song-length piece, with a mere raising of bandleader Timothy Pledger's hand. At times BUM's rhythm section sounds like a programmed backing as it's so unusual to see and hear such intricate combinations of sounds. Swimming Pool is a blast of exuberant space funk and highlights the fluidity of the guitars and insistence of the brass; the music never feels as crowded as the stage looks. This is a fascinating, unique band and a blast of a show.
