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Live Review: Huge Magnet, Boom! Bap! Pow!, Ofa Fotu - Mojo's Bar

29 June 2014 | 6:14 pm | Liam B

"Songs from their new LP, Self Service, showcased a band of international quality."

The night was young and punters were prepared to party, with many making an effort to catch opener Ofa Fotu. Backed by a band producing soulful grooves and spine-tingling dynamic textures, Fotu's vocals were in fine form as her booming gospel wails and soft low drawls gave the bluesy rock sound real character.

It was funk soul pop group Boom! Bap! Pow! that really got the party going, with punters jumping around and singing along to hits off their upcoming LP. With bassist Clint Bracknell moving to Sydney in the near future, they played their hearts out.

Returning home from a tour of Spain, the refreshed members of Huge Magnet were ready to present their first LP after a year of gigging. The well-seasoned trio dished out excessive progressions of rock tones mixed with bluesy riffs and the occasional hint of harsh laconic vocal lines to embellish their otherwise instrumental compositions. Vocalist and drummer Paul Sloan added a comedic element to the set, and the easy-going nature of the band transferred onto the crowd.

Their garage boogie sound really had the crowd bopping and trampling back and forth around the Mojo's Bar floor. Guitarist Bretskii Hearn's progressive bluesy riffs accompanied by the driving bass lines played by Jay Bale Junior on his Hoffner bass made an impressive impression. Their catchy riffs were most likely repeating throughout the heads of punters the next day. Songs from their new LP,

Self Service,

showcased a band of international quality, and their bonafide effort at creating and reigniting a classic '70s sound and just doing what they love; playing great, memorable music.