Live Review: Peter Combe, De Grussa Band

Stepping into the Fly By Night Musicians Club for the Peter Combe's 'Big Kid Show', the nostalgia hit you immediately and you could tell the crowd all had a special place for the upbeat Combe tunes of their youth. The de Grussa Band kicked off proceedings in a decidedly different way. Describing themselves as 'an extravagant piano-based Glam Rock band'; this was a band with their tongue firmly placed in cheek. A piano covered in pink fur, a wireless guitar and some banging double bass action created a party vibe. Songs ranged from originals about White Shoes to a medley of the Monkey Magic theme song, Eye Of The Tiger and She's A Maniac. As you do. The highlight was when the Mill Point Quartet joined the band for a hilarious rendition of Gangster's Paradise.

It can be hard to muster enthusiasm on a Sunday night, when the thought of having to wake up early for work the next day can be nauseating. However, when Peter Combe hit the stage with his Quirky Berserky Bellyflop In A Pizza Band a strange feeling washed over the crowd. Combe was here to promote his latest album Quirky Berserky, The Turkey From Turkey, and whilst new songs can often go down like a lead balloon at live shows, Combe's running commentary and turkey dance moves were infectious and proved that the children of Australia are still in safe hands. Combe's new songs were happy, witty and even a bit educational. By the time he rolled out favourites such as Chopsticks, tearjerker Down In The Bathroom and Rain Keeps Tumbling Down the crowd was dancing and singing like they were back in their living rooms without a care in the world. It wouldn't be too off to say the crowd went 'berserk' when favourites such as Spaghetti Bolognaise, Toffee Apple and Wash Your Face With Orange Juice were played and rightly so.

It is clear that Peter Combe is still young at heart and full of talent. While he may not have the fancy production and big bucks of The Wiggles, he proved that some things, like children's songs, are best kept simple.