Dukes of Windsor

First up for the evening’s entertainment were local lads Bachelor of Arts, who have previously played as support for Flamingo Crash. What makes this band distinctive is the unique set up – it is the drummer who clearly fronts the band, playing centremost onstage. His rather simplistic kit is somewhat deceptive with regards to his ample dexterity. I would have to say one of the best drummers I have seen in my time prancing about the various music venues. However this is by far the band’s biggest shortcoming; at the end of the set I had no idea as to what the band was like simply because the skilful drumming overpowered the bass and guitar. Although not a musically overachieving group of lads, if you do like banging on the pots and pans it is definitely worth a peep at the fellow on the drum kit.

Flamingo Crash are standing on the sidelines as second support to Dukes of Windsor this evening. Originating in Brisbane, these four now call Melbourne home. From their quirky keyboard licks to kooky attire and far too much hairspray, it’s hard to find a comparison that will suffice. Talking Headsmeets Scooby Doo comes to mind. Flamingo Crash’s consistent use of boppy beats will get even the most avid wallflower out on that dancefloor. And not just another weary rock throwback group that seem to be proliferating the music scene of late - take the genre of rock and spin it out with some electro beats, prep it up with a bit of pop then slap it across the face with some intelligence. And there you have it.

With a skyhigh hairdo and manicured facial hair to rival that of Craig David, Isaac Emmanuel is intriguing to watch onstage. Along with his guitar, Emmanual is predominantly on vocals throughout the set, at times sharing the microphone with his fiancée / keyboardist Cate Porter. With a white bob and oversized glasses, I dare say Miss Porter looks like a character from Austin Powers or the children’s cartoon I previously likened them to. You can see why Japan loves these kids!

Flamingo Crash’s high-rotation radio single It’s Mystery Music is second last on tonight’s set list (the title sums up their performance quite aptly), and they round up the act with the odd couple sharing the keys and microphone for a catchy duet.

And yes, ‘twas time for Dukes of Windsor. I had previously done a radio interview with two of the boys last year, but as yet I had not seen them perform live. I was also rather excited at the prospect of hearing some of their new material as the Dukes have spent the last few months recording their upcoming album in Sweden. They were running late to start but that was quickly forgotten when they opened with new songs Refuse and Evil Woman. It was peculiar to see all five boys at times singing at once, a nice touch I must say. The Dukes’ vocalist Jack Weaving did appear somewhat detached from the music; he spent much of the set trying to distract the bassist for some unknown reason and also forgot the lyrics at one point. To his credit though, his impressive pitch range and unique voice gives the group their distinctive sound. The audience joined in for their better known track The Others, shouting along with Weaving. The Dukes latest track It’s a War they kept for the latter part of the set and it appeared to be a hit with the crowd. The boys’ departure from the stage was met with chants for more and soon enough they reappeared for an encore, with an older track of theirs, Handsome Man.

All in all an energetic night indeed.

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