The Exploders

Lets face facts. Since the non-smoking rule rolled in on the back of an artic winter, attendances have been low at hotels like the Nash (Taswegians think a grotty Republic, Sydney folk think a small scale Annandale, Melbournites think a rural Tote). There have been very few hard nut rockers to venture out to catch the unknowns that finally get a chance to play while the headliners hibernate in studios. As such it was a little surprising to see the people of Geelong out in force for not only one of the greatest local headliners around, but making the effort to get in early to catch their supports too.

The High Heels opened proceedings nicely. Walking a line somewhere between Iggy Pop stomping frivolity and Nirvana level distortion, it was the perfect foreplay for what was to come. Including the somewhat obtuse inter-song banter about drinking a bus.

If Alan Campbell was a single man he’d have to be black. Even without a bass they are nothing but phunk. (FYI - Their bass dude was off in Viet Nam. Following his heart or dick, depending on which band member you asked) Having no lower end to their sound obviously made things sound a little 60s guitar rock, but there was still a feeling of phunk bruddas, with a tripped out Hendrix composing. Besides, their phenomenal drummer made the lack of bass negligible. Visually the band was slightly comical, even before the manboob guy in leopard skin tights rushed the stage the stage. The psychedelic funk rock sound combine with the stage look to leave me with the impression of listening to the Muppets band (who were kickass by the way).

The stage looked a little more crowded than usual as The Exploders set up. The extra mic and keys were taken up by the Robert Plant cum Ritchie Sambora look-a-like Jay. Rumour has it he’s done some work with The Sleepy Jackson. The keys added some relaxed undercurrent to the guitar blaster tunes, while his assistance during 'Fuzz Bomb' made it the best live version I’ve ever had the pleasure of hearing.

They opened the sow with a couple of new tracks from the recent Easy and the Sun release, and the crowd listened attentively. They soon started moving as the familiar 'Stepping Out' kicked in, cleverly interwoven into a medley paying homage to the Beatles – complete with head shaking “woos”. The tracks did seem to amble along rather than strut ferociously, but new tracks 'Straight Ahead' and 'Nevil' were real standouts (although I’m a sucker for a whistle along). The old faves kept coming as their very game attempt at following Alan Campbell with a psychadelic kinda song sounded more like “hey man, look I found the wahwah!” Despite dealing with curtains falling on him and multiple stick snappings, the gun for hire drummer stood tall with a great 'Funky Cold Medina/Wild Thing' drum break leading into 'Liberty'. After starting with a bit of a stroll they ended the night with a march and a rumble, and the live music starved local wanting for more.

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