The Fumes

I went to this gig featuring headliners The Fumes, telling myself to keep my mind neutral in an attempt to review from a fair and balanced perspective. Upon entering the band room and seeing Whiskey Go Go's up on stage yet again (this was the third time I had seen them as a support band now) and hearing only a handful of notes, all of my previously decided upon preconceptions about this band came flooding back and I wanted to tear out my hair, or, at the very least the hair of those in the crowd that were seemingly loving this band performing. What I can only declare is they are one of the most blatant, poorly attempted and thinly veiled rip off cover bands I have ever seen. Now that may seem harsh, but this was a chance for third time lucky, but unfortunately for the boys it was more like strike three and you're out.

If you were at this gig and you enjoyed the Whiskey Go Go's, i'd recommend just staying at home and listening to Kings Of Leon. It'd be a much more satisfying experience and will still make your blood boil, but in a good way. The best part of this too long support act was a cowbell solo, and even then I almost slapped myself for enjoying anything that was being transparently reproduced on stage. To their credit the Whiskey Go Gos can in fact play music. They do seem to have quite the solid lineup of a band that can deliver, aside from the tambourine man (I still have no idea what his role is exactly) but if you like your musician boys to dress like pirates as seems to be the trend at the moment, have old school Beetles hair and basically look like some amalgamated form of Tim Rogers, Davey Lane and the Jet boys incarnate then go ahead and like this band. Especially if you like Kings Of Leon.

As soon as The Fumes hit the stage all negativity left me. Now, I've honestly seen these guys quite a few times, and I am a little biased as I do love their stuff, but if you'd been there that night you'd have witnessed one hell of a great performance. For a blues rock 2 piece in the likes of The Black Keys but with a little more Aussie kick, the boys played an awesome and refreshingly revamped set. Mixing it up this time with the never before performed song 'Mystery Belle', Steve proved that he can captivate the fans just as well as a solo artist singing a sea shanty type lullaby as he can with Joel bashing away like the Energizer Bunny on his skins. For two guys in bare feet and equally quite and softly spoken both on and off stage team Fumes had the room buzzing with enthusiastic excitement.

When it came time for their most widely known hit 'Automobile' the crowd lapped it up. More than just a few onlookers were mouthing all the words and knew every beat and riff to the song. It was a spectacular thing to witness. The night was not without its humor also, as a fan called out to Joel offering him a Rum and Coke, getting the typical smart arsed reply of "NO Coke!" from the drummer. Almost with no energy reserve the boys returned to the stage for an encore, finally leaving with pretty huge grins on their faces mirroring only the ones reflected on those faces in the sea of satisfied listeners.

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