Presidents of The United States Of America

The year was 1996 and the world was a different place. We were optimistic. And why shouldn’t we have been? Dolly the Sheep became the first mammal to be cloned, the Nintendo 64 was officially released, and ‘Peaches’ had replaced ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ as the new anthem of choice.

It was the year of The Presidents. Talented, critically acclaimed and stars of a film clip where the band battled ninjas. What more could any 15-year-old year look for when choosing idols?

But that was a decade ago. I was apprehensive. Would this be a review of a high school reunion or a funeral? Would the lyrics to ‘Lump’ make any sense as an adult? Would I be the only one there?

My fears were unfounded. Hendrix blasted through the PA, and I waded through guys in Live T-Shirts, girls in denim, and both with long hair. I was in a time warp.

Enter The Presidents to confirm this. Dressed in matching business attire; ‘Video Killed the Radio Star’ opened the evening. Launching into a Kiss-like routine Chris Ballew and guitarist Andrew McKeag traded rock poses and robotic dancing. It was clear that even though Ballew may look like an orthodontist he is still capable of commanding a stage.

‘Kitty’ and ‘Tiki God’ appeased the audience’s desire to hear the hits. While lesser knowns, like ‘No Friction’ from ‘Love Somebody’, were inserted in-between the obvious back catalogue and drew a favourable response from the crowd. The highlight of the night hatched from one such new addition, as a manic performance of ‘Nuthin But Luv’ from ‘Freaked Out And Small’ peaked with an impromptu act of crowd surfing by Ballew.

Other notable mentions include the local go-go dancer’s stage debut for ‘Lump’, the ‘Bug City’ boys (whose desire to get on stage was not matched by ideas on what to do once up there), and the near violent implosion when a local gargantuan threatened to stage dive during ‘Kick Out The Jams’. Thankfully, the Presidents and the security at the Hi-Fi responded appropriately to all acts of crowd hysteria and any threat of rioting was subdued.

On a night with many highs, the lows were minor. The pre-band volume of Hendrix’s ‘Star Spangled Banner’ was comparable to what it would have actually been like to be at Woodstock. McKeag, the Presidents’ road guitarist, must not have noticed this as his post ‘Dune Buggy’ guitar solo was equally ear-shattering.

The Presidents of the United States of America may not be the commercial giants they once were. But the energy and near chaos at the Hi-Fi on Wednesday proved that they still are a relevant and, at times, explosive live act.

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