Radio Star

Local lads Radio Star launched their new EP Here We Are at the well-established Corner Hotel, a venue I seem to be frequenting quite a bit of late. With notable acts such as Broken Social Scene, The Bravery and Van She recently joining the extensive list of groups to have played on this very corner, I had high expectations for the evening ahead.

To my dismay, the first act left me somewhat disappointed. I had heard good things about Melbourne’s Sojourn, who made quite an impact whilst trying their luck in Los Angeles, the city of dreams. I’m still unsure what all the fuss is about. Having returned in January from their time abroad, the band despondently open to a rather empty drinking hole. The small audience is in marked contrast to their popular international gigs, but that doesn’t seem to have them disheartened; the boys played with wide-eyed enthusiasm from start to finish. The foursome did appear rather awkward on such a large stage though, bunching quite closely together comfortingly rather than taking full advantage of the space. Sojourn also had an uncomfortable moment or two whilst their guitarist had to retune his strings for the final song. By the time they launched into their popular single My Lady, My Girl, the crowd seemed to have warmed to these Tasmanian boys. Sojourn, which in literary terms means ‘a temporary stay’, is an ironic name for a group of boys who crossed the Bass Strait in search of the bright lights of Melbourne more than five years ago. While they attribute Nirvana and Queens of the Stone Age as some of their influences, Sojourn’s sound doesn’t stray far from our very own Jet. Perhaps a little too close for comfort. What they lacked in originality though the boys made up for with appearance I must say. To their credit, they have redefined ‘sojourn’ as ‘impeccably-dressed raw rock’.

Dirty Pink Jeans were next to take on the rock theme this evening, adding their own bluesy touch with the incorporation of the old black and whites. The previous four-piece decided to become five with an additional member on keys joining earlier this year. Frontman for the band James Drinkwater is certainly not one to shy away from performing, throwing in all the clichéd rock’n’roll moves. Two triumphant fingers in the air were followed by a jump in the air timed to the final smash of the drums. Between the lads up front strumming their air guitar along to the grungy electric strings or the simplistic yet catchy drumbeats that got the lasses bopping away on the floor, Dirty Pink Jeans’ have a commercial appeal to their music.

The final of the rock trio, Radio Star, had the place fill up in next to no time. While they may look like they are all fresh out of highschool, don’t let their age cast a shadow of doubt over their potential – just look to the example led by Operator Please. Their youthfulness is endearing. With barely a year to their name, these boys have got their act together, having shared the stage with the likes of Gyroscope, Trial Kennedy, The Galvatrons, Dukes of Windsor, British India and the aforementioned Operator Please. Their fusion of upbeat strums and quick-paced beats, poppy keys and fun synths layered with sing-a-long vocals gives a refreshingly youthful perspective on the over-produced dance-rock that seems to be dominating the industry. Crowd pleasers to say the least, their energetic EP launch had everything from various members of the audience crowd surfing to some jumping onstage to share the microphone for one last song. Radio Star made my ten dollars spent worthwhile.

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