Tim Rogers

When my editor said to me “you’ll be in the company of Tim Rogers,” I knew it wasn’t a passing comment. As anyone who’s witnessed Mr Rogers live, whether solo or with You Am I, would know, you’re not only seeing a live rock gig. You’re witnessing a professional, engaging and humourous individual.

Tonight at St Kilda’s grand National Theatre, Tim launched his new solo album, The Luxury of Hysteria, a deeply personal, largely acoustic and string laden affair. The ‘no drinking, all seated’ environment of the theatre created an immediate ‘how un-rock ‘n’ roll’ impression but this soon subsided when an elegantly suited Tim Rogers took to the stage, followed by a four piece string section. The lush, rich sounds of violins and cellos filled the venue as they slowly and hauntingly eased in the first song, the delicate ‘A Quiet Night In’, perfectly complementing its moving lyrics (the agony begins, to maintain a quiet night in). It took the rocking and comic side of Rogers, to whom fans have developed adoration, and regular bandmates Shane O’Mara on guitar, Ian Kitney on drums and Pete Lawler on bass in full force, a few songs to surface. Out of nowhere Tim quips: “There’s a moth infestation in Sydney at the moment,” much to the amusement of the audience. “I’ve been in Sydney the past two nights….a moth infestation. Bogan moths.” Pure genius!!

Lyrical and verbal characterization has always been Tim Rogers’ strength and on this album he takes the focus away from others and directs it towards his personal experience. Narratives about loneliness, sadness and loss shape the album, strongly resonating on songs like the title track, where he solemnly asks: Who ever said that broken hearts were made to mend?

First single from The Luxury of Hysteria, the delightful ‘When Yer Sad’, was so lively that people shuffled in their restricted seating as much as they could, lifted by the song’s happy spirit. The gig wavered between gentle ballads, for which the string section would leave and take to the stage intermittently, and vibrant pop songs. Fans wanting old school rock tunes were treated towards the end, with some electrifying rock performances that could have blown the roof off. An intense rendition of ‘Do It Again’ was one case, which he dedicated to ‘this great town’ and on which he reverted to classic Timmy Rogers poses – arms swinging 360 degrees and arse shaking in tune with the energy being created on stage.

Tim Rogers’ wise cracks were, as always, memorable highlights and tonight they were aplenty. ‘Here’s a piece of lyrical genius,’ he announces when launching into ‘The Luxury Of Hysteria’, an eerie, cold feel taking over the stage as its content was reduced to only Tim, Melanie Robinson on cello and Pete on bass. ‘Things Are Gonna Get Ugly’ is preceded by a quiet moment of autobiographical narrative. Tim kneels on the edge of the stage and begins: ‘This is where things get interesting. I just turned 38. I’ve lived more than some of you, and less than some of you.’ He continues, telling that all his songs have been based on relationships and how he was recently watching a couple ‘trying to woo each other’, when guest keyboardist, 67 Special’s Louis Macklin breaks into a jazzy piano intro. Tim follows, launching into an animated performance of the song, expressively gesturing with his hands and face.The full 13 piece band (with 4 brass instrumentalists) emerge for a classy orchestral performance of ‘James The Second’ before leaving the stage to a standing ovation.

Tim emerges for a three song encore, declaring ‘You are now officially part of the elite.’ They end with an unrecognized song: Pete on vocals, Tim raging away on guitar, finally allowing himself to let go and enjoy the culmination of the night.He earlier thanked us for tolerating the seated arrangements of the night – ‘thank you so fuckingly cuntishly much.’ Drinks or no drinks, conservative theatre or pub, sitting or standing…Tim, it was our absolute pleasure!

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