The Woohoo Revue

It’s jazz, but not as you know it! A devil-may-care lolly bag of the odd and the funky tonight at the Soc. Even when we arrive, and the band room is only littered with thirty-odd punters, a giant wolf-kangaroo-thing and an owl (instilling in me, or perhaps confirming, a fear of owls) are greeting each Joe and Jane as we wait for the festivities.

Asking for Trouble, a two-piece female acrobatics act, kept the troops entertained as the venue filled out. Their tumbling and twirling and balancing and hooplah-ing made us all oooh and aaah like bird watchers. Aargh, that owl is circling.

Hooray for Flap! There was the odd punter who didn’t know the magic of Flap!, but soon they were grinning and dahncing like the rest of us, shouting, “who are these guys?” to which I would always reply, “Flap!” and make a peculiar but succinct flapping motion and look moronic. Anyway. These guys never fail to put on a brilliant show, and if you haven't seen them live, you are sorely missing out. Really, go see them or I won't talk to you. Seriously...think I won't? Yeah, you'll see. Yeah, you better walk away.

Teacup Tumble was another acrobatics act. The same girls as before, but dressed in more demure whites and melodramatic lighting. Their routine this time was just as impressive, but less energetic, seeming more like a forlorn ballet piece. One would never think that circus acts would have their place squeezed between bands at a pub, but it sure works.

The Woohoo Revue had set quite a scene for their album launch. As they began to play from the album in question- DearAnimals- one may be momentarily distracted by the screen playing a wildlife documentary. Since there was no sound, there was no velvety David Attenborough voice to draw me away from the Revue, and I watched as the guys and gal beat it out.

They all wore varying homemade alligator hats (one of which was actually a green Coles canvas bag) and their on-stage presence is illuminating. Especially the beautiful Rebecca Wade on violin. And a mean one she plays, at that. The group all are amazingly talented musicians, and the Woohoo sound is a frenzied blur of Balkan, gypsy, swing and jazz. You know the kind of sound I’m shooting at; the kind that makes you dance by kicking your legs about haphazardly and spinning until you can feel your brain burning. The band managed to sap the entire populace of the NSC of energy, beating them senseless with their whirling tango tunes. Big big love for the Woohoo.

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