Tapes n Tapes

I went into this gig totally unfamiliar with the work of Tapes n' Tapes, having heard good reports from friends who are into the indie rock scene, I took up the opportunity to catch them on their last show in Australia. The small condensed surroundings of the Amplifier were a perfect setting for this band, fresh off a sellout tour in the UK and stellar performances at the all important South by South West music festival in the US. They truly appeared comfortable and at home playing to the typically laid back, welcoming, Perth pub crowd. A crowd which, while surprisingly small in numbers, enthusiastically absorbed every moment of the quirky keyboard laiden, college vocalized, punchy, addictive, guitar riffed compositions, you come to expect from a live indie act. As for me however, I was there to view it in a critical manner and having barely heard them and indie not being my most favourite genre, the colourful, head nodding inducing performances they were spilling were not going to be soaked up as easily with me as with the paying punters. By the end of the show though, I was definitely having just as much fun as any member of the crowd, most of who resembled someone from The Velvet Underground/Yardbirds fashion era.

The music of Tapes n' Tapes, whilst not having heard a lot of it in its recorded format to compare with, seems like the type that will always be a more enjoyable experience live. They go from moments of jovial eccentricities where you can’t help but want to skip around like your heads in the clouds then slide into energized moments of madness reminiscent of ‘Arcade Fire’, where the skipping has now turned into a vigorous shaking of the head and tapping of the feet. You can’t ask for much more as a paying member of the audience. The softer tracks they performed, with the spaced out guitar delay effect and edgy high tones, were no doubt ‘Pixies’ inspired tracks but always with their own uniqueness to it. Never once as I was listening did I think, ‘these guys are just trying to be another Pixies’, I was always thinking ‘that kinda sounds like the 'Pixies’ but in the end they only really sounded like Tapes n' Tapes.

Not knowing any of the names of the tracks, I have turned to the trusted ear of a good mate who definitely knows what sort of vibe a live song should project. So I can safely say, the highlight tracks of the evening were 'Manitoba' and 'Insistor' and the definite crowd pleaser, ‘Cowbell’, which is the only song I think I recognized, mostly due to the cheer that went up when the intro for it played.

After going into the show with a totally open mind, no bias and no extensive idea of what to expect, I enjoyed the show none the less and certainly left as a fan of the band. Indie music has taken a while for me to take a liking to and while you don’t want to over use the term, Tapes n' Tapes are a quality indie act who have given me yet another push to enjoy this alternative style. They produce an energetic, warming and entertaining live show. Expect to hear them on an OC episode anytime soon.

Special thanks to Nelson for providing the highlight tracks to make this review somewhat credible.

* Just a small note…. I was pissed off to have read the band had a bunch of their stuff stolen out of their van at City Beach. So, if theres any ridiculously cheap second hand effects pedals or mac laptops going round…. let the band know on their website. It’s a struggle being an up and coming independent band, not made easier by some people who are fucking scum.

(Hear!, Hear! - Ed)

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