Brisbane Powerhouse - Fri Jun 26

Kicking off this all ages gig, local upstarts Last Dinosaurs don’t really contribute anything special to the world of bouncy angular dance rock, but it’s still a commendably high-energy set with only a few nervous comments from lead singer and guitarist Sean Caskey. It must break your heart to dedicate your life to a career where the main payoff is to get laid, only to look into a crowd and see a sea of tweens. This is the dilemma faced by Philadelphia Grand Jury, the recent recipients of much hype and praise that I very much don’t understand. Berkfinger’s caked on fake American accent grates very quickly, while his pre-programmed voice-overs further give the feeling that you’re watching a lunchtime show at Chuck E Cheese. Of course the kiddies love their bubblegum garage pop, but have you watched Video Hits lately? Those little bastards will watch anything. But the band under the real spotlight tonight is Yves Klein Blue, fresh from an extended period in the US and with a debut album to show off. It’s their first local show in a long time and it shows; some songs meander with nerves while others threaten to explode all over the crowd. The new songs are solid, if lacking in much evolution or development (one such example, Make Up Your Mind, sounds like three songs being played at once, none of which are that great). Already a rock god in his own mind, leader Michael Tomlinson still appears to be reading lines rather than playing the part, but a cheeky smile prevails. The crowd sing-along in We’re Getting Wise is a nice touch, but it’s their unhinged version of Springsteen’s Born To Run that is almost worth attendance alone, even if I felt like the only other person that knew the song. Yves Klein Blue’s return is not the fulfillment of prophecy we were hoping for, but tonight’s sell-out show is nothing to laugh at.

MITCH ALEXANDER

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