All You Need Is Beatles @ The Troubadour, Brisbane (13/02/2009)

Gig Reviews by Denistheman81, 15th February, 2009

Firstly, my apologies to Chloe Turner and Gladstone & Lochaber (none-more-Brisbane, having named themselves after a southside intersection), who I missed due to logistical hurdles that shall remain nameless; however as far as my (fellow giggoer-assisted) knowledge goes, both acts had delivered spirited readings of The Beatles’ perennials – the honey-voiced Chris Pickering protégé sublime on Yesterday and Across The Universe and the latter four-piece crankin’ it up on Helter Skelter and Come Together – in my shameful absence. That said, on with the story…

With all proceeds going to Medecins Sans Frontiers, the annual Bonefinger Records-presented All You Need Is Beatles event isn’t just a veritable Brisbane musical tradition, but also a chance for gifted local combos to showcase both their chops and love of John, Paul, George and Ringo. The packed Troubadour is a party place tonight; taking to the stage as a duo, psych-poppers Strange Attractors perform the third quality cover of A Day In The Life I’ve witnessed locally during the last few weeks (the other two being Neil Young and Jeff Beck), reverting to their usual 7-piece lineup during the iconic coda. From then, it’s a trip to the sun-dappled land of ‘60s melodies and vocal harmonies; Dear Prudence, the greatest Beatles B-side of them all Rain and _Help_’s hidden gem The Night Before are faithfully reproduced down to every lick and bass riff and the stream-of-consciousness set closer I Am The Walrus is hammered out with far more conviction than *Oasis*’s more high-profile, yet inferior take. Bravo, chaps!

A brief hop-over to Ric’s annoyingly means I only catch the last half of the lauded locals *Skinny Jean*’s slot, yet the two White Album tracks I’m present for – Yer Blues and The Continuing Saga Of Bungalow Bill – brim with authentic late ‘60s blues/folk rock crunch. It gets even better, though, once hard-gigging, Triple J-approved ‘60s pop/soul-lovers Hungry Kids Of Hungary announce their arrival with the snappy Taxman, following up with the harmony-rich janglefest_You’re Gonna Lose That Girl_. The quartet’s impressive skills are given a further workout on the rip-snortin’ version of Macca’s belter I’m Down, Abbey Road ‘roof concert’ staple Don’t Let Me Down, a jaw-droppingly precise Happiness Is A Warm Gun and a smokin’ I Want You (She’s So Heavy), singer/axeman Dean McGrath channelling both John Lennon and George Harrison in his impassioned screams and guitar solos. Their reputation as an excellent live act presenting itself right before my eager eyes and ears, HKOH prove to be the highlight of the night and their splendid set is comprehensively difficult to top.

Last on the bill, HKOH’s fellow hometown dwellers/Triple J faves Drawn From Bees employ an acoustic guitar and a tambourine as sole instrumentation at the beginning of their set, opening with an earthy, cruisy salvo of Because and the gospel-flavoured That Boy. Michelle sees the psychedelic troupe gradually electrify; the tempo gets accelerated with Drive My Car and Please Please Me before hitting full throttle on Money and A Hard Day’s Night. Rubber Soul is revisited twice more for Nowhere Man (fantastic) and the driving, attitude-laden Run For Your Life. Revved up some more, the punters put out their best moves for the obligatory _Twist And Shout _ – ever scream-a-delic fun. Reluctant to let the band go, we get treated to a brisk encore run through the Abbey Road side 2 medley of Mean Mr Mustard, Polythene Pam and She Came In Through The Bathroom Window ( You Never Give Me Your Money, The End and Her Majesty would have been nice too, but, alas, didn’t occur). Friday the 13th it may be, but The Beatles live on; so let it be and get back – with real love.

Article originally from fasterlouder.com

Bio in Brief

All are, in essence, strangely attractive, some however are more strangely than others. Emerging from today’s scattered musical turbulence, and the chaotic urban grind, seven music makers come together to dabble in psychedelic rock n roll and to observe its effects upon a new generation of hearts and minds. They are commonly known as The Strange Attractors, borrowing their name from a cereal box spouting chaos theory anecdotes, and have come to represent that curious allure that exists well outside of conventional beauty. Influence can be traced through musical traits passed on from the Beatles, Stones, Dylan, through to Oasis, Stone Roses, Jonestown, and the Dandies, and they play these evolved sounds extensively to the growing local scene on any stage that can house them all. Butterflies and hurricanes are among their favourite things.