Rowland S Howard is one of those haunting figures of the Melbourne music scene that everybody, musicians and non-musicians alike, seem to be in complete awe of, I myself can admit to that.
The setting of St Kilda’s Prince Bandroom seemed to be a historically appropriate venue for Howard to play, the Fiztroy St strip being a great part of his ‘stomping ground’ from back in his Young Charlatan and Boys Next Door days. The combination of his dishevelled, alien yet somewhat dapper appearance and his dark, powerful songs set the atmosphere of the bandroom alight with anticipation. Everyone knew this was something we may not ever see again. Our intriguingly depressing frontman was in good spirits, and engaging with the enthusiastic show-goers in the front.
Accompanied by JP Shilo and the lovely Mick Harvey on drums, Rowland opened his set with ‘Pop Crimes’, the namesake of his new album, with the creepy bassline echoing around the intimate venue, to be followed by the rolling and lamenting ‘Dead Radio’ for his first solo effort Teenage Snuff Film, sullen and completely breath-taking.
Amongst his set was Jay and the Americans’ cover ‘She Cried’ and ‘Life’s What you Make It’, originally by Talk Talk. One particular highlight was ‘Wayward Man’, with its angular guitar and Howard singing in this snide manner.
Claiming to have “forgotten the last song of the set”, Howard came back on and finished the night with another two numbers, ‘Exit Everything’ and the wirery ‘Sleep Alone’ . Somehow Howard had accumulated a blood mouth during his performance, though politely asking the crowd for a tissue he claimed it proved we could “get blood out of a stone”.
Rowland S Howard’s song have this striking genius about them, there is no one out there writing songs even near the same calibre as he. He captures emotion and throws it back out there to be seen and heard through his illuminating lyrics and distorted, hectic guitar work. His performance at the Prince Bandroom was a sight I feel so honoured to have seen.
Photo by John Raptis - visceralindustry.com
