There are some gigs you go to and you wonder if the paint is really drying or has time completely stopped and then there are gigs you go to where you clap along with the crowd because the guys are doing a passable job and you really want to pick your nose but clapping seems a more socially acceptable thing to do, but for every ninety nine gigs like the aforementioned, you finally get a gig like The Basics at The Norfolk Hotel on Sunday night which totally blows your socks into the middle of next week where the sit patiently waiting for you to catch up.
Arriving at the Norfolk cursing and screaming at having just missed Split Seconds, I settled into a crowded corner of the room, trying to fend off questions from some drunk who wanted to know why I didn’t use a flash and why did I have a pen and paper in my hand if I wasn’t going to write anything down, when the Basics hit the stage to the roar of the assembled massed.
After “The Banana of Death” was removed and the audience moved to the front of the stage, Wally, Tim and Kris exploded into this incredible mixture of funky blues and rock and roll that had the crowd going wild.
Wally seemed to be channeling Keith Moon on speed, with his demonic drumming (that is a show in itself) and Kris and Tim provided accompaniment on bass and guitar (they are two of the best performers I have seen in a long time). All three are incredibly engaging and entertaining, as well as truly gifted musicians. All three guys provide vocals and when its all thrown in the pot, the result is pure magic.
There are touches of The Destroyers, Split Enz, Redgum and the Beatles in a truly unique and magical sound that is very infectious and uplifting.
The Basics original music is a joy to listen to with “The No. 1 Cause of Death Amongst Youth Today” definitely a standout on the night, but their cover of “Three Cool Cats” was incredible.
The Basics are the total package, they can play well, their vocals are magnificent and they provide some of the best entertainment and music going around today.
A sensational show…. Make sure you catch them next time around
