REVIEWS
If you would like to submit a review of a show you have seen recently for submission to the website please email it to us!
From The Gnome: The Screaming Jets
12/07/2008 12:15:13 PM
The Screaming Jets
The Metro GnomeRevesby Workers
Friday, July 11, 2008
Quiet Crowd, Great Gig
Why don’t people get out there and see live music? Is it just Sydney with pathetically small audiences? People talk about the hey days back in the 70s and 80s when you could go see great bands every weekend. Well, you know what? THERE ARE GREAT BANDS PLAYING EVERY WEEKEND! You people are just too lazy to go home from work, eat your dinner, and then go out into the cold night to rock. You’re too old.
F*ck that. I went out.
The Screaming Jets are a great rock band. Every song starts with grunt and melody. Intros get your heart pumping. Paul and Mickl, on bass and drums respectively, are the heart of the band. Duelling guitarists, Izzy and Scotty, are the muscles, making the sound big, full, and dynamic. With two guitarists they have more sonic power; nothing in the rhythm gets lost during the solos - everything keeps pumping. And, while I’m using anatomy to describe this band, I might as well say that Dave is the skin. He holds it all together, makes you watch him, and embodies the character of the band.
The Wrath of Gleeson
What do John Howard, George Bush, The Pope, Amy Winehouse, The Balmain Tigers, and Dennis Ferguson have in common? They can’t escape the wrath of Gleeson. Dave can’t help but stir up emotions with his between-song banter. He challenges bureaucracy, power, religion, and anything else that enters his mind. With a mic in his hand he ruthlessly berates people who aren’t there to defend themselves. Dave doesn’t care. He has a pulpit and he uses it. Without apology he throws out foul sentiments. He isn’t afraid to put his foot in his mouth. Last night, he asked this western Sydney audience if they follow AFL. The silence was deafening. Then he followed with a firm stance on his sexual preferences, “Just because I’ve moved to Adelaide, I haven’t gone all soft and gay.”
As I watched and listened to him, I couldn’t help but wonder what the Americans or Europeans will think. Will he endear himself to them with his honesty? Or will he make them angry? How will the Screaming Jets make it big? Will the Aussie pride (justifiable) and opinionated rants (showing true character) get in the way of the music?
I’ve read the old forum and I’ve seen past articles. The Screaming Jets have been saying that a new album is coming for YEARS. We got a taste of what better be the first single last night (I’ve heard it a few times now, and I think it’s a winner). Do Ya? Do Ya? Do Ya? Do Ya? Was written by Izzy and suits the band perfectly. The lyrics scream Dave. The guitar riff is awesome. It’s a rock song with a Jets edge. It’s got radio written all over it. I can’t wait for it to be the opening song of a set, with every punter knowing the words and shouting along, rather than hidden away in the middle.
Encores Suck
Don’t get me started on the encores again. Oops, too late. Last night, the band should have walked off stage and into the dressing room and stayed there. Not because their show didn’t deserve an encore, but because the punters were quiet. No chanting, no clapping, no swell of emotion to GIVE US MORE. Nope, the lights didn’t come up, and so they expected to get the encore. They stood there and waited. You could hear general chatter for Christ’s sake!
F*ck that. Here’s my advice to bands. Play everything. Give ‘em everything you’ve got. Then walk off stage and kiss ‘em good-bye. If they won’t let you leave the building without one more, play your favourite song again. But only after the house lights have come on and the decibel metre goes off the scale.
GET OUT THERE, Australia. I’m sick of seeing great bands play to half filled rooms. Find a designated driver, drink a few beers, and rock hard. You only get one life.
The Screaming Jets are playing tonight (Saturday, July 12) at Rooty Hill RSL, Friday, July 18 at Souths Juniors, and Saturday, July 19 at The Hunter Brewrey in Maitland.
LIVE @ THE BRIDGE HOTEL, ADELAIDE 27 JAN '08
FASTER LOUDER REVIEW
There have been a lot of great bands that have come out of this country’s unique pub rock scene over the years. Some of these bands have succeeded overseas and continued on, while others have faded away after failing to break out onto the international scene. I’m talking about great acts such as AC/DC, Midnight Oil, INXS, Cold Chisel and Rose Tattoo. These bands are all legendary, hard working, hard rocking, hard drinking, Aussie rock superstars. They gave it their all because music was all they lived for (or so it would seem). Unfortunately, in this day and age, pub rock is not what it used to be. The current Aussie rock favourites (Silverchair, Thirsty Merc, Powderfinger…etc,) look more like soft, lethargic, uni students, rather than rock legends; in my opinion at least. It seems that the closest you can get to the vibe of a real pub rock show nowadays is a country music show, which is great if you can handle twangy guitars and corny songs about utes. This brings me to my point for today- there are some rare exceptions to this modern day dilemma. With a huge sigh of relief, I can happily say, ‘Thank god for The Screaming Jets!’
Upon arriving at the Bridgeway Hotel for the Jets latest visit to Adelaide; it was great to see that as always, the band had attracted yet another healthy sized crowd. In all the years that I’ve been going to see the Jets perform, I can’t remember ever seeing a quiet gig. By the time the band hit the stage, the classic pub gig vibe was well and truly in the room. Although I was initially shocked to see that original guitarist Grant Walmsley was absent (and replaced by ex-Horsehead guitarist Scott Kingman), it was soon clear that the band had lost none of their onstage dynamic.
If anything, their performance seemed even more intense than usual, especially from guitarist Izzy Osmanovic’s corner of the stage, and as usual, frontman Dave Gleeson was a crazed ball of energy for the entire set. The Jets blitzed through all of their usual back catalogue favourites, a few forgotten gems from past albums and I was more than happy to hear a few new tunes (from an upcoming and overdue new album) which all went down very well with the hot and sweaty crowd. The biggest Jets hits were saved for the last few songs of the set (Shivers, Better, and C’mon) and for the encore, ex-Rose Tattoo guitarist Rockin’ Rob Riley got up to play with the band, which really emphasised the classic pub rock gig vibe that was in the air for the whole occasion.
It really is impossible (for me especially) not to have a good time at a Screaming Jets show. They always seem to be able to capture a spirit from the room that seems to be largely missing from far too many rock shows these days which makes the beer goes down far too easily and makes me look like a serious alcoholic to anyone who only ever sees me at Jets shows. Long live the Jets!
Rock on
LIVE REVIEW - CORNER HOTEL MELBUORNE
BEAT MAGAZINE - JAMES RIDLEY
"Aussie rock is built on strong foundations, we don't need little cunts like that coming along and wrecking it. Pretenders - that's all they'll ever be." Dave Gleeson has been screaming for The Jets since they began building a reputation for straight-up, no bullshit, smokin' pub rock in the 80s. Having played just about every RSL across the nation over the past two decades and even racking up a few Top 40 hits themselves, The Screaming Jets are more than entitled to comment on the current crop of Australian bands following along the gorge to rock and roll glory they helped graft. It was in this light that Gleeson happily told the packed out, predominantly over 30 crowd in jeans and AC/DC T-shirts last Friday, exactly what he thought of The Vines.
Coming off the back of a big-riffing, rip-roaring, enjoyable and energetic side-stage set from fellow Aussie rockers, Maeder, The Jets had little amping up to do, the crowd was already well lubed and in the mood to go off.
Gleeson asked if anyone remembered when they played their first gig at the Corner, on the smaller stage Maeder had just tore up, but it seemed no-one did. "Good!" He said, ".either do I, I was blind!" Looking right through you with those devil eyes and prowling in and around his band mates, Gleeson challenged you to have a go and in doing so, took the room by the balls. Squeezing tighter, he requested to see everyone's palms raised, then came Helping Hand. The atmosphere and noise level lifted significantly, as this was the first song most people could sing along to without mumbling bits to fill in the gaps between choruses.
Continuing his lashing between songs, Gleeson referred to Pete Murray and the like as; boring, nice, non-offensive rock; Bush and Howard as fuckwits thinking they rule the world and a certain writer from The Herald Sun, as a c@#t for describing them as no longer relevant. Their music spoke loudest of all, tight and with fire, their set oozed professionalism. The Screaming Jets struck out, taking on everything from global politics to the all-smothering Olympics, with tongue, strings and thumping drums. Their assault on the immediate crowd and the world outside the hammered walls of the Corner was epitomised by the powerful, ever-relevant Eve of Destruction. The hits, Shivers and Better finished the night off with a bang. The Screaming Jets put on a real show, reminding the present day of "pretenders" how uncompromising, balls and all, Aussie rock is supposed to be played.
HEART OF THE MATTER EP REVIEW
BEAT MAGAZINE - ARTHUR KARRAS
Five track EP to remind fans that The Screaming Jets had not gone away. The EP was financed by the band and it's a teaser for an album at a later stage. Having sen them lately The Jets have written heaps of new songs and the five here continue their Australian rock tradition. The EP in main is a little heavier than the mellower stuff on their last two records and whilst most of the band are married and now fathers, there's no sign of softening up. "Another Day" is a hybrid mix of ska and reggae and turns into a rifest by songs end. "Pablo" is rather educational about the Columbian drug scene and "Reputation" deals with all of life's twists and turns. "Right Place, Wrong Time" is already a live favourite, and no doubt there is plenty of fuel left in these engines.
HEART OF THE MATTER EP REVIEW
BORDERMAIL - JAMIE HORNE
RATING: 4/5 Stars
IN SHORT: A Flying Return
They've been out of action since 2001 and now Newcastle's baddest rock band are back. Having carved their name in Australian rock folklore thanks to anthems such as "Better", "Stop The World" and "Shiver", The Jets have rediscovered their passion and are ready to jump on the rock 'n' roll train again. "Heart of the Matter", the group's first EP release in 12 years, sees Dave Gleeson and the boys in excellent form with the patented Screaming Jets' sound fully in-tact as evidenced by the radio-will-love this "Reputation". The title track boasts the sort of infectious chorus the Jets made much of their money on and is easily the pick of the EP's five tracks. Elsewhere, the heavier "Right Place, Wrong Time" is also super-catchy and likely to be a live favourite, the mid-tempo "Pablo" shows the boys have lost none of their versatility and the closer "Another Day" parties along an Area 7-type ska-rock vibe.
LIVE REVIEW EVAN THEATRE PENRITH PANTHERS
HAWESBURY GAZETTE - PAUL WOODHAMS
Get ready to Rock! The screaming Jets are back better than ever. The Jets who play the Richmond Club this Saturday night raised the roof at Penrith Panthers (Evans Theatre) on Friday 30th July.Despite having a few years off the boys have lost none their old magic as they ripped inot classic after classic. It was great to the old stuff like "Stop the World" and "Blue Sashes" , while songs from the new EP sound like they'll become favourites too. New single "heart of the Matter" was well appreciated by the packed house. Frontman Dave Gleeson was in fine form telling a few joke and beating his chest about various issues. Beware of corporate rock like Shannon "Jimmy Barnes" Noll that pretends to be the real thing! was the call of the night. Energetic Col Hatchman was awesome to watch. Bassist paul Woseen ran around with just as much energy as Gleeson, while Grant Wlamsley's guitar skills were first class as usual. "Better" and "Helping hand" had the crowd going off, while my favourite "October Grey" sounded just as good. I thought the AC/DC classic "Ain't no Fun (Waitin' round to be a Millionaire)" was an appropriate way to end the gig.!
INTERVIEW WITH DAVE GLEESON
TIME OFF MAGAZINE - BRAD LARTER
Having spent the best part of the last six months finalising the release of a new DVD and shooting a video for a single off their Heart Of The Matter EP, The Screaming Jets are eager to take their notoriously commanding rock'n'roll show on the road. Frontman, Dave Gleeson is quick to reveal the new live show "is not about the light show, it's not about the pyro, it's about rockin' ya fuckin' head off!" "We've actually got a new video coming out that has a bit of a dig at The Vines," Gleeson laughs. "It descends into a big fight - it's unreal. There's blood and guts, spittin' blood and everything! That guy [Vines singer Craig Nicholls] can't sing, can't dance. get f*#ked! I can't believe everyone got caught up in the hype. "People have got to start realise that there's substance in learning your craft. It's not about style! Style is what Coca-Cola sells; style is what Big Brother wants you to believe, but substance is something that carries you through a whole career and makes people go, 'I love them guys!'. "I don't understand why our playlist has to be dictated by what dickheads in America are listening to because, on the whole, it's pretty crap. It has very little relevance to Australian life and rock music."
The new Screaming Jets DVD, Hits And Pieces, captures some of the best rock'n'roll moments of the band's action-packed 15-year career and brings back a flood of remarkable memories for Gleeson. "Yeah, it's classic," Gleeson remarks. "You sit here sometimes and yearn for the day, you know. A friend of ours, Perry Cooper who edited it together, he's kind of been into film ever since we were all at school together and he documented a lot of stuff. "There's actually a gig at Darling Harbour on the DVD, which Perry has cut together over [the band's AC/DC cover] 'Aint No Fun (Waiting Round To Be A Millionaire)'. There's an overpass over Darling Harbour that's about probably 50 feet above the water. We were out on a barge and there are people jumping off this overpass into the water and there are guys doing full dives and it was insane! So I jumped in the water and everyone swam over toward me. In my best possible interest, they all started to grab me and drown me, but I got saved by the Harbour Police. They took me back around to the barge and there's about 30 seconds of me [in the clip] throwing up Sydney Harbour water in these fuckin' filth projectile vomits.
"There's so many things I remembered about that day," Gleeson continues."I did the Cher impersonation I got in trouble for; I tucked me old-fella back and pulled me strides down; I used the big 'C' word on an MTV interview with Richard Wilkins and I got a tattoo the night before and stayed out all night."