I was stuck for words when a friend asked me to describe Bad//Dreems pre-gig.
I stumbled through a list of musicians I initially believed the band drew similarities to, naming Dune Rats, Hockey Dad, The Smith Street Band and Skeggs before realising I was amateurishly skimming through Australian bands that in fact bared little resemblance, besides their nationality.
Disgruntled, I decided their gig at Woolly Mammoth (8 June) would be an opportunity to gain some clarity. But instead, I’m even more perplexed as to who I would suggest if somebody asked for likeminded artists; truth be told, there’s nobody making music quite like Bad//Dreems in the modern market.
Thigh Master was the opening act, followed by Brisbane band The Creases. My brother sees the adjective ‘quirky’ as an insult though here, it’s tricky to find a describing word more suitable.
These boys are well aboard the alternative, indie-rock band ‘look’ that seems to be sweeping through the industry, though their mannerisms and stage presence manage to abolish any risk of being unoriginal. All four members are extraordinarily entertaining to witness, each in their own ‘quirky’ way.
The bassist’s sultry attitude, the drummer’s teeming enthusiasm, the guitarist’s palpable seriousness and unusual dress sense and the frontman’s evident passion produces quite the visual spectacle. Initially, as an audience member, I quietly decided the band was ‘adequate and enjoyable at best’, but by the end of the set I was quickly converted, ‘Point’ especially being a major influence on my change of mindset.
The Creases are noticeably trying very hard, in every, single aspect. But surprisingly, it doesn’t come off as uncool, because the one thing they aren’t trying to do is hide it.
Ironically (and particularly when juxtaposed like so), Bad//Dreems could not be more different. The lads are the epitome of down-to-earth nature and nonchalance, emerging before a crowd of already rowdy fans after a video montage spiked everybody’s anger levels (the good kind) before they started to play.
Within the first few minutes of the opening track, the audience was immediately swept up in fight circles; the band certainly set the precedent for an emotionally intense, atmospherically rattling, high-energy show, and they maintained their vigor effortlessly over the hour.
The clever riff of ‘Johnny Irony’ sparked a massive response from listeners, as frontman Ben Marwe ripped through the song early during the set. 2015 record ‘Dogs At Day’ track ‘Hiding To Nothing’ made a surprisingly early, though welcome arrival; the album was showcased again when ‘Dumb Ideas’ pierced the air, enraged, exasperated and brutally honest in an ode to Bad//Dreems’ iconic theme.
‘1000 Miles Away’ was a more mellow contender in the set list (comparatively), while ‘Sacred Ground’ was a personal highlight, transporting me back to cold beers cracked in warm sheds on Sunday afternoons. Though even without the personal nostalgia attached to the song, I find it hard to believe anybody could listen to the track without visualising Australian stereotypes; it’s our country audibly described in melodies and instrumentation.
Towards the end of the gig I had started to grow restless, though I primarily attribute that negative response to my personal music preference (in this case of which, I prefer the genre in small doses). Peering around the venue during the performance certainly proved otherwise for fans when observing, however; while restless they seemed, it was instead the kind that builds from pure, childlike excitement.
For lack of a better word, it is FUN to be part of a Bad//Dreems audience. The raging mosh pit, crowd surfing and brave souls that scrambled to the stage for a quick sing (soon shoved back down by security; the band hardly blinked an eye as a punter grabbed the microphone and joined in) don’t just add to the experience, the experience in its entirely stems from them.
Before attending, I googled past reviews and saw a series of stories noting the band were ‘reviving classic Australian rock’. Funnily enough, listening prior I disagreed entirely, insisting the boys were far more alternative than many proclaimed. Now? I completely understand how those suggestions arose, and moreover, I agree wholeheartedly.
Bad//Dreems ARE reviving classic Australian rock and I can already see myself educating my future children on iconic Australian bands, blasting Bad//Dreems through their ears as Dad blasted Pink Floyd, AC/DC and Cold Chisel through mine.
