The Corner Hotel was buzzing at the end of the week, whether it was Friday or Saturday night as Cash Savage wasn't quite sure.
It really didn't matter, as many punters filled up the famed bandroom of The Corner Hotel (23 June).The room has seen many incredible shows over the years and the album launch of Cash Savage and The Last Drinks' 'So This Is Love' is another to add to that ever growing list.
In something of a role reversal, cult hero Carlson – usually with Cash as DJ – provided the rocking vibes before and between sets, with some well-selected tracks where local favourites stood up tall alongside classics.
The likes of Peep Tempel and Dr Sure's Unusual Practice didn't seem out of place alongside the likes of The Stooges and Dead Boys. After all, it was a night to celebrate local talent.
This gig marked Cash Savage and The Last Drinks final show concluding their album tour with a sold-out, home-town performance (they recently added a second Melbourne show at the same venue on 21 July that's selling fast).
Fellow locals Gut Health joined them for a number of these tour dates, and the deep admiration both bands have for each other was evident. Gut Health are a band on the rise, and Cash Savage and The Last Drinks are well established within the Naarm/ Melbourne music scene.
Gut Health came out to a dimly lit stage, which remained that way for the majority of their set. An ambience that was intensified initially by a crescendo of clattering instruments until frontperson Athina Uh Oh ripped into their first song.
It was quite an entrance and got the almost full bandroom engaged in their set from the get-go. The buzzsaw guitars and two-pronged drummer setup, made for a sound that was frantic throughout eliciting nervous, jittery feelings for the audience.
To create such an atmosphere, it was clear each musician onstage was masterful and not afraid of experimentation. As a unit they each bought something to the cohesiveness of the set.
The opening notes of lead single 'Inner Norm' brought with it the biggest cheer from those in the audience that were already familiar with the band, and it was obvious by the end of the set that Gut Health had earned themselves some new fans as well.
Athina is a commanding performer, in their vocal delivery which is quite rhythmic in sync with the dance punk of the band's sound; and their dance moves which amplifies the energy of the band.
If The Yeah Yeah Yeahs are looking for a local act to join their upcoming arena show, they should look no further than Gut Health, given the way that Athina channels Karen O vibes.
Cash Savage and The Last Drinks entered the stage to rapturous applause. Before they started the set, band leader Cash Savage provided a heartfelt Acknowledgement of Country which implored the crowd to look out for their Indigenous friends over the coming months as there will be an "onslaught of racism" in the lead up to the referendum.
On a personal level for Cash, parallels could be drawn between the upcoming referendum and the homophobia of the 2017 Marriage Equality plebiscite, something which their 2018 album 'Good Citizens' was centred around.
First up, the band started with a fun and bouncy, synth-laden version of 'Keep Working At Your Job', which got the crowd going. Much of the set featured songs from their most recent album, 'So This Is Love', with a few choice cuts from previous records.
The song 'Good Citizens' was played early on and was the first of many big sing-along moments; as Cash snarled the lyrics, the meaning behind them was evident for the crowd that sang along.
One merry punter explained to me how this band got him through COVID and I think that feeling was felt in different ways for many in the audience. The impact of this band's music that explores mental health in such a relatable way is huge.
During a more tender moment in the set, 'Every Day Is The Same' (which explores the monotony of experiencing poor mental health, with the line: 'it's just a song, it doesn't mean anything') really stuck with me as it evidently meant so much to those gathered.
The way the music translates from recorded to a live setting is incredible; the feelings and emotions in the room were palpable. Perhaps a key driver behind this is the band members friendship that is so clear, as each player shared a little moment of joy with each other throughout the set.
'So This Is Love' album closer, 'Shake From The Heart' was played at the midpoint of the set. Cash shared it was the first song written for the album; it celebrates weathering the storm, something which was captured so well through so many of the songs on the album; and a feeling that is communally felt in the room.
The way each song built into the next, from 'Push' to 'Ratatat' into 'Run With The Dogs', made for an intense and powerful atmosphere throughout the room. This band is able to pull out emotions attached to the human experience and share it with a sense of community, so as to share such a precious moment with mates and strangers.
Rather than shying away from the tougher moments, they wear vulnerability as a badge of honour through the sharing of their songs.
Finishing on non-album track 'Fun In The Sun' and ad libbing about a mistake about which day of the week it was yet again showed the wit of Cash Savage that is clear through the songwriting but also in-between song banter.
There is a considered turn of phrase with which Cash communicates, each word has meaning behind it and is thought out. There was big love in the room between the band and the audience.
Cash Savage and The Last Drinks expressed their love for their home town, by putting on a truly special show for those there to see a band at the height of their powers.
