Jebediah hit Queensland last week, fresh from a gig at New York's Central Park in mid June.
How good would that have been!? Summer in NYC, watching one of Australia's finest bands as they played hits from their 30-year career – and for free! Well, we were also in for a treat on the Gold Coast at Miami Marketta as Jebediah played on Friday night (5 July), supported by their long-time friends Magic Dirt.Jebediah – the Jebs – have written and recorded some fantastic music, with the same members – bar a short hiatus – since forming in 1994. They have had a series of hits and successes on triple j's Hottest 100.
More important though than the well-known hits, is the back catalogue of very high quality and accessible music, from the first releases right through to their latest album. What I've always loved about their music is the key changes, the skipped beats, and the unusually-placed chords, all of which makes the music more interesting.
They have a new album out in 2024 with some great tracks, some harking back to the Jebediah we all love, and some moving in new musical directions. The album, 'OIKS' (apparently the pet name given to the band by You Am I'd Tim Rogers), is a ripper, and the tour is loosely timed around its release.
Magic Dirt kicked off the evening with a strong one-hour set, working through a small part of their extensive catalogue of recorded music. We are told that Jebediah last played with Magic Dirt two decades ago, but obviously the bands have remained close.
Magic Dirt - image © Bill Prendergast
Singer-guitarist Adalita Srsen cuts a strong visual focus as the band comes onto the stage, and the set kicks off with three very heavy, older tracks. There is a wall of feedback, especially at the start and exit of the pieces, and the three guitarists are regularly seen up against the speakers, back to the crowd, seeking to generate further feedback from their equipment.
As the band moves through their set they hit 'Pristine Christine', and bassist Steve Patrick is seen frantically moving round the stage, driving the music with his lovely Rickenbacker bass.
This is followed by 'All My Crushes', which is slower and quieter, yet gives the impression that it could explode at any moment, but it doesn't and the song winds up with Srsen singing "all my crushes are about you," over and over. This was my pick of the set.
The more catchy 'Watch Out Boys' follows, through a couple of other hits including their best-known 'Dirty Jeans' before winding up on 'She-Riff'. Spainish-born guitarist Raul Sanchez – who somehow ends up with the nickname Browny – winds up the set, playing a solo behind his neck through the wah-wah effect pedal, and the set closes with yet more feedback. A great set from the band, to many greatly appreciative fans in the audience.
Magic Dirt - image © Bill Prendergast
After a short break, the Jebs appear onstage. Their set kicks off with 'Motivation', one of the singles from 'OIKS', and I love watching singer-guitarist Kevin Mitchell as he plays the introduction, as it highlights my point regarding unexpected chords throughout their music. The chord run does not play out as would be expected, making the music more interesting.
Three songs in, I'm convinced they are one of the strongest Australian bands in recent decades, both from the perspective of the quality of the music, and also in its performance.
The second song was the fantastic 'Military Strongman' from their debut album 'Slightly Odway'. Guitarist Chris Daymond plays the great guitar riff, and they really did this song full justice. The third song was also incredible, being 'Control' off the 2011 album 'Kosciuszko'. A great song, again performed with high energy.
Mitchell mentions to the audience the recent trip to NYC, their first in 24 years, and noted the offers have been coming in thick and fast ever since. However, he laughed, noting they don't want the money, and the next song will explain it.
Which leads them into their highest-ranking hit (at least in the triple j Hottest 100), 'Animal'. Mitchell winds the song up with a huge leap, and tells the crowd: "Let's all get OIKS'd tonight."
Jebediah - image © Bill Prendergast
They fly through 'Don't Stop', and guitarist Daymond is playing the tambourine when he is no longer required for the declining note pattern played through the song. After a couple more crowd-pleasers, the punters are bought to rapture with 'She's Like A Comet'.
'April Slumber' follows; I think it's probably the strongest piece on 'OIKS', although not one of the single releases, highlighting the quality of the album. On 'IWANNAGETOUT' which follows, the band sounds like another favourite of mine, Supergrass.
At this stage, we have heard a huge amount of very high-quality music, and yet their three best-known songs have not yet featured. So it is time for the first, 'Harpoon'. What a great song; I thought they played it a fraction faster than the studio version, but this version had it all, right down to Mitchell's sneer as he sings "it's the affection I can't stand". It was beautifully done.
'Fall Down' followed, with the bagpipe part played by Daymond on the guitar, and through this riff Mitchell seemed to join in – deliberately – for one small part a couple of tones higher.
Jebediah - image © Bill Prendergast
I thought they also played this song this a touch faster than the studio version again, but no complaints. Bass player Vanessa Thornton, no longer sporting blue hair, was a standout with her left hand moving all over the fretboard, and this song was also hugely popular.
Mitchell then spoke about having regularly played the Gold Coast for 30 years, and that Marketta is the best venue they have played. It was the perfect place to see their music.
Another hit from 'OIKS' is followed by the first single from the album, 'Gum Up The Bearings' – the song begins with a real anthemic feel, led by the strong drum beat. The Living End is the band that comes to my mind when looking for something to compare this song to.
Jebediah - image © Bill Prendergast
The last two songs were exceptional! 'Leaving Home' was my introduction to the band's music many years ago, and it still has the same power now as when it was released in the late 1990s. This was my favourite for the night, and despite all the signs and security, a small moshpit did form, although it was quickly shut down.
So the last song in their 80-minute set had to be 'Jerks Of Attention'. What a song to wind up on. Mitchell was seen playing guitar down in the pit to get closer to the crowd, and it was a classic song to end a fantastic gig.
Jebediah are a band not to be missed live. Their music is extremely high quality, and each of their albums deserves a good listen. One of 2024's highlights for me thus far.
More photos from the concert.
