When playing an album in full before a crowd can be a daunting process for any band, but what if it's one of Australia's most beloved bands and it's their two eponymous albums that helped make them that way?
You Am I fans will probably always tell you their 1993 debut, 'Sound As Ever', is their best record, but there's no denying that 'Hi Fi Way' (1995) and 'Hourly, Daily' (1996) cemented the band into the annals of Australia rock thanks to a string of singles over two years that have lasted the test of time. Plus 'Hi Fi Way' is their best album. . . isn't it?!To reaffirm that perhaps this is the band's opinion too, they launched into 'Hourly, Daily' first (26 April). From a bow on Andy Kent's 'flying V' bass, they sped through the opening half a dozen songs on the 1996 album, which with its big hits – 'Good Mornin'', 'Mr. Milk' and 'Soliders' – prompted more than a little bit of a sing-along, but the crowd was distinctively chill in the opening stages.
"You're a polite lot," pointed out frontman Tim Rogers. "Thank you for being in the venue the same time we decided to," he added. The laconic wit of Rogers is part and parcel of the group and the more he loosened up, so did the crowd.
Image © Matt McLennan
The Fortitude Music Hall was perhaps a far cry from the dingy, dark pubs the Sydney four piece began in, but it was full of fans who have been through more than enough of their gigs to appreciate how far they've come in over 30 years.
They screamed "baby clothes" with abandon and Rogers was clearly getting into it with his cheekiness coming to the fore. "Maybe it does lag a bit in the middle," he blurted in the middle of the first set before kissing his biceps. You have to love a band that is self-aware!
"We suffered for this sh.t and now you have to!" Rogers is in fine form as the gig rolls to the end of 'Hourly, Daily' with the song 'Trike', which appeared on the international version of the record.
Image © Matt McLennan
That's the other problem with playing albums in full from the '90s – remember bonus tracks? 'Forget It Sister' was relegated to a small a cappella, because who's going to wait around for three minutes of silence?
The superiority of 'Hi Fi Way' is evident almost immediately after the break. Bigger, bolder guitars and drums, and what felt like a renewed vigour as the band dived into 'Ain't Gone And Open'.
What happened for the next two tracks was something special. Sunshine Coast resident, Nathan Tessman (aka MC Wheels) came to our attention when he performed with the band during the ABC TV show 'Headliners', which gave people with a disability an opportunity to appear onstage with big artists.
Image © Matt McLennan
Tonight, Nathan added a new dimension to both 'Minor Byrd' and 'She Digs Her', with his newly written rap sections that elevated the tracks to something new, with an old-school rap vibe. It was great to see it live.
This led into what could be the best three-song run you've ever heard live. 'Cathy's Clown', 'Jewels And Bullets' and 'Purple Sneakers' exploded onto the stage and we sang along with vigour, the quality of those songs coming to the fore and reminding us (again) which is the best album.
Image © Matt McLennan
"This is going alright, isn't it?" grinned Rogers, seemingly enjoying the opportunity to not have to make up a set list. That's not to say he didn't throw in a few curveballs.
Snippets of a few classic songs were included closer to the end of the night with The Fauves, Regurgitator and Silverchair all getting a piece of You Am I love, not to mention The Beatles, who besides being an obvious inspiration to the band, featured more than once with cheeky easter eggs throughout the night.
"I'm going to try and sing in tune for the rest of the night," Rogers declared near the end of the second set. This came after introducing the band, the sound and lighting crew and roadies – their respect evident for everyone involved.
Whilst Rogers may not be able to hold the high notes like he used to, there was little doubt the band still have the chops to hold a two-hour show in the palm of their hand. Davey Lane on guitar is a powerful force, whilst Andy Kent on bass and Rusty Hopkinson on drums never waiver throughout the whole set.
James Fleming, on keys and percussion, added an extra flair to the stage proceedings, possibly aiding with the addition of horns, which unfortunately did not include the actual musicians.
Image © Matt McLennan
The encore was a joyous mix of the aforementioned covers, one song from '#4 Record' (no, not 'Heavy Heart' I'm afraid – 'Rumble' instead) and two from their debut, 'Sound As Ever'.
Who can forget the grungiest song they've ever made with 'Coprolalia' and of course, the song that will always go down as their breakthrough hit, 'Berlin Chair' assuming the position of final track on a night full of highlights.
You Am I are living proof that Australian music was, and always has been, raw, rocking and real. The band has continued the tradition of guitar music in this country that started in the '70s and exists to this day, and deserve to be revered as icons of the scene now, into their fourth decade and forever.
More photos from the concert.
