LIVE REVIEW: Graphic Fiction Heroes - January 8th 2016

Graphic Fiction Heroes knows how to put on a show; it’s just a shame that the Rock crowds of Perth are playing hard to get this year. Of course those that made it out were treated to a great night of local talent from the Nu-Prog of ‘Nevsky Prospekt’ and the big riffs and solos of ‘Midnight Boulevard’ to the Hard Rocking power of Ragdoll. Even before the main act it was money well spent.

Openers ‘Midnight Boulevard’ have a lot of promise – if you love sweet melodies, big riffs, nice meaty solos and modern breakdowns it’s a heady mix by a band well worth checking out.

Nevsky of course we know well, a band with the scope of Dream Theater and the stylings of Muse and the songs to back it up: they are great to catch live any day of the week.

Ragdoll tonight was airing a couple of new tunes from their forthcoming release, and after a powerful and beautifully-honed ‘Tell Me’ and a cutting ‘Astray’ Ryan Rafferty, barefoot and bearded strode the stage as a confident counterpoint to Leon Todd’s jumping jack of energy. There’s a bit of a muddy bottom-end at the Astor Lounge tonight but Ragdoll are great value with the ongoing Todd/Rafferty banter between the great songs, of which tonight the muscular ‘Break You’ is perhaps the standout. The new songs go down great too on only their second airing.

We’re here of course though to see Chris Gibbs’ Graphic Fiction Heroes a band with a Rock heart and a passionate pop ear for melody – and do they have some great songs!

With Chris taking vocals and guitar, it’s not an understatement to say that drummer Matt and bassist Gareth make up one of the finest trios in Perth. After a couple of catchy almost Enuff Z’Nuff-styled openers it’s time for the title track of their latest full length ‘Who Will Save Us Now?’ it’s a fine opening to a lengthy and never boring set that makes you wonder when not if these guys will catch a break nationally if not internationally.

It’s also worth noting that this is the first time the original GFH trio have played since 1992, with Gareth serendipitously in from the UK.

There’s a real cultured feel to the pop infused material, with harmonies to die for, thoughtful lyrics and great radio-friendly grooves woven into songs with huge choruses made to sing along to. Chris himself is pumped up tonight and regales the crowd with tales around the songs like last year’s WAMI ‘Best Country Song’ which paid for the recording of new single ‘Vicious Valentine’ which has a real edge and an almost Ace Frehley-like stuttered refrain which pleases both Rockers and the mellower crowd alike tonight.

Speaking of new material we also catch a listen of ‘The Great Divide’ which proves one of the real highlights of the night – it’s soaring, catchy, it rocks nicely and has a chorus you can stop a truck with.

Another great night of local Perth music that proves that this sleepy town ain’t quite ready to lie down yet.

PHOTO GALLERY
Photos by The Buffman