Ezra Tide enticed a bumper crowd to Lucy’s Love Shack to help celebrate the launch of their second single ‘Take Me Home’ with strong support from Foxton Kings, Roobs and The Washing Line Economy & Tied Down. Once again Perth’s musical diversity was on show with the line-up providing a little bit of something for everyone and I got to see two bands I hadn’t caught before.
Kicking the night off was alternative rockers Tied Down and their energetic set was an entertaining mix of indie with a hint of attitude. Lead vocalist CJ Russell worked the building crowd as he led the band through a six-song set beginning with their latest single ‘Main Break’, which was released earlier this month. Backed by Stephen Daw (lead guitar), Kaden Barnett (rhythm guitar), Dean Cross (drums) & Daniel Dols (bass), the five-piece set the foundations of the night with a set which included a couple of tracks from their 2019 EP ‘Dreamstate’ amongst others.
Setlist: Main Break, Sleepless, Take It All, 24, Street Lights, Oceans
Roobs and The Washing Line Economy although also another indie base band but with a different sound yet again as they set to work on delivering six tracks that certainly lifted the crowd. Think dreamy but guitars & cool rhythmic vibes, front man Robin opened with ‘In As Many Minutes’, leading the way with his easy guitar & vocals and even adding some soothing trumpet to their sound during their set. Ethan (guitar), Jarrad (bass) & Miles (drums) make up the rest of this enjoyable & chilled four-piece.
Setlist: In as Many Minutes, Maggie, People Change, Lazy, Strung Out, Kelloggs (Serial Flake)
I have had the pleasure of seeing Foxton Kings on a couple of occasions and will most certainly always be on the lookout for them whenever they are out and about playing. The band is as slick as lead vocalist Joel Steven’s hair and always delivers a set full of energy and tonight was no exception. Professional & tight, Foxton Kings added the grit & growl to tonight’s proceedings and they were perfectly placed on the bill to stir up the now bustling crowd in preparation for the evenings hosts. Steven’s (aka Harry Foxton) is certainly up their as one of Perth’s finest front men as he always delivers a performance full of attitude & vigour and this was evident from the start as they fired things off with ‘Gold’, from their 2019 EP ‘With Love’. This is dirty rock n’ roll as it should be played, with the band smashing their way through a fast & frantic eight-song set which included a rip-roaring cover or Jerry Lee Lewis’s ‘Great Balls of Fire’. Foxton Kings are completed by Chris Mackenzie (guitar), Daniel Rose (bass) & Alex Barker (drums).
Setlist: Gold, Dead n’ Blue, Getting Old, Run Baby, Cats, Great Balls of Fire, 22, Burn
Ezra Tide only recently ventured onto my radar after the recent Perth Rock: Summer Nights event earlier in January where they had left an indelible mark, so much so I wanted to see them again just to check they were as impressive as I have first thought… and yes they certainly are. Tonight they unveiled their second single ‘Take Me Home’, which is a wonderful 70s sounding bluesy rock number. I’ve been to Lucy’s Love Shack for a few band nights now but I have never seen it as busy as tonight, such is the buzz this four-piece have started to create. Grounded & humble, the band are taking everything in their stride and seemed as surprised as everyone else at just how many had turned out to show their support. A cool instrumental intro started their set before Ezra Tide launched into their first single, ‘Bad Thoughts’ which they released earlier last year, following this with ‘Johnny Law’.
Lead vocalist & guitarist Nick Gray looked totally at ease in front of a large crowd as he led the band through their nine-song set which built steadily to the new single, ‘Take Me Home’. Complimented by Jace Daniel (drums) & Finn Pearson (bass) they guys have a cool look and even cooler vibe to them with some exceptional guitar work from Kia Williamson throughout, as the band finished the set with ‘City Lights’. But the baying crowd wouldn’t let them end there as they were encouraged back to play a final number and Hendrix’s ‘Voodoo Child’ was unleashed on a euphoric audience. It’s fantastic to hear a band pulling those wonderful rock sounds of that iconic 70s era but adding their own twist on things. I said it the other week and will reaffirm my statement… Keep an eye out for the fantastic Ezra Tide!
Setlist: Bad Thoughts, Johnny Law, Love Letters, Doctor, Lucy, Fly, Take Me Home, City Lights
Encore: Voodoo Child
