The Dames
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| The Dames at the Wheatsheaf Hotel |
Wheatsheaf
Hotel
Thebarton.
Sunday
3rd November
Review
by Allison O’Donoghue
Pics
by Allison O’Donoghue and Jo Rowe
I went along to The
Dames with no preconceived ideas. I hadn’t read anything about them nor had
I listened to their debut self-titled album, The Dames, mixed and produced by Barry Adamson
- yes that Barry - the
acclaimed,
award winning icon of post punk (the 90s film and funk)
UK music scene. Barry is an old friend of drummer Clare Moore since her
days in the Moodists and his days with Magazine and the Bad Seeds.
What I did know about the cast of characters on stage
is their long-standing contribution to the Australian music industry with most
members enjoying a long history, which has garnered them high praise and status
amongst the music fraternity.
So, with virgin ears my expectations were high.
So, with virgin ears my expectations were high.
Clare continues to keep good company with her new band, The Dames who consist of music industry
stalwarts such as the lady herself Clare Moore (The Moodists, The Coral Snakes, The Ukeladies, Harry
Howard and MistLY) who sat front and centre behind her drum
kit. Rosie Westbrook (Mick
Harvey) on Bass and backup vocals, with Kaye-Louise
Patterson (Acuff’s Rose) on
keyboards and vocals. And a couple of guys complete the line-up with Dave
Graney on Guitar and Will Hindmarsh on Synthesizer.
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| The Dames |
They
start the set off with Dudley, a song about the late Dudley Moore followed quickly with a
song about vicious nuns, Alphonsus Will
Get You, (I know all about vicious nuns). Interspersed between songs, Clare
gave us anecdotes about British weather and lifestyle expressed eloquently in
the song English Life.
It’s
safe to say The Dames are a quirky
band with out-of- whack, off key vocals and distorted rhythms on songs like Junktime, about the endless junk we accumulate,
piling up around us, inside and out. Their debut single, All Mine is an easy
listening number, where the ecstasy
appears to be all Clare’s – very tongue-in-cheek.
As I
listened to the first set, I sensed something was amiss. They weren’t gelling
together as a group, and appeared to struggle to find their rhythm. Alas, my
feelings abated during the second set as they found cohesion and played a much
better set. Although, I thought the vocals were weak and thin, and I really
wanted them to belt it out, but I don’t think it’s their style. And don’t
expect a drum solo from Ms Moore, but it would be a hoot. I’d like to see that.
If I
had to classify The Dames I’d say
they were melodic rock, with indie overtones and a splash of country thrown in
the mix. So to call them quirky is not a big leap. They are not predictable or too
polished. They are not derivative, and therefore not the same as other bands of
their ilk.
Considering most new music out there in music-land sounds the same, The Dames are a refreshingly different.
Considering most new music out there in music-land sounds the same, The Dames are a refreshingly different.
A
song Auntie Aviator written by the late John Martyn and his wife,
Beverley, a couple
who made a great impression on Clare, who she mentioned a few times. The couple
made their mark on the British music scene and the world stage by penning the
lyrics to the musical South Pacific, “There is nothing like a Dame,
Nothing in the world.” Well, there’s nothing like these Dames. They flashed me back to the 80’s
when bands like these were playing
at every little corner pub and it was a joy to go from one venue to another. Makes
for a very satisfying musical day of saturation.
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| Dave Graney & Rosie Westbrook |
I
like the fact that Dave Graney, a legend
in his own right, took an unassuming back seat to The Dames. I like the fact that the audience was largely made up of
Clare’s family and friends who took their adult kids and mates to introduce them
to quintessentially Australian musicians who have influenced many, many bands
in their musical lifetime(s). And I like spending a lovely lazy Sunday
afternoon at a cool pub like the Wheatsheaf who specialize in boutique beers
and gourmet nibbles, on a beautiful sunny day.
The
band room is like a little womb, so I was surprised when I left the pub coz it
was packed inside and out. I had to dash off before the end of the set, but
from what I heard, I really liked. I like the fact that these guys just keep on
going. I like the fact that they keep on evolving, not necessarily following
trends, but creating new ones. So if you want to know how to achieve longevity
in the music industry, then you wouldn’t go far wrong if you studied The Dames for inspiration.
Their
debut album The Dames nearly sold
out on the day but you can listen via the links below and buy the album or
individual songs on iTunes.
In
short, I like The Dames and so might
you so check out the video for the single ‘All Mine’, directed by Donna
McRae and Michael Vale, and hear and/or buy the whole album right here.
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| The Dames |
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| Jo Rowe |
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| Paul |
2 comments:
Excellent summation of the Dames at the Wheat sheaf Alison.. Must listen to the CD to see if the vocals have more strength when mixed in a studio . I too admire the continued re invention evident from this group of dynamic and clearly passionate musicians.. We are all enriched by their energy and music
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