Gig Review: I Am Giant @ The Powerstation, Auckland 1/08/15

The anticipation and expectations were high and thus like me a good crowd rocked up early to experience a night of live rock music that was kicking off with the only X factor “band” finalists in the world Brendon Thomas and the Vibes. Many may have seen and heard of BT and the V from their amazing run on the popular talent exploitation show, and they now could see if they can live up to the hype, I had little doubt they would as I have seen them live twice before and as said many times on the show these guys are real, and they know how to deliver pure blues that rocks, and so it was. Throughout their set the extremely tight unit produced their signature sound of moody rock and blues with flashes of frantic rhythms and bursts of power chords. They really do keep you hooked with their variety, where softer passages at any moment can juxtapose into a funky groove that can run through you and really make you move.

Brendon’s rapport with his incredibly brilliant bass man Michael Anderson and possessed drummer Timothee Nolier was very evident as they kept in superb sync throughout their set, which was an assortment of their excellent originals interspersed with great covers like Wolfmother’s Woman and Jimi Hendrix’ Foxy Lady. Brendon’s gifted guitar playing was an experience everyone appreciated immensely, his passion and love of the “vibe” was infectious to say the least. His guitar work is so good that you may overlook his excellent singing voice which would be a shame as he has an amazing singing voice that is sweet and a perfect fit to their sound. The infallible bass work from Michael was impressive, he goes about his work with a confident ease and assertive flair of a man twice his age and experience. Timothee was drumming like a man possessed providing an energetic and expressive beat that was a treat in itself, how he managed his impressive backing vocal harmonies to the mix was remarkable too!

Half way through the set Brendan introduced Matt Bizzle to the stage to play his Tenor Saxophone, who impressively managed to keep in sync with one of the most dynamic bands around. I have played sax for over 30 years and I can tell you this young boy can play, he produced a great woodwind/brass sound that added a wonderful extra dimension to the already ballsy sound. Mr High Vibe a BT and The V original was a high point, complete with an awesome sax solo that ended in a duel between Matt and Brendan, and the winner was the audience of course! The crowd danced and cheered and were graciously warmed up. I predicted that “a big future beckoned for these guys” back in October 2014 and that has happened very quickly and deservedly so.

Next on stage came Dead Letter Circus (AUS) who amped up the groove with their hot grinding sound delivered with two formidable guitarists Clint Vincent and Luke Palmer providing a tight crunching grind with the amazingly energetic bassman Stewart Hill who together with drummer Luke Williams feverishly worked together like an engine to provide a super solid foundation for the smoother croons of melodic front man Kim Benzie. Their fast machine like bursts of rhythm and sound was a treat for the senses and got everyone moving in sweaty unison. Special mention to the drummer Luke, who also managed to add his great vocals to the mix while working all four limbs on the drums.

The crowd enjoyed their set and were won over by the bands energy and sound, it was loud and tight and sat perfectly on the edge of metal and rock, just enough of each to keep most pundits happy I’d say. Kim’s vocal strains were sometimes smooth and tuneful and other times tearing and gritty. Kim spoke fondly of his time in NZ and how awesome our “Rock” scene is, which was good to get the crowd on side! But it was the rock music that the crowd wanted and got it they did, with the highlight being the magnificent While You Wait and the super tight The Mile. Hopefully they return soon, I am sure they won themselves new fans that like me will be keeping an eye out for what feels like an inevitable return to NZ.

I Am Giant brought the crowd front and centre, with a mob that was eager to be absorbed in their sound and so it was, with the fine figure of front man Ryan Redmond who strutted around the stage singing and spitting like a dog marking his territory. The guitar and bass work was assured and powerful, with Stuart Steel and Paul Matthews providing an awesome sound full of power and precision, and of course Shelton Woolright supplied his rock solid and relentless drumming, and even though he was shirtless and sweaty he never looked fazed or unable to stand from his striking red drum kit and smile while euphorically thrashing his cymbals.

Popular songs were peeled off with much crowd participation both in voice and body movement, whether it be rubbing bodies in the pit or the bopping heads on the crowded balconies. Neon Sunrise, Transmissionand their new hit Kiss From a Ghostall sounded great and reminded everyone of their vast repertoire of hit songs.City Limits was a crowd favourite and everyone joined in on the chorus and really got into the moment.

You could almost say it was a show of two halves where Ryan at first was sounding and looking fine in his red lumberjack shirt, looking the part as always with his signature mix of energetic movement or his super still look of steel. Later the shirt was removed and he got around in his singlet, and after some drinks with the support bands the last act was performed shirtless, where his “moves” were reduced to mostly pose’s and stares, as he encouraged us to sing up a storm which we did. After 3 gigs on the trot you could forgive the guys if they showed some fatigue and so it was that Ryan admitted to being sick and asked for our forgiveness, he admitted to getting drunk too “as are you I hope” The party atmosphere was infectious and we could tell they were joyed and relived it was near the end after giving their all to the tour. It was nearing midnight and we were all mightily happy with a big night of pure rock entertainment and so we were more than willing to help with the last song as Ryan appealed “help us with this last song and I will give you all Head!” and thus Purple Heart was an all-out release of energy with everyone joining in the festive experience wholeheartedly, which we would have done head job or not!