Polaroids Of Androids

Eddy Current Suppression Ring @ Excelsior Hotel, Surry Hills
05/12/2008

Photo by Alica.

When I heard from a friend of a friend that Eddy Current Suppression Ring were playing a "secret" gig at the Excelsior in Surry Hills, a rush of mixed emotions filled my being. First and foremost was an overwhelming sense of excitement. But there was also an underlying fear. You see, I have been hurt before.

Twice now I have had my heart set on seeing Eddy Current live, and twice my heart has broken. The previous time left me standing in the rain outside the Hopetoun Hotel, cursing the "Sold Out, soz!" sign and vehemently vowing that someday, somehow, I would get my chance at Eddy Current glory.

Determined not to be defeated again, we arrived at the venue with several hours to spare. Sell out, will you? Not this time, buddy. At precisely 8.01pm we joined the queue. Several minutes later we had stamps on our wrists, grins on our faces and a distinct feeling of “in your face” to all of the people we knew wouldn't get in.

We started quite far up the back but negotiated our way closer, as far as politeness would allow. Once the music started there was no further need for politeness. We threw ourselves at the stage and somehow managed to land on the front step. Here we stayed for the rest of the gig, balancing precariously on this ledge, sandwiched between the fallback amp and a sea of people in a state of Eddy Current euphoria. A dangerous place to be, but also an awesome one.

They opened with Cool Ice Cream and the crowd went absolutely mental, jumping up and down and demanding their dessert like spoiled children. Chocolate, vanilla, whatever - I deserveee my, desserttttt I, deserveeeee my DESSERT! Insufficient Funds went off just as loud, a song that many that night in the Excelsior could relate to (especially me, it's HOW MUCH on the door?) Other highlights included Precious Rose, Memory Lane, and possibly the greatest thing anyone ever experienced in their lives – Which Way to Go (I was thrashed so violently onto the fallback amp during this song that I actually almost died. At least I would have died happy).

Not wasting precious breath talking between songs, Eddy Current whizzed through what felt like a heartbreakingly short set, but one full of power and glory. When they started playing their final song, signature track Get Up Morning, there was magic in the air. An electricity that pulsed around the room granting wishes and curing people of their complaints. Women took off their underwear and threw it at the stage. Grown men in the front row wept. A deaf, blind, quadriplegic man was suddenly healed of all ailments. "Bless you Eddy Current!" he sniffed, but nobody heard him because they were all too busy bringing the fucking ruckus. Also I touched a guitar. WIN.

The band were finally able to say their goodbyes and trailed off the stage pouring with sweat. We stood around, a little bit stunned, and took a damage report. Alicia's dress was broken and we were missing a few friends, swept away by the tide of violently happy moshers (we never saw them again). Our clothes were sopping wet, beer, sweat or other- it was a mystery- but we definitely needed to find a convenience store and buy deodorant.

Words by Bella

December 23, 2008 @ 19:01 · Gig Reviews · Eddy Current Suppression Ring   5 comments