polaroids of androids

The Vines @ Manning Bar, Sydney Uni - 16/07/2008

This show (which in case you didn't notice all the advertising WAS SPONSORED BY TRIPLE J) was the un-official/official 'welcome to Melodia' for die hard fans, fans of Die Hard, contest winners, some 'industry' folk and people like me who are currently sleeping in a broom closet at Sydney University while they wait for the heat to die down on the streets.

Seeing as this was at a Uni bar it came as no surprise that kids were getting their drink on like it was 2001. Speaking of 2001, this was never going to be The Vines circa 2001. Craig Nicholas isn't the same Triple M photographer punching, bong packing, unhinged juvenile delinquent from Oatley that we once was. He isn't unpredictable, wild or exciting.

Sure, he drinks Coke instead of water or beer, smokes cigarettes inside (even though government laws prohibit him from doing so) and concludes every performance with a mild trashing of the equipment - but it's impossible to ignore that he his holding back. He thrashes a little bit about during his performance, threatening at several occasions to let the 'inner crazy kid' out and explode into a fury of insanity, grab the microphone and launch himself into the unsuspecting crowd head first. But then he remembers that this isn't something he is allowed to do and stops. He turns out he really isn't that wild of a rocker these days.

But that's not to say he isn't an entertaining performer. I am just pointing out that (in the wise word's of Tito's round boobed sister) - you never know what you've got 'til it's gone. Considering that their new album has been so highly pumped as the group's el grande comeback, I was hoping also for a little bit of a return of the band's tornado of fury live show. Or - at the very least - a heavy gust of wackiness.

It's now apparent that in 2008 (with a somewhat restrained attitude all over his performance) how much of Nicholas' 'rocking' was/is fueled by his antics and not necessarily his musical performance. Sure, he is a talented musician, but The Vines are so much more of an entertaining outfit when he is at his unpredictable wild self. I want a feeling that we might not all make it out alive or (at the very least) some smart arse in the front row you keeps chanting for Mary Jane leaves the show with a solid impression of Craig's Chuck Taylors on his face.

But the let down of the band not meeting my high yesteryear expectations wasn't the only thing that killed the overall enjoyment of this show.

Firstly, it was being filmed for JTV and the distinct MADE FOR TV feeling was a little annoying. There was a shit introduction from two of Triple J's 'stars' at the start and due to some technical issues (camera lens cap left on) there was an awkward break in the middle of the show where the band were forced to stand on stage and just beatbox and show off their polka skills for about five or ten minutes.

Secondly, it was impossible to ignore that The Vines failed to read the crowd and guide the performance accordingly. I don't know if they had to submit a set list to Lord Kingsmill before the show and were forced to stick to it, but there was definitely a few dull moments where the attention of the crowd seemed to wander. These were the perfect occasions where the band could have inserted an 'old classic' and really brought the mood right back up. Also, there were far too many ballads included their hour long set. The six minute snoozefest, True As The Night, from the new album, was especially painful.

The set comprised of pretty much a 50/50 split between songs from their new record and stuff from their previous releases. Ride, Outtathaway and new one Braindead were the standout moments for me. These tracks, as well as the encore performance of their breakthrough hit and somewhat classic, Get Free, were the few occasions where the band found the perfect blend between sloppy punk delivery and upbeat catchiness.

I am not giving up on The Vines. I think Nicholas has the ability to once again find that balance between playing the role as eccentric, interesting frontman and producing instantly appealing, pop songs. This performance, however, was just a display of their music, which in absence of the unpredictable element of their live performance that the band once carried as an extra member, just isn't enough.