Lets All go to the Hop

The Dead Moon, Slavetrader and The Dellburgoes

Jan 4th, 2003.

Review by myshkin

It was that kind of night - maybe it was the "no dorks" sign on the door, but last night's gig in the Barrytown Hall is destined to be one my classic nights out of all time. Maybe I would have had as good a time had I stayed in Takaka and seen Fat Freddy's Drop & Salmonella Dub, but ever since I heard that the Black Seeds had done a gig at Barrytown I'd vowed I would have anight out there.

First up was The Dellburgoes... these guys sound like avatars of rock and roll at its heydey, as if somehow they had been put on ice 40 years ago mid-gig and were thawed out specially for the night. I want to hear more from these guys - luckily they're doing a 7 inch soon.

Slavetrader kicked off with a cover of "Rock and Roll is my Only Salvation" and played an eclectic mix - some straight ahead rock and roll, some more swampy sounds and several longer, more vocal songs - the one about 4th in had an exquisite bass line and low key drumming that had me in thrall.

Main event - Dead Moon, a band I'd never heard of, I don't know where I have been to miss out on these guys. They just played and played - quite a bit of snarl rock. Bastards - they wore me out, by making me dance hardout, not helped by being at Black Seeds in Takaka just the night before. Dead Moon - they're heading north now, to play Indigo, Harvesters in Palmy, no doubt the KA in AK-town. Asked why they played such small gigs, their drummer had said that they sought the lack of pressure that comes from such gigs - these guys seem to thrive on the vibe of a small appreciative audience at near to eye level.

BTW - anyone passing through Greymouth, check out Wai Fm on 98.3 - this station rocks, literally.

Review by myshkin