LIVE REVIEW: THE GROGANS @ PIER BANDROOM
PHOTO CREDIT: JARDINE DYLAN
It is not many bands that I am willing to drive an hour out to Frankston to see them. The Grogan’s is in fact one of those bands. I knew it was going to be a crazy ride because
1) it’s The Grogans,
2) it’s in Frankston.
And I was right. I was running late so I found a park near Pier Bandroom and sprinted to the venue just in time to see Kitschen Boy. I recently discovered them, and they are exactly my type of music. Jangly Indie-Rock- reminds me of a more laid-back version of The Strokes. Dylan, the lead singer, has those raw and gritty vocals that is addictive to listen to. They are a hidden gem of the Australian indie scene –definitely have a look out for them.
They came out wearing the most casual of outfits but then whipped out all this energy on stage where they screamed “WHOS READY TO FUCK SHIT UP”. Listening to Dylan’s effortless vocal delivery combined with the groovy guitar melodies gave me that familiar feeling where you know you have discovered a really good band, and you just stand there watching them in awe.
My personal favourites ‘Charlie Don’t party’ and ‘Perfect Excuse’ made me dance like an idiot.
I couldn’t have been giddier to see who was up next - Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers! They are my favourite angry girl music of the indie rock persuasion. They are the kind of music that Kat Stradford would listen to. Now I didn’t know Frankston could go this hard – the atmosphere was so high energy.
The headbanging, the moshing, the screaming – it was to a whole new level. Particularly in AHHHHH – my head literally still hurts from the headbanging. I loved when they added their punk flare to their covers of ‘Happier Than Ever’ and ‘Hot To Go’.
My highlight though was when they bought out Quin, the lead singer of The Grogans- to sing their song ‘Salt’. It made me a bit emotional – both bands have a really good bond with each other and clearly are really good mates and its beautiful to see on stage.
I went to get a Redbull and have a sit down because that set took so much energy out of me. But as The Grogans are notorious for their crazy moshes I had to rush to get a good spot. Quin came out with his classic beanie (I don’t think I’ve ever seen him not wear it) and graced all of our ears with ‘No Thanks- I’m going Surfing’.
One interesting thing about The Grogan’s is that their sound is so versatile –their music goes from surf rock/punk in ‘Got A Girl’ to an almost soulful r and b vibe in ‘Black’. The guitar skills and Quinn’s amazing voice range make them one of the best bands to come out of the emerging Aussie music scene.
The band themselves are so down to earth and authentic – after almost every song Quin would talk about how grateful he was for the crowd. Though, what stands out the most to me is their ability to connect to the audience. Every time I see them- not one person in the crowd is on their phone or not dancing- everyone is completely mesmerised by them.
I walked to my car after on such a high.
I love live music; I love The Grogan’s. I love Frankston.
Listen to their new song ‘Salt’ with Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers.