Saddling up at the Sticky desk for a new year always comes with the thrill of one or two (or three or four) cracking bands to catch in January, either local artists or international acts on a summer tour.
This past week Sticky's eyes and ears on the ground at Sydney's Enmore Theatre reported back that Los Angeles outfit Starcrawler, who released second album Devour You last October, had left "jaws on the floor" with their no-holds-barred stage show, raucous songs and truckloads of attitude. Fronted by Arrow de Wilde, Starcrawler's much anticipated first Australian tour has been with fellow LA natives the Growlers and the two bands have been blowing audiences away.
Starcraler at Cherry Bar, Melbourne, January 13, 2020Credit:Michael Barry
On Monday night Starcrawler touched down at Melbourne's newly relocated Cherry Bar to play their own headline show (ably supported by Smooch) and those lucky enough to squeeze in for the high-octane action also had to pick their jaws off the ground before descending the stairs and heading back out into the smokey Melbourne night.
Dressed like Gram Parsons and wielding his guitar like Johnny Ramone, 19-year-old Henri Cash brings the strings to this full-throttle punk rock oufit, while drummer Austin Smith and bass player Tim Franco leave no room for down time between tracks. Meanwhile, de Wilde prowls the stage like a stretched out, female version of Iggy Pop, howling and leaping about like there's no tomorrow.
Songs from the new album, produced by Nick Lunay (who's worked with everyone from Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds to New York's Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Arcade Fire) got a solid work out along with a mighty fine version of the Ramones' Pet Sematary. Here's to loads more local and international bands and artists giving crowds around the country just as many thrills in 2020.
album of the week
Fenn Wilson
Ghost Heroin
(Independent)
★★★½
It's been a while between drinks for Fenn Wilson, who's only previous release before this debut album was 2014 EP Tales of the Black Dog, itself coming with not insignificant expectations. Five years on and less than 12 months since the death of his father and acclaimed Australian bluesman Chris Wilson, Fenn has unearthed some true gems here with the help of producer Shannon Bourne and guest musicians. Opening track Lost My Way and Eye On You reveal just what this 24-year-old has deep inside his soul and now we can hear it, in his incredible voice.
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Manic – Halsey
Damn Right, I've Got the Blues – Buddy Guy
Life Was Better – Magic Dirt
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