Overdriven guitar licks and riffs smeared throughout, topped with tasty hooks and choruses. That’s what we had at elsewhere during the launching of The Vultures’ full-length album 'Escobar'. This is the second and last leg of the Gold Coast-based band’s album tour in Queensland before they add new songs to their next shows.
Harry J Hart
Gold Coast-based guitar prodigy and multi-talented instrumentalist, Harry J Hart, kicked off the gig with ‘No Goodbye’, which featured his signature falsetto choruses and a heavy riff that fits nicely with Rage Against the Machine’s ‘Bulls on Parade’ like a glove. Harry carefully picked up the pace by giving us a glimpse of his guitar prowess in ‘It Calls Out’, before unleashing longer guitar solos in ‘Come Back Down’, and a five-minute rendition of Robert Johnson's ‘Crossroads’.
After that flurry of improv licks, Harry slowed down a bit with his latest original release, ‘Enough is Enough’. This new song is embedded with political, emphatic statements reminiscent of Silverchair’s ‘Pure Massacre’ but with Harry J Hart’s soul and eloquence.
By the end of the set, Harry has demonstrated his wide vocal range and guitar licks he learned from six-string legends and various gig experiences as an all-arounder. Harry finished the set with his version of 'Brother', another new release that offered a grungy guitar-driven, virtuosic arrangement. Interestingly, this rendition is fairly distinct from the Matt Corby version (– so, is this the new Harry J Hart style that he claims as a transition to another era to his sound? We’ll find out soon at his future gigs, I guess).
Leaving Jordan
Leaving Jordan was brimming with energy as they began their set and added more heavy riffs with four distorted guitars. Opening their set with ‘Purple Haze’ and ‘Come Down’, the band immediately raised the energy up a notch dominating the stage and bringing their own definition of Byron Bay indie rock.
Songs like ‘Memphis’, ‘STI’, and ‘Storm’ got the crowd pumped, as the band also used their quirks and banter to make the gig more fun. I loved the energy of ‘Earl’, with its anthemic chorus and solid breakdowns that got the audience dancing and craving for more.
The band closed their set with ‘Apex’, a heavy rock that featured a wall of distorted chugging and drum fills that accompanied bopping heads and sweaty rocking bodies until the end. The band had a good time on stage as they were fuelled by the audience’s energy and enthusiasm (or was it the other way around?). Leaving Jordan wanted to have a good time and to leave the place buzzing by the end of the set, and they did just that.
The Vultures
Headline act, The Vultures, opened their set with a short and sweet track, ‘Hello’, from their new album, 'Escobar'. The band quickly continued by playing the infectious tune ‘Every Night’. With an explosive and charming falsetto chorus that got everyone singing along, I believe this is one of the strongest tracks in the album and the gig. The momentum continued with ‘Two Decades’ featuring a slick coordination of the overdriven bass line and punchy drum pattern (plus an outstanding drum solo from Joe!).
‘Conversations’ was another crowd favourite, which sent everyone to a chorus high. One of the most inspiring and honest tracks in the album, ‘Phase’, served as a preparatory mood before everyone rocked out the rest of the night further with ‘Escobar’, ‘Another Minute’ and ‘If You Only Knew Your Way’.
‘Uncomfortable Unknown’ was a little slower, but no less powerful. At this point, Liam displayed more of his guitar skills while the rest of the band maintained a tight rhythm section throughout. The album’s final track, ‘Do You Wanna Change?’, a personal favourite, is undoubtedly one of the easiest tunes to sing along and groove to, as proven also by the crowd participation.
After the last song, the audience asked for one more song and the band politely obliged with the indie rock track ‘Walkholme City’, a song released by the band in 2015 (Night Rock). Hearing an encore request at a local gig does not usually happen in my experience but it certainly showed that the band could soar high while staying strong on the ground.
The Vultures, like their namesake, devoured the energy of the live audience, proving that the band is a rare bird of prey on the Gold Coast. With the live launching of Escobar out of the way, Liam and Joe are now ready to write and record more songs to be played live in the future.
