The Mess Hall play The Zoo

Posted by Clare Kempnich in Reviews | 3 comments

Words: Clare Kempnich
Pictures: Kate Scantleton

Q: How many people does it take to make amazing music?

A: Just two. Jed Kurzel and Cec Condon, to be exact.

 

It’s quite unbelievable to think that such a complete, dynamic sound can be created from just two instruments, but Sydney-based band The Mess Hall have no trouble demonstrating that less is certainly more. They were in Brisbane recently on their Australian East Coats tour, with Bridezilla and The Cairos. Gracing the stage armed only with guitar and drums, they made up in sheer volume what they lack in quantity.

The duo often been compared to The White Stripes, but the similarities end at the blatantly obvious. The Mess Hall are, in my eyes, a very definitive Australian rock band. Their sound is very raw, but at the same time has an amazing depth. They clearly take inspiration from the blues/rock genre – their sound is very purposeful, absolutely nothing is superfluous or unintentional. It’s a great insight into the band’s philosophy – some bands are out there to be ‘breakthrough’, and give us stuff that we’ve never seen or heard before, but the Mess Hall seem to deviate from this notion. Watching them play, you can tell they exist solely to play the music that they love; it’s a classic Australian ‘no shit’ kind of attitude. If I had to compare them to any other band, I’d have say Bob Dylan meets The Drones.

The set was, to summarise, brilliant. So much energy (from both the band and the crowd); and their songs translate brilliantly on stage. It was the kind of performance that makes you want to go home, put the album on repeat, sit there for several hours and just relive the experience. Notable songs were Tijuana 500 – a song about a heavy night of drinking as they travelled across the Mexican border and Disco, Pt. 1 – which contains one of the most catchy drum beats I think I have ever heard. My favourite song, however, was Keep Walking; was the first single from album ‘Devil’s Elbow’. They played their live, extended version, which adds about 3 minutes onto the original.

 

If you are yet to see The Mess Hall live, you are missing out. If you’re into honest, Australian rock then this amazing band is a must-see.