The Vasco Era
Corner Hotel
April 10, 2010
The Vasco Era’s sophomore album Lucille might sound a little more refined than their debut, but fans can rest assured that the trio from Apollo Bay is still playing the same explosive shows that punters know and love.
At the album launch at the Corner Hotel, opening bands Big Scary and Simon Carter (formerly of The Cops) played solid sets, but as the red curtains closed around the stage and the eager audience edged closer, it was clear who the crowd had gathered for.
After waiting what felt like an eternity for the Vascos to emerge, Sid and Ted O’Neil (vocals and bass, respectively) and Michael Fitzgerald (aka Fitzy; drums) exploded onto stage with a cover of the Beatles’ ‘Why Don’t We Do It In The Road’.
The band had plenty of home town support. Towards the beginning of the set, Sid thanked “half of Apollo Bay for turning up here tonight and making it look like we’re popular.” But a sold out crowd, who sang and danced the night away, suggested that the band’s fan base stretches well beyond the surf coast.
The set was a mix of old and new songs, with a few covers thrown in for good measure. But it was obvious that the band was eager to show off Lucille. Although the power and raw noise of the Vasco Era’s debut, Oh We Do Like To Be Beside the Seaside (2006), is still evident, Lucille feels more structured, and shows the band has grown lyrically.
The concept album tells the story of the relationship between Lucille, a stripper, and Sam, her somewhat more conservative boyfriend – influenced by a real couple Sid met one night at Crown Casino. Performing a concept album live, as a collection of standalone songs, can be risky, and I had my reservations prior to Saturday night’s performance. But my fears were unfounded — live, Lucille blew me away.
‘They’ve Already Won’, ‘Not Stuck Here’ and the title track were standouts. Sid’s vocals were as impressive as ever — he still knows how to scream — but the addition of keyboards (played throughout the tour by one half of Big Scary) and backing vocals (performed by Ted and, during one song, Fitzy, from behind the drums) were excellent additions to the Vasco’s live show that I have not seen before.
Highlights from OWDLTBBTS, which has always sounded best live, included ‘When You Went’ and ‘When It First Showed Up’ (intertwined live with ‘Happiness Is A Warm Gun’ – another Beatles cover). The singalong power of the crowd showed how many long-term fans were present.
I left the Corner with a feeling of pure joy. The old songs were as noisy and in-your-face as ever; the new songs were a pleasant surprise; and the covers they chose to perform – also including ‘I Know It’s Over’ by The Smiths – demonstrated their versatility.
For me, one of the highlights of the night was the song ‘Oh Sam’ – full of emotion, angst and Bruce Springsteen references, this song is made for radio, and one of my favourite Vasco Era songs ever. The best thing, though, was that the band seemed to so enjoy what they were doing. They threw themselves around the stage – Fitzy’s drum kit had to be put back together towards the end of the set – and, constantly smiling, it was clear that they were truly in their element.
As the band walked off stage to ‘Honey Bee’, leaving the crowd wanting more, I could only hope that The Vasco Era would return to Melbourne soon. Definitely a band not to be missed.
