Tame impala at the corner
Junior psych rockers, Tame impala played there first of 3 sold out shows at the corner on Monday night. Tame impala are signed to the Aussie record label modular. A hipster showcase of bands has been signed - cut copy, the presets, ladyhawke, van she, and most relevant to tame impala is wolfmother. Wolfmother shot from obscurity in 2005 with the help of modular. They launched a mega album in 2005 that was initially played on community radio stations. It finished up becoming 51 minutes of empowering anthems for boguns. Still to this day, snippets of chords or Andrew Stockdale screaming are being used to accompany footy highlight packages. I remember big day out in 2006, the hurricane fencing was almost stomped down by country boguns when wolfmother enter the arena. There flannelette was flapping in the wind as they screamed “WOMON….get your WOMAN”. Tame impala just like wolfmother before them were signed and yet to release an album. Just two beautiful ep’s (self-titled one in 2008 and “Sundown Syndrome”/”Remember Me”2009) to date. I had this fear that the angelic voiced lead singer (Kevin Parker) may turn into a whiny Andrew Stockdale. These are my worries even before I went to the show! Does he have an ego? Can they play? Will there be pre-emptive flannelette?
The evening was surprisingly dreamy, the psych jams were the perfect length between chill out and agitation of watching a band do instrumental. Tame impala, didn’t really talk to the audience, until later in the evening when the drummer (Jay Watson) told us we had “the best weather on tour”. The shyness probably had to do with the new found fame. They blend guitars, bass and harmonies to allow effortless head swaying. Tame impala started with “Skelton tiger”, followed by “sunshine syndrome”, and yes the mysterious horn sound really is a kazoo. I saw it! The crowd was laid back and there was definitely no bouncing on Monday night at the corner. The boys that make are the band look quintessential surfie (there from Perth). Although, the band records as a three piece, the four on stage all had wornout t-shirts with matching long locks. Tame impala finished with the radio success, “remember me” a cover of the 90’s one hit wonderer blue boy. They give it their characteristic patchouli glow and slower BPM. It shows off the high notes that Kevin Parker is capable off. I walked away with a little more blissful, both for hearing Australia’s premier psychedelic rock band and knowing that they don’t have egos like wolfmother.
