CUSTARD – THE PRINCE – ST KILDA – MELBOURNE – 22.11.2024|
Review and photos by Craig Eriksson
It was an absolute scorcher in Melbourne today reaching 36 degrees and it felt even hotter in The Prince bandroom tonight as we sizzled, danced and sang along to Custard and The Fauves.
We arrived to catch the last two songs of Brisbane 4-piece indie band The Stress of Leisure (SoL). The bandroom was sparse and roasting hot with most punters who got there early opting for the balcony area outside trying to stay. SoL lead singer Ian Powne noticeably stood out with his B-52-like stage antics.
A blast from the past. Melbourne rockers The Fauves were on next and the last time I saw this band was 30 years ago at Big Day Out in 1993. They are from Mt Eliza, Melbourne and formed back in 1988. They played a 10-song set and their music could be described as a bag of cats, combining an eclectic mix of indie, garage punk, pop-rock and rock riffs with some very witty lyrics. The Fauves opened with a controversial political song called UN-AUSTRALIANS, which led into TELL SOMEONE WHO GIVES A FUCK and GUITAR VILLAGE. All 3 songs are from their new album Tropical Strength (2024), which they were promoting tonight. I had a listen to this new album and really like it. Next was LONG LOAD from their Lazy Highways (1998) album. They are an extremely quirky bunch of lads on stage trading friendly self-deprecating banter amongst themselves. They were laidback and seemed to be just ‘knockin around’ on stage as though they were jamming in your backyard at a party. Lead singer Andrew ‘Coxy’ Cox looks and moves around the stage like Mick Jagger. Coxy is a bit of a weird, enigmatic kinda guy dishing out obscure stories and humour. Coxy engaged well with the crowd both musically and with his warped sense of humour. During the show, Coxy said his Mum always told him, “There are 2 things I want you to achieve in life. Passing your HSC and getting your blue belt in karate.” Bass guitarist, Ted asked Coxy, “Where has your HSC got you?” (laughed) and then asked Coxy, ‘How long has it been now trying to get your blue belt?” Coxy replied, “Karate is a dangerous sport and I’m scared of getting hurt.” (laughed). They then led into ‘GOING FOR MY BLUE BELT’ from Thousand Yard Stare (2017). The rest of their set was RIGHT WING FANGS and the melodic sing-along NAORIBI NIGHTS from Footage Missing (2002); DON’T SAY WHEN from Japenese Engines (2017); IF YOU LOVE ME (Tropical Strength (2024); and finished with crowd favourite DOGS ARE THE BEST PEOPLE from Future Spa (1996). An enjoyable set that set the tone for the rest of the night.
The bandroom is now absolutely sweltering and punters are sweating bullets as headliners, Custard come on and much to the delight of fans, belt out a 22-song steaming set over the next hour and a half. Custard were on fire tonight playing their OPEN THE CURTAINS tour 2024 to launch and promote their new album Suburban Curtains (2024). They played 7-songs from the new album which is an absolute ripper. This album has been on high rotation at my place since its release and has 21 wonderful eclectic tracks. Well worth a listen!
Custard are a quirky upbeat, indie, guitar-pop rock band from Brisbane, QLD and formed back in 1989. Their music has been likened to bands like Talking Heads with its distinctive razor-sharp hooks and dag-core lyrics, resulting in fun-loving, feel-good music.
The Band:
Dave McCormack – Lead vocals / guitar / drums / cowbells
Glenn Thompson – Drums / guitar / Backing and lead vocals
Paul Medew – Bass guitar
Matthew Strong – Lead guitar
Custard launched straight into SOMEDAY and NEVER LOVED MELBOURNE ‘til I met you from Suburban Curtains. Lead Singer McCormack is such a quirky guy and can’t keep still. Wearing a thick pair of black-framed glasses and cap, he is as hip and indie-looking as it gets. Dave interacts well with the crowd, jokes throughout the show and constantly fidgets with his microphone stand sliding it up and down creating various angles with the mic which creates various tones in his voice. He punches out a bunch of crowd favourites like HIT SONG, LUCKY STAR; PACK YR SUITCASES; PINBALL LEZ and CABOOLTURE SPEED LAB.
It was a packed bandroom and we were upfront directly in front of lead guitarist Matthew Strong. We noticed how young some of the punters were up at the front barrier too, singing along to all the old Custard classics, word for word. Dave even gave a few of them the opportunity to be part of the band by giving them a cowbell, maracas and vibraslap to play during a few songs. You could see us older rockers soaking up the old classics and enjoying the new songs.
Mid way through the show, Dave and drummer Glenn who were wearing the same matching shirts (hilarious) and black-framed glasses, traded places. Glenn traded the drums for a guitar and mic and sang 3 songs from Suburban Curtains – BLACK RINSE; COAT OF PAINT, MOLECULES COLLIDING and then finished with MUSIC IS CRAP from We Have the Technology (1997).
Glenn then went back to playing drums and providing backing vocals as Dave returned to guitar and mic. Dave invited Charlie Bedford up on stage to play a few songs with the band. Charlie said he saw his first live Custard gig when he was just 10-years old and now he gets to play with them. Custard finished the set strong with crowd faves, GIRLS LIKE THAT (DON’T GO FOR GUYS LIKE US), ANATOMICALLY CORRECT; APARTMENT and RINGO (I FEEL LIKE).
Tonight’s show was so damn hot! Punters were soaked to the bone but grinning from ear to ear. A nostalgic, brilliant, and fun evening enjoyed by everyone in attendance.
CUSTARD SET LIST:
Someday
Never Loved Melbourne
Hit Song
Lucky Star
Pack Yr Suitcases
Heart Attacks
Pinball Lez
Love Tax
Pluto
Caboolture Speed Lab
The New Matthew
Black Rinse
Coat of Paint
Molecules Colliding
Music Is Crap
Girls Like That (Don’t Go For Guys Like Us)
Funky Again
Singlette
Alone
Anatomically Correct
Apartment
Ringo (I Feel Like)
