Review Craig Eriksson. Photos: Craig Eriksson and Winston Robinson.
Australia’s legendary rockers The Angels are currently on tour honouring 50 years of their classic hit Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again and last night it was Melbourne’s turn to party with the band. This sold out show at the Corner Hotel in Richmond celebrated the legacy and longevity of the band along with this iconic 1976 hit song from their self-titled debut album, which remains popular within Australian rock n’ roll folklore due to the famous larrikan chant.
For those of you who are unaware, the ‘chant’ began back in 1983 when The Angels were playing a gig in Mt Isa, Queensland. During the encore, frontman Doc Neeson sang the chorus “Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again?” and 3000 rowdy fans spontaneously sang back in unison “No way, get fucked, fuck off!”. This caught on and spread like wildfire and has now become a ritual at all their gigs and beyond. What is amazing is that the whole nation knows and sings this chant every time they hear this song. You could be at the pub, a party, wedding or in your car and when you hear the song, it’s like we’re automatically programmed to sing the chant.
The Angels formed in Adelaide back in 1974 and founding members, John Brewster (Rhythm guitar) and his brother Rick Brewster (Lead Guitar/backing vocals) are still going strong, keeping the legacy of the band rocking 5 decades on. The Angels have gone through a number of line-up changes over their 52-year history. The original lead singer was iconic frontman ‘Doc’ Neeson from 1976-1999 and 2008-2011. Then Dave Gleeson (The Screaming Jets) replaced Doc in 2011 to 2023. Nick Norton spent 12 years holding down the rhythm on the drum stool before taking over lead vocals from Gleeson in 2023. The band has now become a family affair with two sets of Brewster Brothers in the band with John’s two sons, Tom on drums and Sam (who joined them in 2013) on bass. However during this show, Stuart ‘Stu’ Rudd renowned bassist for The Superjesus covered for Sam Brewster who was unavailable.
Reflecting back to the first time I saw The Angels in 1985 at The Venue in St Kilda, Melbourne, I actually caught Doc’s white linen shirt when he threw it out into the crowd. People around me tried to pull it off me and stretched the shirt, but I managed to hang on to it for dear life. At breakfast the next morning, I told my parents “I’ve got Doc Neeson’s shirt!” and held up the shirt to show them. The sleaves had been stretched to almost twice their length and were touching the floor. With a puzzled look on Mums face, she replied “What’s a Doc Neeson?” Years later I was attending an Angels gig at The Middle Hotel in Ferntree Gully and I was at the bar and met Doc and told him this story, which put a smirk on his face.
It was a nostalgia-fueled setlist at The Corner, featuring banger after banger, leaning heavily on performing a greatest hits set which included all of their timeless classics, alongside a few deep cuts and some new material from their 2024 release, Ninety Nine. The curtains drew open and the The Angels walked out on stage to the “Overture from Australia Felix” composed by Hooper Brewster-Jones, Rick and John’s grandfather, who was a notable music composer and music teacher. The show then kicked off with NO EXIT highlighting its edgy, sharp guitar riffs and driving rhythms, which had the crowd singing and rockin’ along right from the get-go. This feel-good vibe continued with pub-rock anthems such as NO SECRETS and showcased current frontman, Nick Norton’s fresh, theatrical and energetic presence. The high-octane, heavy-hitting (pardon the pun) SHADOW BOXER was an absolute ripper and crowd favourite, which had Norton jumping around the stage impersonating a boxer. During FASHION AND FAME, Norton’s vocals shone and his sharp, character-filled delivery, phrasing and tone were heavily reminiscent of Doc Neeson.
It was evident that Rick and John Brewster remain the heart and soul of The Angels. Their raw, electrifying guitar combination help define the band’s powerful sound. Rick Brewster stood statue-like in the same spot for the entire show. Dressed all in black and wearing his signature dark shades, he creates an air of mystery. His classic posture and style radiates an effortless, menacing cool, letting his fingers do the talking with powerful, ferocious, razor-sharp lead guitar riffs. Paired with John Brewster’s signature, driving rhythm and backing vocals, it all results in their signature sound.
The Angels took us away from the timeless hits and played one of their newer tracks with the hard-hitting, fast-paced, NINETY NINE (GO FOR BROKE) from their 2024 album. Although it’s a relatively ‘new’ song by the current line-up, it blended well into the set and still contains that vintage 70’s sound and energy that The Angels are well-known for. The hits kept rolling out with COMIN’ DOWN from The Angels Face to Face (1978) album, which had the crowd bellowing out the chorus. LET THE NIGHT ROLL ON from Beyond Salvation (1990) kept up the momentum of audience participation.
The Angels rendition of The Animals 1965 classic pop-rock hit WE GOTTA GET OUT OF THIS PLACE was a wonderful moment in the show with everyone singing along, creating a powerful wave of sound in the room. It sounded incredible hearing a packed bandroom singing at the top of their lungs with so much jubilation. Another newbie with MINOR TRUTH (LONG LIVE THE QUEEN) stays true to The Angels signature pub-rock style and sound, driven by heavy, relentless guitar riffs. FACE THE DAY from Dark Room (1980) was a crowd pleaser and at the end of the song the band left the stage with just the Brewster Brothers remaining to perform a guitar solo together. The band rejoined them as they led into one of my personal favourites MR DAMAGE, which created a wild energy within the crowd and had everyone going apeshit.
Having followed The Angels for the majority of their career, I will be honest and say that nobody will ever be able to replace or be as incredible as Doc Neeson. Doc’s theatrical and madcap eccentricities were completely mesmerising to watch. His intense and commanding energy and distinct movements as he prowled the stage with the manic energy of a wild preacher were unmatched. Doc would dramatically spread his fingers over his face or hold a scarf high above his head, which became his trademark. Dave Gleeson added his boisterous pub swagger and trademark larrikin power that injected a fierce, raw and roaring vitality and bluesy-influence during his 12-year tenure. Norton channels his own distinctive energy and does justice to The Angels songs with his mix of desperate whispers and full-throated screams and he doesn’t try to imitate his predecessors.
As expected, AM I EVER GONNA SEE YOUR FACE AGAIN with its call-and-response chorus had the entire crowd singing back in unison the iconic chant. This pub-rock tradition is one of the most famous, endearing, expletive-laden audience chants in Australian rock history, created entirely by the fans! John Brewster played an extended bluesy harmonica solo intro on HUE AND CRY. Then much to the delight of fans, they played more big hits from their iconic Face To Face (1978) album with AFTER THE RAIN, BE WITH YOU, TAKE A LONG LINE and MARSEILLES. These songs are a clear reminder why The Angels are one of Australia’s most formidable live rock acts. They came back out for a 2-song encore with the raw, gritty, pub-rock anthem CAN’T SHAKE IT with its chugging intro and closed out with DOGS ARE TALKING. The Corner bandroom was the perfect setting for this Anniversary show and captured the true essence of the band, highlighting that The Angels still have that raw, exhilarating, live pub-rock energy 50 years on.
Check out Australian Musician’s recent pre-tour interview with John Brewster HERE
SET LIST:
NO EXIT
NO SECRETS
SHADOW BOXER
FASHION AND FAME
NINETY NINE (GO FOR BROKE)
COMIN’ DOWN
LET THE NIGHT ROLL ON
WE GOTTA GET OUT OF THIS PLACE
MINOR TRUTH (LONG LIVE THE QUEEN)
FACE THE DAY
MR DAMAGE
AM I EVER GONNA SEE YOUR FACE AGAIN
AFTER THE RAIN
HUE AND CRY
BE WITH YOU
TAKE A LONG LINE
MARSEILLES
Encore:
CAN’T SHAKE IT
DOGS ARE TALKING