Friday 12th August, 2011 – Review by Keaton McSweeney

A clear, chilly night greeted punters as they converged on The Bakery last Friday for STILLWATER GIANTS’ debut EP launch, though those in the know were confidant that the atmosphere inside the band room would be anything but by the time the boys hit the stage.

AZTECH SUNS got things started, kicking off seemingly moments after the doors opened. Led by a strong vocalist and featuring an enthusiastic slap-bass player sporting an impressive mullet, these guys put on a pretty energetic show for a band playing to an empty room. And they finished off with what, if if it wasn’t the worst band member introduction jam I’d ever seen, was probably the best. A for effort.

A small, buzzing crowd had appeared around The Bakery’s inside bar by the time TRACKSUIT took to the stage. Professional, charming and catchy as hell, it was amazing seeing the vibe in the room lift once these guys started doing their thing, with a modest dance-floor starting almost immediately. Effortlessly cool guitarist/vocalist Steve Hensby got his Townsend-meets-Madonna Vogue moves on without delay, throwing some mean shapes during early highlight ‘She’s Damaged’. Not surprisingly, the crowd seemed to increase in size with every positive jam these guys kicked out, and by the time they finished up their impressive and entertaining set with the rocking ‘April Fool’ they were bidding farewell to a band room near-on full.

Said room was well and truly packed by the time STILLWATER GIANTS hit the stage, and it swiftly became clear that the band were planning to make the most of it. Uniform in plain white tees, the guys got the by-now fairly loose crowd jamming immediately, their rootsy indie rock punctuated by some fine three-part harmonies and a deluge of fluffy stuffed animals and beach towels thrown from the stage. Ofcourse it wasn’t long before the party started getting a little out of control, with the large female contingent of the crowd demanding the removal of the band’s shirts. They obliged (naturally), and lead vocalist/guitarist Henry Clarke was soon pelted by not one, but two pieces of ladies underwear. Rock ‘n’ roll, baby. Understandably stoked with life, the guys finished off the set with crowd favourite ‘Give Into Me’, leaving the impression that Stillwater Giants may soon be challenging The Joe Kings for the title of Perth’s best good-time rock’n’roll band.

Proving to be the perfect outfit to cap off an already stellar night of local music, SUGARPUSS breezed through a well-rehearsed set of throbbing psychadelia, sending the survivors of the SWG’s set into a deep groove. Lead vocalist/guitarist Jake Webb’s voice was in fine form, and the band had no qualms taking the inebriated crowd on a fuzzy, sunburnt journey into the early hours, exploring middle eastern influences, ambient synth jams and some good ol’ psychadelic rock. Signing off with the driving ‘Out of Nowhere’, it wasn’t long before the band’s echoing guitars faded, with Webb encouraging the crowd to “head off to Clubba for a good time”. Nice one.

All things considered, this was an excellent night of unpretentious local rock’n’roll at The Bakery, combining a great crowd, some great bands, and a free beach towel to boot. Can’t argue with that.