Hands Like Houses, Forever Ends Here, Faraway Stables @ Crowbar, Brisbane (19/09/2014)
Nestled in between two strip clubs, Brisbane’s infamous Crowbar doesn’t seem like too much at first glance. Metal band posters line the walls as you descend down the steep steps into the dimly lit room and little ventilation is ever so present as you dwell deeper into the venue. Other than the bar that was just as popular as the bands playing that night, the open space features a very sad excuse of a stage situated in the corner adjacent to the exit. But despite all this, the venue has hosted some legendary local and international acts, making it one of Brisbane’s most iconic live music hubs.
Ditching the fine weather, Brisbane music lovers crowded into the underground den for the night to witness Canberra’s finest, Hands Like Houses, return to the river city for the third time this year on the ‘Tour of Outer Suburbia’ tour. With a line up of bands ranging from pop punk to alternative rock, it was a show not to be missed. By the time Far Away Stables hit the stage to kick the night off; people were already on their second drink and were ready to rock. Performing to a crowd who doesn’t know who you are can’t be easy, but they pulled it off quite well and captured the crowd’s attention from the first song. Playing their second EP ‘Atlantis’ in its entirety and a new song that will feature on their debut album, the band showcased their unique sound that blended post-hardcore and rock into one perfect mix. It was perhaps this sound that was very much similar to the headline act’s that gathered the crowd to the front throughout their set and no doubt gained the band a few more fans. This is one band you will definitely want to keep an eye on. |
Next up were a band that fits the pop punk bill without a doubt. Hailing from Sydney, Forever Ends Here has had enormous success in the last year making them one of Australia’s most well known unsigned acts. Having toured with Neck Deep, Short Stack and Tonight Alive, the band is no stranger to the stage and even came close to selling out their own headlining show in January.
Their energetic set featured songs off their second EP From Where I’d Rather Be, as well as cover of Beautiful Soul that vocalist Luke McChesney hoped would remind people of the fun times that came along with childhood. For the most part, I could not tell if it was the speaker I was standing near or the screaming girls at the front that was causing my ears to ring, but despite this the band performed without a single flaw and even had the males of the room nodding along to their upbeat pop punk melodies.
With a quick stage set up, the dimming of the lights and uproar of cheers, Hands Like Houses finally took to the stage to deliver what fans had been eagerly waiting all night for. The band has toured relentlessly overseas in the past two years, but it is clear that they have a strong following of fans who support them in Australia.
Their set mostly consisted of songs of their sophomore album Unimagine, but a few stand outs from Ground Dweller such as Lion Skin made an appearance along with a cover of Torn that was featured on volume two of Punk Goes 90s that had everyone, even the bartenders, singing along.
Never has there been a more humble band than Hands Like Houses, with leader singing Trenton Woodley continuously thanking the crowd for their support whenever he had the chance and keyboardist Jamal Sabet had a smile that never faltered as the crowd sang their lyrics back to them.
Having seen the band the previous night in Coffs Harbour, I knew most of the set, but was not disappointed and at all surprised by the crowd’s reception. Stand out songs of the night were No Parallels and Introduced Species that had even the members of the support acts singing along to.
But all good things must come to an end, and following the crowds chants of "one more song!" the band crammed onto the small stage for their encore that featured A Fire On Hill, a song that had not been previously played live until this tour.
It is clear from the sweat and flushed faces of the crowd that no one was left disappointed from the night and the only people who truly missed out were those who have not had the pleasure of experiencing this great live act.
Hands Like Houses is one band I will never get tired of seeing live and I’m sure there are many who agree with me.
Ashleigh Minnell
Their energetic set featured songs off their second EP From Where I’d Rather Be, as well as cover of Beautiful Soul that vocalist Luke McChesney hoped would remind people of the fun times that came along with childhood. For the most part, I could not tell if it was the speaker I was standing near or the screaming girls at the front that was causing my ears to ring, but despite this the band performed without a single flaw and even had the males of the room nodding along to their upbeat pop punk melodies.
With a quick stage set up, the dimming of the lights and uproar of cheers, Hands Like Houses finally took to the stage to deliver what fans had been eagerly waiting all night for. The band has toured relentlessly overseas in the past two years, but it is clear that they have a strong following of fans who support them in Australia.
Their set mostly consisted of songs of their sophomore album Unimagine, but a few stand outs from Ground Dweller such as Lion Skin made an appearance along with a cover of Torn that was featured on volume two of Punk Goes 90s that had everyone, even the bartenders, singing along.
Never has there been a more humble band than Hands Like Houses, with leader singing Trenton Woodley continuously thanking the crowd for their support whenever he had the chance and keyboardist Jamal Sabet had a smile that never faltered as the crowd sang their lyrics back to them.
Having seen the band the previous night in Coffs Harbour, I knew most of the set, but was not disappointed and at all surprised by the crowd’s reception. Stand out songs of the night were No Parallels and Introduced Species that had even the members of the support acts singing along to.
But all good things must come to an end, and following the crowds chants of "one more song!" the band crammed onto the small stage for their encore that featured A Fire On Hill, a song that had not been previously played live until this tour.
It is clear from the sweat and flushed faces of the crowd that no one was left disappointed from the night and the only people who truly missed out were those who have not had the pleasure of experiencing this great live act.
Hands Like Houses is one band I will never get tired of seeing live and I’m sure there are many who agree with me.
Ashleigh Minnell