On Friday night I went to another gig, dragged my camera along, did the usual. I met up with Dylan beforehand and we walked around Oxford Street. I love that place now. You see a lot of guys in drag and people dressed in tight revealing clothing, a place where everyone is fabulous and beautiful. I love it. :P It’s what Oxford Street is known for! Very lively at night, but as Dylan said, more lively on Friday and Saturday nights. We walked down Oxford Street before the gig because we were pretty early.

For lunch I had eaten two Asian lamb burgers, so I wasn’t hungry that evening. The burgers were delicious, though. /drool They make the bread themselves. I guess it isn’t like your ordinary Western burger at all. It’s more like a burrito or fajita – it’s like an Asian version of a burrito, and very tasty. It’s not something I’d have every week though, as it is rather full of fat. Not something I’d want to eat too often, even though it’s not as bad as deep fried McDonald’s, heh, heh.

I had listened to some of Fire! Santa Rosa, Fire!’s music before going to the gig. Usually I like to have some idea of the bands playing before I go. Even if I don’t, I still make an effort to enjoy the show, and I absolutely love hearing new bands. Live music is honestly the best. The best out of what? I don’t know. But whether I’m photographing at a gig, sitting and watching from a seat up the back, having someone carry me in a huge mass of people, or having a lovely dinner over acoustic music, or just leaning on the barrier ignoring the people around me and just listening to the music, I get this amazing sensation like magic. Sometimes – and James has probably witnessed this – I just disappear in a different world while I listen, while I watch. A lot of the time I honestly can’t believe I’m there.

First band was The Khanz, and they were honestly a load of fun. I always feel weird when the first band starts playing and I’m walking around with my camera. You have no idea how annoyed I get when I get that “I just walk in for the headliners” vibe from people, so it sort of annoyed me later on when these other photographers came in after the Khanz. Perhaps I’m easily irritated or was annoyed that one of them wouldn’t move out of the way when I was trying to take photos. I think it was more annoying that he was standing in front of me flicking through his photos instead of 1) moving around taking more, or 2) watching the music, bro.

The Khanz had a really great sound. I hadn’t heard any of their music prior to the show. Kat, the female who did backing vocals and synth, was really good. I think she really added this wonderful flavour to the set. The Khanz have a new single coming out, which Themba (rhythm guitar/lead vocals) mentioned to me on Twitter, so I’m looking forward to that while I blast out all their tunes so far. :) It’s so much fun finding an artist’s music after you’ve seen them live. I think that a lot more bands should play live – what’s good is getting to see how they are in person, sometimes getting the chance to say hi, the next day leaving a message on Twitter or their Facebook page… seems to be a ritual for me, but I really do enjoy the music I see live. :)

Up next was Packwood, named after the middle name of frontman Bayden. They were gorgeous, albeit out of place. I know not everyone likes acoustic or even some mini-orchestral type band, but I thought they were amazing. That’s coming from me as a musician, though. Packwood were amazing. They should have been with other acoustic artists, though – with Bayden on banjo, and having viola, violin, flute and cello. I almost wanted to cry for them not getting as much attention as they deserved. People were drinking and talking, shame on them. :P

After the first song, Bayden said, “You, come here,” to me. I let go of my camera hanging around my neck and walked closer to the stage. He handed me his phone and it took me a moment to register that he was tuning his banjo.

“What’s your name?”
“Georgie.”
“Jordi?”
“Georgie.”
“Georgie.” He then spoke, into the microphone, “Everyone this is Georgie.”

I got a round of applause while he told us stories, and where he was from – Bathurst – further out west of Sydney, and spoke to someone in the audience was also from Bathurst, all this as he tuned his banjo for the next song.

When I headed back to Dylan, drinking whisky, he said, “You’re famous!!!! For holding a phone.”

You know, I actually quite like whisky. I had my first beer that night too, don’t remember which, but it sucked. Hahaha. I did have a Carlton Dry, though, and that was pretty tolerable. It didn’t taste as bad. Dylan said people don’t drink for the taste – well, fair enough – but that gives me all the more reason to care.

Anyway, I wish Packwood were on for longer; they’re really my kind of band.

Fire! Santa Rosa, Fire! – I have so much trouble writing their band name, something tells me they’ll turn into a Panic(!) at the Disco soon. :( I did like them live, they were loud and awesome, but I couldn’t hear the lead singer all that well. It’s a shame because she has an absolutely gorgeous voice. There were mixing problems all night though, I guess I made the most of it. They were enjoyable to watch. The drummer was fantastic and they were exceptionally entertaining. I just wish they had sounded better vocally.

Really amazing set. A terrific group, but dragged down by a crappy sound check.

Founds were on a different scale. A seven-piece on stage, but I believe one of them was a touring member only. Can’t be sure which one. I always feel bad when I don’t know the names of members. A bit like some of them are secretive about who they are as individuals and want to be known as a group. But then again – as I’ve always learned, being a fan isn’t about knowing the name of every single band member and their birthday – not at all. It’s about appreciating the music and them as a band.

I did like Founds, but I feel like their music is better on the record. Dylan said it seemed like “two goth chicks with a bunch of indie guys”. Certainly, he thought it was weird. Yes, I did find it unusual that they had a myriad of instruments and even a violinist for rather loud music, but I think they were interesting to watch. The two singers, both female, were amazing. I admired their beautiful voices and the fact that they could play (keyboard) while they sang.

I suppose I could put a bit of blame to the mixing; at times you could barely hear some of the instruments. I feel their music is more to my taste on recording, where it’s much softer and gentle. Perhaps they have been sneaking in some heavier pieces on their upcoming work? I really adore their music recorded, so I guess being live, it could have been more accurate.

Overall, a splendid show, I’ve heard better, but I loved it!