Reviews
Radio Massey Gig In The Esplanade
Arthur Glaston, Chaff, 2 Mar 1998.
Radio Massey hits the spot again with another great gig featuring local bands. First
act Gravey took the stage and played a great set of their skillful pop songs. They
rocked through the set, complete with the day's best foot on the monitor rock pose.
All round professionals.
Next up local leaders of style Wholesale Drainage continued to develop their recent
tendency towards a spacious, gothic sound which is demonstrating their ability to
produce a dynamic rock show. Still hard as nails, these guys, but kind of like soft
bendy nails sometimes. Hairy wildman Markham Drainage busted his guitar and the
band jammed. Groovy. Dion stagedived. They didn't play nearly long enough.
An impressive array of gear and bodies called Fader appeared next and rolled (more
than rocked) their way through another monumental set of their characteristic slowcore.
The sound grew to a physical presence for Fader, and seemed to keep away the threatening
rain. You gotta hear this band, they are a sonic experience and then some. Wise
audience members placed themselves for the best stereo sound then lay down for the
aural swamping.
Meat Market provided an original and experimental edge to the day. First class veterans
of the great Palmy noise experience, the 'Market were in fine form. They carried
off a good outdoor set of dark sounds, as usual producing something exceptional
with minimal percussion, basses, (bowed and thrashed) and vocals.
Rungled added a touch of mystery to the lineup, as a previously unseen home studio
act. They were everything I hoped for. Huge guitar sounds, eclectic, mutant and
freaky. These guys pulled off a great first show in front of a hundred and fifty
odd people. Great lyrics combined with a rock lineup including ancient stereo scratching
and a promising ability to jam fluidly.
Lastly the Bing Turkby Ensemble assembled to produce a characteristically entertaining
set. Accompanied by Stu Foise, Bing followed Rungled with a set that kept the audience
in good humour, despite the tactical mistake of bribing them with sweeties after
the show. Bing was funny, rocked and closed a great day's entertainment with consummate
showmanship. He is the real shit.
Thanks to Radio Massey for the best gig of the Orientation period. Radio Massey
goes off!