Flaxxies are young Indie Rock locals who raise the heat as they blast through their headline set at Auckland’s newest music venue.
They supported Australian Power Pop group Rions earlier this year at the Tuning Fork, and they stood out as a blend of Clash style off-beat accented white Reggae, mixed with a bit of Surf and Garage Rock in general.
It’s close to capacity tonight for this third show in a week from opening night, for Double Whammy.
Start with Who’s Been Callin’. Short crunching riffs give way to a heavier Indie Rock sound. They come with a bit more firepower than that previous show.
Lead singer Benji Humphries wears a signature cap, prowls about on stage like an Angus Young. Eric Goodger and Nick Tate guitars, Chris Manning bass and trumpet, Neo Lee drums.
Next few continue in that fashion, with Time to Go and Brainteaser.
Heart of Fire and they preview a new song, this time bringing in the lurching sprung rhythms.
Lot 61is one of their best with the Clash style of Reggae intertwined with Power Pop.
Then there is shift in dynamics.
Erica starts with a soulful almost jazz guitar intro and heads off into the sunshine of Indie Pop.
A slower ballad with Cyclone. That’s how it starts but it finishes in a rage.
King of the Reef is a highlight. The title suggests Surf and Dick Dale, but it’s the closest they get to Punk chants for the night.
Dream Days is similar but pared back. What sounds like a Bo Diddley rhythm to start. The drums are tribal, and the attitude is Punk.
Frank on Tap are described as alternative Rock, but sound like Power Pop with softer elements, as they play the support slot tonight.
Originally from various locations around the lower North Island, they are based in Auckland, and looking to record their debut album.
Max Hackshaw and Zarek Naylor guitars, Sean McCann bass, and Coady Pfieler drums.
They start with a thrash to warm up, then ringing guitars carry the next song after a building bass introduction. Sounds like the New Wave on the back of the original Punk explosion. The likes of Elvis Costello when he was doing edgy and cynical, with great hooks.
Chiming guitars and melodic lines in Shoegaze fashion follow.
They produce some fey falsetto vocals at times reminiscent of Coldplay.
The sound mix is a bit muted. It could also be the large crowd, and the noise of squawking young females was distracting, even near the front of stage. They were out in force at the Double Whammy, which was welcome.
The last few songs had the drums rising to lead the charge, and the guitars carried it over.
Back to the Hillside are also a newly minted, Auckland based Alternative Rock band.
I spoke to Hamish Brown bass guitar. They are pursuing a Shoegaze style, and basically having a blast in doing so. The rest, Neo Fukushima lead vocals and guitar, Brandon guitar and Mark drums.
The sound mix was a bit muddy and lacked definition, but that improved over the course of the set.
There was enough in their material to stoke interest.
Opening song, I’m Alone reminded me of the early Cure.
Slow twanging guitars in similar Twin Peaks theme music opens out when the cymbals crash.
They do a racing cover of The Drum’s Money.
It all comes right when they do a very worthy version of Jimi Hendrix’s Voodoo Chile. The sound mix is right.
Flaxxies are revving up with a fair amount of good old-fashioned Garage Rock before they close the set and the evening with Snapped Up by The Boss.
Rock Steady to Reggae in great Two-Tone fashion especially with the trumpet added.
The guys play support to Th’ Dudes tomorrow night at the Powerstation.
Rev. Orange Peel
Photography by Jennifer De Koning
Flaxxies
Frank on Tap
Back to the Hillside