Old Mervs – Tuning Fork, 29 August 2024: Review

31st August 2024

Old Mervs kicked off their How the Fark Are Ya tour with a swell show at Aotearoa’s Tuning Fork on Thursday night.

The West Australian based alternative, independent Rock duo Old Mervs bring together David House on vocals plus guitar, and Henry Carrington-Jones on drums.

The pair have known each other since they were five years old, growing up on farmland near Kojonup, where they went on to practice music in an old stable. They began performing in 2017, where they have played internationally and were recently nominated for a 2024 Rolling Stone award Best New Artist.

Thursday evening was weather heavy, filled with thunder and lightning but that didn’t stop people from coming to see the Old Mervs and opening bands Frank on Tap and Fool Nelson play.

Rainfall dodged on the way inside the venue to be welcomed by the warm and vibrant Tuning Fork atmosphere. There’s nothing quite like hearing good live music on a stormy eve.

Warming up the stage was the four piece band Frank on Tap. Based in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, the group originally formed in Te Whanganui-a-Tara and quickly grew a local fan base. They have been releasing music since 2022 as well as completing several mini tours around Aotearoa.

Frank on Tap have an excitingly fresh energy to them. The first time I saw them live was earlier this year at The Leigh Sawmill opening for No Cigar.

The music played this night is passionate and artful, hazed with a deep red stage light that I’ll likely forever associate with the music.

Red was indeed one of the colours cast across the stage on Thursday evening yet changed at different times during the show. I find The Tuning Fork has relatively dim lighting which creates an intimate atmosphere for the audience to be moved by and to the music.

Frank On Tap had people moving and dancing to every rhythm. From the beginning of the night right until the end energy was high across the venue and even during the artist changeover someone in the crowd would be dancing.

Intermission music was excellent, and I noted at one point Simulation Swarm by Big Thief was played.

Next up was Fool Nelson, a three-piece Indie Rock band based in Boorloo, Perth Australia.

Having played music together since they were kids, the band is comprised of two brothers and their best mate. Tom Broadbent, Ned Broadbent and D’Arcy Steven.

Fool Nelson brought an impressive and infectious energy to the space, playing a fresh yet nostalgic sound that bounced off walls and people jumping in the crowd. I could absolutely sense their 90s and early 2000s Rock influence with their stylistic flair and melodies.

Alright and Fading were two of my favourites to hear, songs that I have in my own rotation that are played alongside bands such as the DMA’s, The Rions and Spacey Jane.

Further into the night it was time for the main act to take to the stage. As lights dimmed, none other than the instrumental to Hells Bells by AC/DC played while Old Mervs picked up their instruments.

How the fark are ya? Thank you for coming down, lovely people. It’s the first night of the tour and we’re so excited. Says the vocalist before heading straight into song.

Vibrant energy, bold vocals, guitar riffs, drumming and movement flowed throughout their set. Between songs the duo were chatty and welcoming to everyone who came out to see them play.

A dazzling version of Stuck in the Middle with You by Stealers Wheel was covered and many sung along to the lyrics.

One moment during the evening, the crowd began chanting a song request of Old Mervs’ Stick it Out which the band said they don’t have on the set list anymore. But we’ll give it a go just for ya, doing a great performance at that.

As the night came to a close, the wild weather outside didn’t feel so cold. Warmth filled the air upon leaving and my playlist has a found a new few songs in it.

I look forward to hearing what’s next for all three bands Frank on Tap, Fool Nelson and Old Mervs and hope to see them play live again.

Isabella Rose Young