Skram are an interesting theatrical Pop outfit, or a Rock Opera complete with Mercury Queen bombast.
That comes from lead singer Henry Ashby, who has similar pipes to the late Freddy, and even does his Banana Boat singalong which featured on the Live Aid extravaganza.
It’s on the intro to Supernova/ What’s Up. An acoustic guitar by Terry Liu plays Folk Jazz licks which progress to Eastern tones. Ashby’s voice here comes on like the forgotten Pavlov’s Dogs and the singular style of David Surkamp.
Amazingly, those Seventies American Prog Rockers are still performing live with a devoted bunch of fans. Check out Pampered Menial and At the Sound of the Bell (haha).
The nucleus of the group is Ashby and drummer Felix Nesbitt. The songwriting core of the ensemble which is described as a musical/theatrical family, or Skramily Dinner, their 2022 EP title.
The Family tonight. Liu, Dylan Jennings, Gayle Hammersley, Adele Child, Anna Smith, Ryan Kenton.
A myriad of influences in their sonic palette. Progressive down the post-Pepper line of Jeff Lynne and ELO. The androgynous Glam of T-Rex and Bowie.
Last weekend at the Fork, I thought the lead singer of Doors Live Jim Morrisen (sic) resembled Marc Bolan, but Ashby is much closer.
Opening song Serendripity is interesting Pop. Soulful and funky and grounded in classic ParliaFunkadelicMent.
Second song is the never-ending cabaret of What Is a Man? Is your mama proud/ Strutting your stuff.
I am reminded of the classic Rock Follies TV series of the mid-Seventies. A reboot of the Monkees. This time it was three women, all professional actors who could sing and their manufactured image.
But it involved great musical talent. Andy Mackay (founder member of Roxy Music) wrote most of the music. One of the stars was Julie Covington. Rula Lenska was channelling Anita Pallenberg.
The best one-liner. What I know about Rock music you can engrave on an ant’s balls.
Ashby has a dynamic vocal range, and he can do effective falsetto on Red Wine.
Edge of Desire. My eye shadow makes me see clearly. Witty and humorous and the leader channels infectious energy on a song with a Human League synth sound.
PURRPLE is brand-new and released today, all percussion and Burundi drums like Bow Wow Wow. Producer Greg Haver is taking the photos tonight.
Tears in Slow Motion. Three female backing vocalists combine with lush orchestral keyboards, capped by a folky eastern flute from Hammersley.
Two support acts tonight. Marmalade opened the evening with a bright sunny Pop.
Bright is their debut single and its sits nicely in front of their cover of Fleetwood Mac’s Dreams.
They also replicate the tall-short dynamic of Fleetwood and Nicks pictured on the Rumours album. That’s Koen Aldershof and Jemilah Ross-Hayes. Not intentional, I’m sure.
I did miss them at the Auckland Folk Festival last weekend, as it was impossible to catch all the stellar acts.
Melodic Pop with a lot of jingle-jangle guitars. Chelsea has some Lou Reed observational lyrics in a Loaded style.
Bring all this together with their set closer, Cigarette Habit. One day they will close the circle and do their version of the Sixties British Marmalade who had a massive hit with Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da.
Club Ruby are a perky Power Pop outfit from Wellington, and they continue the good-vibes element of the evening.
Two female vocalists Ruby and Bubbles. They have the energy of original New Wave rather than your hardcore Punk.
I don’t wanna be here/ How do you feel? / Fucking terrible. They open with Dear Diary.
Ruby is flamboyant on stage and resembles Cyndi Lauper in a sartorial sense if not quite the pipes.
The band around them, Jonathan guitar, Hon! five-string bass and JJ Stix drums, fuel the energy and momentum of Power Pop, with added spice like a bit of Grunge, a breakdown here and there.
They preview a Valentine’s Day release, Heartbreak Overtime, all bright and sunny.
Was God Birthed is a high point. Starts with some Eastern guitar twang, shades of Surf. This one really does connect with an old original 1977 Punk tune, Isgodaman, by the Snivelling Shits. British of course.
Trainspotters can try and track down a copy of Streets, where they called themselves arthur comics?
Skram leader Ashby has a theatrical and acting past and has made an appearance on Shortland Street. We will forgive him that trespass.
Cabaret mode and a perfect version of Olivia Newton-Jones Hopelessly Devoted to You.
If We Die addresses personal tragedy and is passionate. A guitar bridge leads into take care of yourself before exploding into I won’t let you die! Dramatic and theatrical finish.
They do finish with Heroes, straight ahead Power Pop and a great vocal performance to finish.
We could live life like we are not zeroes! And Skram channel the good energy.
Rev. Orange Peel
Photography by Greg Haver
Skram
Marmalade
Club Ruby
