ICE play hook-laden Power Pop and in earlier times they may have been called Mods.
Auckland based quartet centred around brothers Adam Roycroft guitar, and Matt Roycroft drums. Brothers in arm, Gabriel Belcher guitar, and Liam Beasley 5-string bass.
Started this Airmobile as It Comes Easy, retooling the turbo after second placing in the New Zealand Battle of the Bands 2024, to become ICE.
Frontman and lead singer Adam is draped like a Mod. In truth also like the young Punks when it hit this country in 1978 and we all dressed in drainpipe jeans and black jackets (safety pins optional).
Second song in and they drop California Dreamin’ from the Mamas and Papas, investing it some Indie post-Punk energy.
Enough to warm the hearts of the few Boomers here, me included. One of the best Pop groups carrying the hangover of hippies and the promise of the Summer of Love ’67.
Just as good is their attack on Oasis’s Morning Glory. Jumps and rages like Neil Young being powered by Crazy Horse before it settles in, to the familiar refrain.
Interesting the Gallagher brothers are also retooling their Airplane/Starship. Liam Gallaghers last concert here was heavily weighted towards the classic Oasis material.
They play their new single, Part of Something. Quite different and a folkie take on Pop with shades of flower power.
Dare I say it, but these guys understand the dynamics of Rock’n’roll in the same fashion as the Rolling Stones did in the mid-Sixties. As Tears Go By, to Satisfaction.
The song was produced by the highly regarded Scott Seabright (Six60, Neil Finn, Mumford and Sons, Troy Kingi).
Also, their song English Road, which I originally misheard as English Rose. A Pop ballad reminiscent of Mods (or Rockers) like the Kinks and therefore linking it to the Jam as well.
Interstate Love Song sings about a sunny afternoon and raises the intensity to rock out.
Kliffs are a five piece from Auckland, and they take the opening slot tonight at Big Fan.
Described as Surf in some quarters. This is the latter-day term which has been attached to many young Aussie bands which is more accurately described as Coastal. Indie Rock or Power Pop with the emphasis on uplifting melodies.
Not quite the classic Dick Dale or the Ventures.
Xavier guitar and voice, Millie voice, Arden bass, Tague rhythm guitar, TJ drums.
Strong and effective rhythm section drives this band. A song like Running is underpinned by heavy, dominant drum’n’bass. Visceral dance and hip shake music.
They get better as they warm up. Mr Newsman. Psychedelic guitar hooks arise from a bed of strummed rhythm guitar.
Britney Spears’ Toxic is where Millie delivers her best vocal of the set. Some Rap, and there is energy and firepower from the singer.
The band manage to work in some Funk with Stoking the Fire.
Back to The Hillside take it to the bridge tonight for the three bands that are featured.
All artists generally play Power Pop this evening. These Aucklanders like to rock out and extend on the vamp which they do to good effect on opening song Overtime. A wailing wall of guitar sonics and grimy grunge energy
Neo Aiono-Fukushima lead guitar and voice is a Jazz school alumnus. He plays with a good number of chops and skills.
With him Mark Tohovaka drums, Mark Watson guitar, and Hamish Brown bass.
Another highlight of their set tonight is I’ll Take You There. A slower tempo to start. A layered atmospheric sound which builds slowly and echoing Stone Roses. Catches the ear. Does that make them Shoegaze?
Ringing Indie Rock chiming guitars elsewhere.
The singer softens his tone for the final song Bloody Face. A ballad which is finished by a powerful crescendo.
ICE, Back to The Hillside and Kliffs. Three band delivering inspirational stuff. We watch their progress with keen interest.
Rev. Orange Peel
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