Review Summary: Something new... something bloody outrageous
The Vasco Era – dirty blues rock
Hail From- small coastal town in Victoria, Australia called Apollo Bay
They are – Sid O’Neil – vocals, lead guitar
Ted O’Neil – bass
Michael Fitzgerald - Drums
Filthy rock/blues has resurfaced in the guise of Oh We Do Like To Be Beside The Seaside. To describe the ‘Era’s sound is difficult. Think the early White Stripes when they were playing Robert Johnson covers and the like ( Screwdriver, Stop Breaking Down?) but replace Jack White’s voice with something similar to Craig Nicholls (The Vines). Got that in your head?
Now to the album which took shape under the guidance of Jeff Saltzman (Hot Fuss, The Killers). It is something like a concept album although don’t think DSOTM or Peppers.It is SOMEWHAT of a concept album. A brave step for a debut album. With whimsy tiles such as When It All Showed Up and When We all Lost It, it retraces some of frontman Sid O’Neil’s most personal issues growing up. The album tells a blunt and anger-ridden story, telling of a broken home and love lost. It starts with “When It all Showed Up”, being the troubles in the young mans life. It flows all the way to “When The Good Times Were Coming”, getting his life on track. The album is not blues/rock the whole way through. “When We Tried To Party To Forget About It” is a lovely little pub ballad with blunt lyrics, a feature throughout the whole album. “Well I cover my hand with flowers, and I was the biggest dick, I don’t know why you had to let him through”. The stories are obvious and most people will relate to them. A highlight and a personal favourite is “Honey Bee (When It Was Making Weird Love Songs)” . A slow burning blues song it really gets out of hand eventually. Sids voice gets to a point where one wonders how he manages to retain it.
I must also point out that these guys sound the same, if not better live.
Sid O’Neil is somewhat of a new age rock renegade; his voice is something that cannot be described in few words. Think Caleb Followill with a severe case of larynigitis and not as bumpkin-esque. Sid also destroys the guitar and will be a premier frontman when these boys hit the world stage. I’ll not forget Ted and “Fitzy” as he is known as. The drum sound has been described as a cave man work; he barely uses the high-hat! Ted is an awesome bassist as well, and lays down some excellent lines.
Overall a brave and entertaining debut from the ‘Era. Don’t be scared to check these guys out! You definetly wont hear anything like them!
