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There is a certain amount of style booking out a bar in one of Adelaide’s busiest beaches and opening the doors with free admission to launch your debut album. This was what Cherry Grind has done to launch ‘Room With A View’, and it seems to be a plan worth following in Australia. Long, warm evenings, and the enticement of cold beer, coupled with traditional rock being blasted out onto the beach promenade. I feel a bit stupid telling the band they need a better social media strategy as this is clearly how to launch a CD and sell some merch.
Cherry Grind came back to their roots to play ‘Room With A View’ in full and also perform the songs that influenced them to take up music in the first place. Toddling over to the bar to get the camera setup and get some performance fluid I hear the band announce, ‘we are going to play until they tell us to stop’. This is what I like, a rock ‘n’ roll attitude from the outset. Still the bar owner didn’t seem to mind as a good crowd was forming and a hot night with frosty beer was the go.
First four songs of the night were originals from the album then we snuck into some Lizzy twin guitars. It was almost indiscernible in terms of tone, style and groove to pick between these songs with the only giveaway being the fact that it was a Lizzy classic. Through the night we bounced through the album and I can assume that good CD sales and beer encouraged the people around me to know the lyrics as well as the band. The ‘familiar but unique’ feel of the album carries on to the live set where you have to ask if its new or old as it all blends so well.
After a short break the band were into it again and so were the audience. After the blackness of the gig the night before and all the fun of the camera pit, it was good to be back in a bar watching a new outfit learn their craft in front of an appreciative audience. Even had a few dancers who had wandered in off the beach late in the evening. Always see new things at gigs! The second part of the set was as enjoyable as the first and ‘A Minor Problem’ remains one of the favourites from the album and of the night. It’s delivered with a confidence and intensity that belies a debut album. Other gems for the night were ‘Dusty Road’ and ‘The Fool’ and the sound throughout the night was pitch perfect and the band played out a long night, clearly enjoying the crowds appreciation.
Perhaps the next phase for the band is to get out and support other touring bands in the area and learn stage craft from others that are already out there selling their wares. The bands that Cherry Grind idolise all have a charisma that comes from a confidence and presence that’s hard to match. Rather than try and be someone else, it’s better to watch other bands to learn and borrow technique. As the stages get bigger so does the stage craft. But performing is not a problem for Cherry Grind as they have been together so long they are tighter than a Hollywood facelift.
I get out and about often but I do not see enough of bands at the start of their journey. It was good for me to get back and watch these guys do what they love and get an obvious buzz from the audience that turned up to watch them play. Even better, to record an album and watch people buy them and the shirts. Having the front row in your merch, singing your songs is all new. It’s good to be here to see this and it’s good to be entertained through genuine talent. These boys need to get out more often and watch their peers. They also have to find people to listen to and steer them in the right direction. But, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. It’s a great album, great launch.
The setlist for Cherry Grind at the Jetty, Adelaide – 12 December 2015
No One Home
Dusty Road
The Gap
Reason Says
Boys are Back in Town
Sunlight
Tush
Shes Movin’
The Fool
A Minor Problem
Tombstone
Since I’ve been loving you
Turn and Burn
Come Together
Sea to Sea
See you Again
All Right Now
Review: Craig Grant
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