Eagles Of Death Metal, The Southern River Band @ The Gov, Adelaide 31/7/2023
It might of been a Monday night but that was no excuse to miss Californian rockers Eagles Of Death Metal supported by Western Australian rock outfit The Southern River Band. If you didn’t go you well and truly missed on a great rock ‘n roll show. My ears are still ringing but it was worth it.
Openers don’t get any better than WA’s finest The Southern River Band. Hells bells these guys play one hell of show and won over a whole new legion of fans in the process. I have seen them play a number of times now and this was right up there as one of their best. Somebody sign this band to a label! They represent everything that is awesome about rock ‘n roll. Front man Cal Kramer packs plenty of rock swagger in his skin tight silver pants with SRB blazoned across the back and rig out. Their set was filled with killer tunes including Watch Yourself (You’re Gonna Hurt Somebody), The Streets Don’t Life and Cigarettes (Ain’t Helping Me None). The challenge for any band would be coming on after The Southern River Band.
The Eagles Of Death Metal made quite the entrance revving up the crowd with the theme from The Rocky Horror Picture Show in Time Warp. Front man Jesse Hughes came charging out with a cape and absolutely revelled in the adulation from the crowd. The first part of the set was turbo charged powering their way through Got A Woman, I Only Want You, Don’t Speak (I Only Came To Make A Bang) and Anything ‘Cept The Truth. The band is tight and absolutely rocks with Jennie Vee on bass, drummer Leah Bluestein and guitarist Scott Shiflett.
Jesse asked the crowd if they were having a good time and whether they love rock ‘n roll also saying if they couldn’t hear him he would sing even louder. Boots Electric (Jesse’s alter ego) cover Complexity was awesome with Jesse speaking about how much he loved The Gov and being able to get his eyeballs over everybody. Jesse spoke about how challenging this year has been and how much he needed this tour and this country. The crowd were parochial in their response which seemed to lift the band as they ploughed through Silverlake (K.S.O.F.M.), Heart On and Secret Plans. With Jesse declaring that every night is ladies night Cherry Cola was dedicated to all the ladies at The Gov.
Flames Go Higher and Whorehoppin’ (Shit, Goddamn) from debut album Peace, Love, Death Metal proved popular. David Bowie cover Moonage Daydream was a huge highlight to finish their set. Jesse got up close with the punters rocking at the back of the venue shredding on guitar which saw fans getting out their phones to capture that moment. Returning for a encore that featured I Like to Move in the Night off Death By Sexy and Speaking in Tongues off their debut wrapped up an awesome Monday night. How was yours?
Live Review By Rob Lyon