Once Bitten, Twice Shy
April 20th 2007 01:36
Bit by Bats
Spectrum, Sydney
April 14
Hype. It's an interesting word. The Oxford English Dictionary defines Hype as 1. To create interest in by flamboyant or dramatic methods; promote or publicize showily, to intensify by ingenious or questionable claims, exaggerated publicity; hoopla, a swindle, deception, or trick. Bit by Bats are a band surrounded by much hype, and it was that hype that encouraged me to go and see them in their headlining show at Spectrum on April 14. Plugging their new album; Go, Go, Go! and supported by Fancy Boys, Violent Soho and The Mares, I have to admit I was quite excited to see what this three-piece from Melbourne had to offer. But perhaps my expectations were too high.
The sound is very now but sadly, it is nothing new. In a nutshell, these guys just don't bite my bat. The guys tore through their set with all the indie-chic attitude required to get a crowd riled up (and the place was packed), but I couldn't help but feel like I was at an alternative/ garage/ classic rock revival, circa 94.
Talking Heads appear to be an influence, as does Jack White in his many forms. Robert Smith of The Cure is usually an inspiration for most new wave/ pop bands and his influence can definitely be felt here. But then herein lies the problem. This band borrows from so many other bands that I think they are still finding their feet. The choruses have spunk and there are some catchy hooks thrown in, but somehow it felt like the smattering remains of times long past. In fact, all four of the bands seemed to be pushing for a sound that wasn't entirely theirs. I heard the same song over and over again, fueled by the same influences, which if nothing else, is a recipe for a very dull and unoriginal dish.
Don't get me wrong, these guys can play their instruments, there is no doubt about that, and if you want to have a bit of a dance to a rockin' beat, then Bit by Bats most certainly deliver. But they left me wanting more. It was a little too derivative, a little too safe, a little too self-conscious; much like their debut album. Go, Go, Go? No, No, No. False start.
Spectrum, Sydney
April 14
Hype. It's an interesting word. The Oxford English Dictionary defines Hype as 1. To create interest in by flamboyant or dramatic methods; promote or publicize showily, to intensify by ingenious or questionable claims, exaggerated publicity; hoopla, a swindle, deception, or trick. Bit by Bats are a band surrounded by much hype, and it was that hype that encouraged me to go and see them in their headlining show at Spectrum on April 14. Plugging their new album; Go, Go, Go! and supported by Fancy Boys, Violent Soho and The Mares, I have to admit I was quite excited to see what this three-piece from Melbourne had to offer. But perhaps my expectations were too high.
The sound is very now but sadly, it is nothing new. In a nutshell, these guys just don't bite my bat. The guys tore through their set with all the indie-chic attitude required to get a crowd riled up (and the place was packed), but I couldn't help but feel like I was at an alternative/ garage/ classic rock revival, circa 94.
Talking Heads appear to be an influence, as does Jack White in his many forms. Robert Smith of The Cure is usually an inspiration for most new wave/ pop bands and his influence can definitely be felt here. But then herein lies the problem. This band borrows from so many other bands that I think they are still finding their feet. The choruses have spunk and there are some catchy hooks thrown in, but somehow it felt like the smattering remains of times long past. In fact, all four of the bands seemed to be pushing for a sound that wasn't entirely theirs. I heard the same song over and over again, fueled by the same influences, which if nothing else, is a recipe for a very dull and unoriginal dish.
Don't get me wrong, these guys can play their instruments, there is no doubt about that, and if you want to have a bit of a dance to a rockin' beat, then Bit by Bats most certainly deliver. But they left me wanting more. It was a little too derivative, a little too safe, a little too self-conscious; much like their debut album. Go, Go, Go? No, No, No. False start.
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