Review and Photos by Robert Pugsley
FLAP! are a swing jazz, calypso, brassy, five piece who have a reputation for getting the audiences pulses racing , their feet moving and their clothes off (yes, mass nudity at two gigs…so far). With Jess on vocals/tiny banjo, Eamon on vocals/trumpet, Ben on drums, Mark on double bass and Don on trombone, they succeeded with the pulses and the dancing but thankfully there was no nudity.
FLAP! is not the typical band we’ve reviewed, they are an eclectic Jazz band but don’t let that put you off. They can provide a backbeat that will have your head bobbing, your hips moving and your feet shuffling. Hell you may even join in with audience and try some swing dancing!
Back in Sydney after extensive touring and recording a new album, FLAP! played the Camelot and anyone who has been to the Camelot knows it provides a great Jazz atmosphere, with its table and chairs, cool lighting and bric a brac the envy of any antique store. The Camelot also has 2 stages, so the music can go from one band to the other whilst keeping the tempo pumping; a bit like the BBC’s Later with Jools Holland…well only a bit.
The night started with the sousaphone playing support band, The Cope Street Parade, a five piece group best described as playing Gypsy Jazz; Gypsy Jazz? Well it’s a genre said to be the invention Django Rheinhardt, who, according to my research, is surprisingly influential.
The Cope Street Parade revved up the audience with their original tunes. They were a surprise packet and kept the audience pumped up for the – audience turns left to stage 1 – FLAP! gig.
After a hiatus from Sydney for a while, FLAP! was determined to announce their return with some scorching Jazz/Brass/whatever, supporting the launch of their latest single “Rock In Space” (love that wood block beat!!), FLAP! performed some of their previously released work, their celebrated cover of Steve Miller’s “Abracadabra” and a lot of their new stuff, which is to be released as a yet untitled album in March.
FLAP! are often described as a type of good time party band, but let’s go deeper than their other reviews. Listen to their lyrics and you will find their songs are often about death, injury, mortality or heartbreak, but presented in an upbeat, ‘life is too short to worry’ kind of manner. Jazz essentially.
FLAP!’s songs often have some deep Australiana type connection and coupled with Eamon’s ‘Paul Kelly-esc’ twang, FLAP! will make you sit up and smell the eucalyptus. Their song “Billy Hunt”, is a true story about a convict who tried to escape Port Arthur dressed as a Kangaroo, unfortunately for Billy, one of the on-duty guards felt like going ‘roo shooting. “Princess Mary”, describes a case of heartbreak set in Tasmania and “Come to my Funeral” is again another song which whilst you blissfully click your fingers to the snare drum, you can be oblivious to the mortality hidden within these songs, but you will enjoy them anyway.
FLAP! pushed themselves hard and let the audience come with them. FLAP! release their new record in March but be sure to catch them before they tour Europe July/August.
FLAP! @ Camelot Lounge, Marrickville, Sydney – 17 December 2011
Review and Photos by Robert Pugsley
Upcoming Shows:
Flap! in Melbourne @ Pony on Friday, January 6th 2012
Flap! in Melbourne on Friday, March 2nd 2012
Flap! in Port Fairy on Friday, March 9th 2012
Flap! in Melbourne @ The Famous Spiegeltent on Saturday, March 31st 2012
| Flap! by Flap! |