Floating Me, Over Reactor, Ennis Tola and Anna Salen @ East Brunswick Club, Melbourne – October 28, 2011 | Live Review

by Billy Geary

It’s fair to say that, in their short life span, five-piece progressive rock act Floating Me have had a considerable amount of success. Sold out national tours and even an ARIA award nomination have seen the group go from strength to strength, eventually finding themselves at a sold out East Brunswick Club on what is the second last date of their national tour.

Opening up the night were instrumental rock trio Anna Salen, who are quickly becoming known throughout Melbourne for their energetic live shows and original music. Their set at the East was no different, tearing through their half hour set of imaginative and almost danceable heavy rock. Drummer Shaun Scott was a force behind the kit, whilst bassist Paul Risso and guitarist Dave Morgan throwing themselves around the stage with bucket loads of energy. An outstanding opening set from a band quickly rising through the ranks of Melbourne’s rock scene.

Up next was another great example of the diversity of the Melbourne heavy/prog scene in Ennis Tola. Over the past few months, the eclectic quintet have been rising very quickly in stature, fast becoming one of the must sees in Melbourne music. Playing what can only be described as a very unique style of progressive rock, the band combine an array of instruments and fuse them with far from typical rock music to create a sound that is all too hard to describe. The one complaint with Ennis Tola is that, at times, lack the stage presence to fully engage punters. However, when the music is that good, stage presence seldom matters.

To say Melbourne duo Over-Reactor are a polarising couple of musos would be a vast, vast understatement. What started out as a somewhat awkward band with their first few shows has morphed into what can only be described as an absolute force. It appears vocalist Ezekiel Ox has finally found his niche, being the centre of attention given that it is only he and drummer Corey Blight on stage (guitars and bass are run through a laptop). Playing cuts from both of their albums, Ox jumped on and off the stage as he pleased; alternating between snarling in punter’s faces and spray painting various slogans on a canvas, which was later auctioned off for $50. Tracks such as the continually excellent ‘Free Music’ and ‘Point to Push’ went down well with most of the crowd and causing mayhem in the front few rows. In the climax of their final song, Ox decided it would be a good idea to throw one of the tv’s that had been on stage throughout the set into the front few rows, resulting in broken glass everywhere. This only reaffirmed the band’s high energy, high on attitude aesthetic, however it’s fair to say the East wont be having them back any time soon. A crushing and polarising set from one of the most interesting and forward thinking bands heavy bands in Melbourne.

Finally, as the clock pushed towards 11:30, Floating Me stepped out to a rapturous response from the sold out East Brunswick Club. With minimal fuss, the super group launched right in to ‘Xoto,’ with the more industrial ‘Narke’ following in quick succession. Unfortunately the first four or five songs were let down by some really poor sound, however as the quintet launched into a cover of Jefferson Airplane’s ‘White Rabbit,’ the problem seemed to magically disappear. Now, not to go over the top or anything, but is there anything this band can’t do? Their cover of ‘White Rabbit’ sounded positively enormous. Vocalist Andrew Gillespie suddenly exploded, his baritone reverberating around the East during the climax was something to behold. From then on, the second half of their set was red hot. Album favourite and current single ‘Breaking To Breath’ lifted the energy up even further, whilst ‘Bezhumous’ and a ten minute, face melting drum solo from Lucius Borich affirmed the band’s status as one of the best bands in Australia. Period. Closing their set out with the ever catchy ‘Sugar’ and the epic ‘Across the Gulf,’ Floating Me ended their set with the minimal fuss they started with, having reminded the sold out crowd just how good they are.

The quality of music coming out of the pubs and clubs in Melbourne currently is astounding, with Floating Me and three of the best local bands in action only confirming this. With such high quality shows happening on a weekly basis, you’re missing out if you don’t come along.