Eddy Current Suppression Ring

Having taken over the mainland with their infectious no-frills rock, Eddy Current Suppression Ring were taking their first trip to Tasmania. Fans from the Apple Isle have turned out in their droves with many travelling from Launceston and beyond to check out the band's debut at the sold-out Brisbane Hotel.

The audience tonight is a mix of the venue’s passionate clientele and some younger fans who have never been to The Brisbane before. “I think there will be lots of people asking where the toilets and cigarette machines are,” venue manager Gibbo tells me before the show. By 9pm, the front bar is packed – this is going to be a night to remember.

First up is local act Moe Grizzly with their grizzled take on scuffed-up blues. Vocalist Reggie Norris snarls songs about booze and hardship as the result of booze, amid pounding drums and a twin guitar attack. Hobart favourites Native Cats - Julian Teakle and Peter Escott – are next. They flit between post-punk and ’80s pop built around a vintage Casiotone drum machine, Teakle's bass and Escott's occasional melodica. Escott's flat speak-sing delivery and dance spasms have most people hooked, and by the time they get to single 'Catspaw' they prove they’re definitely an act to keep an eye on.

Despite some last-minute costume drama for frontman Marcus, The UV Race take to the stage as curious audience members move closer to check out five punks who definitely don't look like locals. A good barometer of how well a UV Race show is travelling is how many times Marcus runs his hands through his hair during or after a song. As the set progresses and they race through tracks from their debut self-titled album, there is less hand through the hair and more people dancing along to their party vibes.

Later, Marcus tells the audience that just as Tasmania is sometimes considered Australia's little cousin, The UV Race are sometimes thought of as a younger cousin of ECSR. “So let's rock!” The crowd obliges as they blast through catchy punk numbers such as 'I Go Blank' and 'Society Made Me Selfish'. A newer song 'Acid Trip' and a cover of Roky Erickson's 'We Sell Soul' close the set, winning over some new fans in the process.

More record sales, accolades, press and followers means more is expected from an Eddy Current Suppression Ring live show. That's not to say they’re unable to meet those expectations, but tonight it’s great to see them playing on The Brisbane's small stage to a sold-out crowd without barriers and security. The band seem to be loving every minute too. They run through songs from all three of their records including tracks from their latest album Rush to Relax.

Live favourites 'Memory Lane', 'Having a Hard Time', 'Colour Television,' 'Precious Rose' and 'Insufficient Funds' are all met with a rapturous applause and by the time Mikey Young's guitar introduces 'Wrapped Up' the room is singing along.

New single 'Anxiety' and a rare airing of 'Cool Ice Cream' from their first record turn the room into a mass of bouncing sweaty bodies. There’s even the occasional stage dive but nothing aggressive here. Bassist Rob Solid twirls around, Brendan Suppression does his jittery dance moves, Mikey smiles from behind his guitar or keyboard, all while drummer Danny Young keeps a solid beat .

They play 'Which Way to Go' and the room, and what seems like the whole of Hobart, is in the palm of their hands. Arms are held aloft, fingers point at Brendan and voices scream along with him, “Well I looked up north/And I looked down south/And I looked to the east/And the west was best.” Tonight, however, it was all about the south.

by Tim Scott