Eddy Current Suppression Ring
Amplifier Bar, Perth

The funny thing is that I don’t remember reading any vivid accounts of the Eddy Current Suppression Ring live show. I can’t recall any specific review or article testifying to their intense and generally excellent performance. Still, prior to their gig on Friday night, I’d come to think of them as being incredible live. I guess I picked it up by bi-coastal psychological osmosis or something, because turns out that’s what they are. There was a particular point during their stalking, rambling set, where the magic of their deal revealed itself and it turned out not to be vocalist Brendan’s glare and mundane yet moving poetry, but a steadily rising riff that occurred mid-song and, with gentle force, milked adrenaline from our glands.

This was their best strength and true nature revealed: that of a band at its straightest and truest, unadorned music and words that in concert are completely effective and leg-destroying. With wide eyes a full room looked at Brendan while he moved across the stage, his polo shirt unbuttoned and hanging solidly from his chest with a sweaty triangle exposed, and a friend turned to me and said, “He’s genuinely mad. He’s not putting it on.” It’s true. They are the most sincere musicians I’ve seen in a palpable while.

by Matt Giles