The Grates + Bit By Bats at Jade Monkey

Date: Friday, April 15th 2005
Venue: Jade Monkey
Time: 8pm door opens, 9pm gig start
Price: $10
Bands: The Grates + Bit By Bats w/ La Femme La Fever

Firstly, apologies to local Adelaide support, La Femme La Fever whose set I completely missed as I turned up just in time for Bit By Bats.

Two brilliant local bands (who are causing such a fuss in the local music crowd) were playing together in a string of national dates and Adelaide was the first show. Brisbane's The Grates (previously plugged) and formerly Adelaide but now based (moved) in Melbourne, Bit By Bats, were the two headlined acts and Jade Monkey was the place to catch them on Friday night.



Bit By Bats started the headlined show off and got the crowd going. Playing tracks from their old EPs and their latest release, Let's Go Romeo, most people were dancing and just loving the band that got a head start in this town. The Owen's Robert Smith-esque vocals, Ben's strong drumming and Peter's tight bass just made the set seem so short even though they played for almost an hour. I was blown away by the band's stage presence and the ability to keep the crowd dancing for the whole set.


The band is just such good dance rock, its not surprise to their recent signing to major label Mushroom Music. And I am in love with their theramin (google it, non-muso kids).


The Grates performed last and who would have thought a 3-piece outfit with just a guitarist, drummer and a singer could make such awesome chaotic sounds. Of course, they played all 4 tracks from their debut EP, The Ouch. The Touch., which were the catchy Trampoline (was last used for a Just Jeans ad), the beautiful ballad Sukkafish, Wash Me, and of course the hit single, Message. Also played a new track and some live favourites like 19 20 20.



Patience's voice was the perfect combination of hoarse, raspy, sweet and beautiful all the same time. John's guitar riffs were catchy as always and Alana's drumming was just so tight (but maybe a bit too quiet/soft?). I loved their whole set and especially loved Patience's crazy dance moves on stage. The girl can definitely move. Most of their songs are short punk-esque numbers (averaging 2+ minutes) but they still played a good hour of tracks. The band were definitely excited to start their tour off with Bit By Bats (a band they admit are a fan of) and definitely showed all great things to come with this first show in Adelaide.


UnbelievelyCatchy. Dance-esque. Crazy. Both bands did all that night.