Teddy Trouble fans showed true solidarity at the launch of their debut LP The Great Indoors at The Phoenix. Sunday August 15 will go down as a night where foul weather, hunger and thirst were conquered by falafel, local music and winter stouts.
Taking full advantage of the seasoned “blind eyes” of the barstaff, many punters began the night enjoying the unwritten “eat-in” policy for takeaway dinners. Bellies full, locals Old Ace served up the aperitif of the evening: reliable, authentic Aussie rock – they’ve got a didgeridoo, so you know they’re real. Old Ace are reminiscent of a heated political conversation with your dad, set to wharfie riffs and beer that you somehow manage to come out of feeling just fine. They are truly deserving of scene veteran status.
Canberra after dinner mint Jonny Telafone followed his strong set with a heartfelt plea to his audience to vote Tony Abbott and screw up the world. Both tongues and teeth were firmly in cheek as Horse MacGyver bled some killer mashed-up sax work into Telafone’s oozing lyrical wax. He’s confirmed his place in the hearts of Canberra music fans and their desire to reclaim him from the Melbournian vice. Oh and he treated us to his svelte torso in song Make Your Pussy Cum, making me wonder whether the title was a statement or a demand (strikes me as more of a lawsuit – Bossman). Conclusion: YouTube it if you’re feeling lonely.
As more people huddled into The Phoenix stage room, Teddy Trouble began a set of wonderment with their track Leave These. They sound like a record your parents might have bought in the golden days of California Girls and longboards i.e. before you ruined their life. TT have made amazing progress since their time as the Spaceboys: their range and style have strengthened with numerous house party gigs and the fullness of age. Next track Amazing Flying Boy was like everything and nothing you’ve heard before. Their songs are familiar, playful yet with sinister undertones that can be quite unnerving. The subject matter floats from insects in jars to fat skeletons in the closet. “You know he’s fat, because of the way the skin hangs from his back,” being some of Chris Tobin’s morbidity. Blended with Kundera’s lightness it makes for fascinating and entertaining listening. Corroboree Park and Ornament Cat were the sweetbread in a sandwich of psychedelic musical delight, akin to eating a meringue and finding a spider in the middle: sugary bliss and cruel surrealism.
Those still wondering whether to buy the album or download the two tracks on dreamdamage.com found TT’s solid title track a definite decider. A well-packaged, well-oiled set did this professional outfit true justice. Set finale Byths is a showcase track for Chris Tobin’s 12-string, Joel Paine’s (of The Fighting League) steely bassline and Mike Bylsztra’s (of Minimum Chips) dynamic beats; jaunty and warm with impressive breakdowns. Appreciation and incessant applause encouraged an encore, and along with Jonny Telafone it became a surprise Golden Buoy reunion. Warning stoked amber yearning for the goodtimes for some, and for others provided motivation to research yet another Canberra-wave band. Satisfaction all ‘round when the TT boys were finally permitted some respite by the crowd. By the time punters began filing out, the limited pressing of 50 copies had sold out.
Recorded and mastered by drummer Mike Bylsztra at The Crossroadz, a favourite local haunt, samples of Teddy Trouble’s debut album The Great Indoors can be found at dreamdamage.com.
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