Live Reviews : Orsome Welles, Glass Ocean, Arakeye & TUX @ The Workers Club, Melbourne 11/09/2015

Launching their new single “Swim” at The Workers Club, Fitzroy, last night were Melbourne’s Orsome Welles. The much anticipated track, which is set to appear on the band’s forthcoming sophomore album (expected for release next year), was to be played live for the first time tonight. With doors opening at 8, it was great to see that by doors open, there was already a significant crowd assembled. People of all variety had come to this show; some young, some old; others in lapel jackets, many in t-shirts.

Hit 8.10 pm, the first opener for the night took the stage. TUX were excellent. Labelling themselves as experimental alt-rock, that is probably the most apt description I could apply to these guys. Being a four-piece, TUX held claim to one of the best rhythm sections I’ve heard in a while. As vocalist Rae emerged on stage, a petite Asian woman dressed in tapered, denim thigh-cut overalls, and with bicycle knee pads over knee socks, she stood there stoically for a time, accompanied by the soft wave of the music and a thin purple mist from the overhead lights that enveloped them. It wasn’t long until their music – which at times had an almost ’60s vibe to it – kicked itself into high gear. As Rae proceeded to dance and move about with vigour on stage, the rest of the band and their music blended into a seamless stream of satisfying sounds. One of the other aspects I loved was the synchronicity between guitarist and bassist duo, Heath and Mel, respectively. Garnering a strong response from the crowd, their solos, riffs, and style gave much to what was an enjoyable and strong performance. Added to this was Rae’s various amusing anecdotes. Both my friend and I agreed they were a highlight and great start to the night.

Following in TUX’s stead was Arakeye. This band provided a very interesting and unexpected mix of styles. Where at times, Arakeye had a sound of melodic alt-rock, at others, vocalist Jay Fullwood would throw up his hood and burst into an explosion of nigh nu-metal inspired vibrance. Hidden beneath the smoke and hues of green and blue, Jay announced to the audience, “So we took a bit of a break to write some songs, but it’s good to be back; especially at such a great show!” Looking back at my notes, one of the big things I underlined was “grooves”. And this is probably one of the better recommendations I can give to Arakeye’s music. It was incredibly groove-driven, and it gave their sound a dynamic and forceful approach. Something I thoroughly enjoyed. Despite the at times blinding strobe lights that flashed quite frequently, for the most part, this didn’t appear to bother too many, with people still moving along and getting into their music. Between the tough riffs and the heavy sound, Arakeye were a nice surprise for the evening.

Serving as the final opener for the night was New South Wale’s Glass Ocean, who’d travelled by car all the way from the Sydney the night before to play this show. This was a band I was very much looking forward to seeing tonight. Having never seen or heard much of their material in the past, purely from the positive reaction I’d heard from these guys, it made me that much more excited and intrigued to see what they could do. From the on set, it was clear how many people knew of this band and obviously enjoyed their music. Glass Ocean stuck claim to one of the best crowd responses of the night, with a fair majority in the audience singing enthusiastically and loudly to their songs, and moving with the grace and exuberance that frontman Tobias Atkins displayed often throughout their set. One of the best points I can award Glass Ocean is how lively and animated they were on stage. Not only did Tobias move with the style of David Bowie, and, to quote a friend and fellow Metal Obsessor, Jainash, of Elvis Presley also, but so did the rest of the band. Telling heartfelt anecdotes that led into songs just as powerful, Glass Ocean enticed the crowd and gave thanks to many, whilst soaked under the teal lighting. They are a treasure I’m glad I discovered.

The time had come for the final act of the night and the show’s headliner, Orsome Welles. This is my third time seeing this band live, and let me tell you, in the relatively short space of time it’s been since I first saw them open for Orphaned Land in early 2014, this band has grown and evolved substantially. Their music has matured, and their live stage presence is a thing to behold in itself. Emerging on stage to a strong response, it wasn’t long before the band had many under their spell: headbanging and singing along to their ever unique brand of prog/alt-rock music. Vocalist Michael Stowers was an easy standout of the performance. This man is gifted in what he does. Not only is he a great songwriter – as songs like “Father’s Eyes” would show (a tribute to his own father) – but he has one of the best and most captivating voices you’ll hear. With the distortions high and the riff-heavy, groove sections being one of the most entertaining parts of their set, the way guitarists Nick Toohey and Steven Angell would work in sync and play off one another, was one of the best things I saw that night. Come the point where Orsome Welles performed “Swim” (a new track solely written by Stowers), the venue fell silent to the song’s melodious, soft opening. As the song reached its threshold, the crowd erupted as Orsome Welles stepped beyond that point and the music and joyous cries from the audience carried high and well into the ceiling. When a band can take an already exceptional studio track, and make it that much better and involved in a live setting, you know they’re talented. And this was most certainly the case with Orsome Welles.

This was one of the most entertaining and unique shows I’ve been to in some time. A massive thanks and salute to everyone involved.

You can purchase “Swim” now via Orsome Welles’ official bandcamp.

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