Stand Out

So it was to be that only June and I made the journey to Newcastle to see the Basics and the Bawdies. Sally was still suffering from work miseries and felt she would be a wet blanket. Edna was required to stay at work and be bored to within and inch of her life.

After leaving Sydney at just after four we finally rolled into Newcastle for 7.30 and into the Lucky Country. What a grotty place and the barmaid defied belief. I was in a town of bogans. After a single drink we decided to go have a look at the Pasha Baulker that got beached a couple weeks back on Nobbys Beach, just a five minute drive from the city centre. It was amazing! Only about fifty metres from the car park and at just right the angle to catch every single wave that hit the side with a crashing pound. Must go back in daylight before they move it.

Back at the pub, the bands started to play after June and I had got autographs from all the band members.

Bass Guitar - Kris Schroeder

Drums - Wally De Backer

Lead Guitar - Tim Heath

The Basics with The Bawdies
The Lucky Country, Crown Street, Newcastle.
22nd June 2007

Only an hour late, the Bawdies started their set with an energetic rendition of Have Mercy. The music was great and the brown suits with ties looked the biz but the sound of Merseybeat and Mustang Sally (brought the popularity by Wilson Picket in 1966) just seemed wrong coming from four lads from Japan. They were good, very good infact and throughout guitarist Jim gave the whole forty-five minute set the dynamism that had the whole audience bopping with little care for those around them. The choreography of the band was well planned and executed precisely, all adding to the over all affect of banishing the initial jolt of oddity.

After a short delay and change of instruments The Basics took the stage and welcomed all present in Japanese. The hand written notes held still by the mike stands gave away their source and their fellow musicians looked on proudly at their efforts. Money followed by Have Love started the set with slightly less pep than the band before, but everyone was glad of the rest. Soon though the beat stepped up a notch with a cover of All Day and All Night and once again the crowd was dancing the night away. Halfway through their time on stage they sang Hey Rain. In light of the recent events in Newcastle it may not have been the wisest choice but surprisingly it went down very well with a slight sway taking over the people and the biggest cheer of the evening marking the end. With an encore of four songs it was one of the longest set I have ever seen them do at nearly 90 minutes. At this rate they will be able to play bigger and better venues than the dive that is the The Lucky Country.

Runlist for The Bawdies
1. Have Mercy
2. Shake It
3. Hips
4. Little Girl
5. Baby Sue
6. (no sure, it written in Japanese)
7. Oh! My Soul
8. Mustang Sally
9. Stop Your
10. Rosie
11. Whip It
12. I Beg You

Runlist for The Basics
1. Money
2. Have Love
3.
4. Hey There
5. Just Hold On
6. All Day and All Night
7. Second Best
8. Memory Lane
9. Hey Rain
10. Looking Over My Shoulder
11.
12. Rattle My Chain
13. If I Was Wrong
Encore
14. 3am by Cold Chisel
15. Come Together by Beatles
16. Together
17. Call it Rhythm and Blues