Calling All Cars came and rocked Canberra last week at a sold out show at Transit Bar as part of their Dancing With a Dead Man album tour. Supported by Redcoats and Boy In a Box, the bands didn’t disappoint.
Melbourne-based band Redcoats were up first with songs from their debut EP. The four-piece warmed up the crowd with their song ‘Giant’ as well as their debut single ‘Dreamshaker’. You could hear the influences of Kyuss, Black Sabbath and Black Mountain throughout their music. Redcoats proved that they were worth the early arrival as they impressed the growing crowd.
Boy In a Box hit the stage next and continued to wow the crowd. The boys, also from Melbourne, played songs such as ‘Moon Comes Up’ and ‘Glitter, Gold, Ruin’ to a very appreciative audience. The three-piece were full of energy and even if you didn’t know the words, you couldn’t help but dance along.
Finally after two great sets, Calling All Cars came on as the audience gravitated towards the stage. The band played songs from their new album ‘Dancing With a Dead Man’ such as ‘Worlds Collide’, ‘She’s Delirious’, ‘Reptile’ and ‘There’s a Dead Man In My Room’ as well as songs from their highly acclaimed 2010 debut album, Hold Hold Fire.
Calling All Cars knew how to rock a crowd, having toured extensively over the past 18 months with rock heavyweights such as AC/DC, Queens Of The Stone Age and Grinspoon. Their set was constantly exciting, energetic and engaging to watch. Lead singer Haydn Ing was immersed in the audience as he walked through the bar while playing his guitar, having to jump over tables and chairs to get back to the stage.
The band finished the set on a high with the crowd going wild as the screams of, “one more song,” filled Transit Bar. When the gig finished they mingled with the crowd, selling their merchandise, happily answering questions and signing autographs. If you weren’t a fan of the band at the beginning of the night, you were by the time you left.
Photos: Chris Whitfield
