From The Gnome: The Screaming Jets

The Screaming Jets
Revesby Workers
Friday, July 11, 2008 

Quiet Crowd, Great Gig

Why don’t people get out there and see live music? Is it just Sydney with pathetically small audiences? People talk about the hey days back in the 70s and 80s when you could go see great bands every weekend. Well, you know what? THERE ARE GREAT BANDS PLAYING EVERY WEEKEND! You people are just too lazy to go home from work, eat your dinner, and then go out into the cold night to rock. You’re too old. 

F*ck that. I went out.

The Screaming Jets are a great rock band. Every song starts with grunt and melody. Intros get your heart pumping. Paul and Mickl, on bass and drums respectively, are the heart of the band. Duelling guitarists, Izzy and Scotty, are the muscles, making the sound big, full, and dynamic. With two guitarists they have more sonic power; nothing in the rhythm gets lost during the solos - everything keeps pumping. And, while I’m using anatomy to describe this band, I might as well say that Dave is the skin. He holds it all together, makes you watch him, and embodies the character of the band. 

The Wrath of Gleeson

What do John Howard, George Bush, The Pope, Amy Winehouse, The Balmain Tigers, and Dennis Ferguson have in common? They can’t escape the wrath of Gleeson. Dave can’t help but stir up emotions with his between-song banter. He challenges bureaucracy, power, religion, and anything else that enters his mind. With a mic in his hand he ruthlessly berates people who aren’t there to defend themselves. Dave doesn’t care. He has a pulpit and he uses it. Without apology he throws out foul sentiments. He isn’t afraid to put his foot in his mouth. Last night, he asked this western Sydney audience if they follow AFL. The silence was deafening. Then he followed with a firm stance on his sexual preferences, “Just because I’ve moved to Adelaide, I haven’t gone all soft and gay.”  

As I watched and listened to him, I couldn’t help but wonder what the Americans or Europeans will think. Will he endear himself to them with his honesty? Or will he make them angry? How will the Screaming Jets make it big? Will the Aussie pride (justifiable) and opinionated rants (showing true character) get in the way of the music?

I’ve read the old forum and I’ve seen past articles. The Screaming Jets have been saying that a new album is coming for YEARS. We got a taste of what better be the first single last night (I’ve heard it a few times now, and I think it’s a winner). Do Ya? Do Ya? Do Ya? Do Ya? Was written by Izzy and suits the band perfectly. The lyrics scream Dave. The guitar riff is awesome. It’s a rock song with a Jets edge. It’s got radio written all over it. I can’t wait for it to be the opening song of a set, with every punter knowing the words and shouting along, rather than hidden away in the middle. 

Encores Suck

Don’t get me started on the encores again. Oops, too late. Last night, the band should have walked off stage and into the dressing room and stayed there. Not because their show didn’t deserve an encore, but because the punters were quiet. No chanting, no clapping, no swell of emotion to GIVE US MORE. Nope, the lights didn’t come up, and so they expected to get the encore. They stood there and waited. You could hear general chatter for Christ’s sake!  

F*ck that. Here’s my advice to bands. Play everything. Give ‘em everything you’ve got. Then walk off stage and kiss ‘em good-bye. If they won’t let you leave the building without one more, play your favourite song again. But only after the house lights have come on and the decibel metre goes off the scale.  

GET OUT THERE, Australia. I’m sick of seeing great bands play to half filled rooms. Find a designated driver, drink a few beers, and rock hard. You only get one life.  

~The Metro Gnome

P.S. The Screaming Jets (http://www.screamingjets.com.au/) are playing tonight (Saturday, July 12) at Rooty Hill RSL, Friday, July 18 at Souths Juniors, and Saturday, July 19 at The Hunter Brewrey in Maitland.