Vasco Era, Rock 'n' Rolling Thunder from Down Under!
June Caldwell
July 26, 2006
Vasco Era is an amazing trio from Apollo Bay, the most sleepy teeny surf town on the shores of Victoria, Australia. Blazing onto the scene in the wake of Wolfmother and the John Butler Trio, they solidify Oz as the home of blues rock updated. Their set was a glory of no-holds barred thunder from down under. Rarely do I see a band throw themselves so wholly into a set. It seems like trios, from The Jam to Muse have an especially tight intensity and Vasco Era is no exception. Sid and Ted are brothers and Michael on drums grew up with them on idyllic Apollo Bay. They had too much intensity and force to be limited to that little town, and after touring with the likes of Wolfmother and The Violent Femmes, they made their way to their own tour in the US.
Sid started out the set solo, with the Elvis Presley’ classic ‘I Can’t Help Falling In Love With You’. I started to suspect what was coming around the bend as the intensity of the song slowly built from a cheerful lounge singer quality to an out and out growl fest! His deep vocals try to hold back, but blaze in an all out triumph that has to make Elvis get all shook up even from the grave.
Hello, I’m With Your Man’ started out with deceptively casual harmonic strutting guitars, breaks fast into their signature pounding thunder. Sid’s vocals are especially taught as he holds back at first to let his guitar and Ted’s bass shine through. Michael’s drums are bright and upbeat. Luring lyrics with the balls to the wall drums and guitar are a wall of sound and excitement. Sid’s vocals almost hit a sneer before they break loose into growling almost possessed revelry.
I’ve Seen You Alone’ barrels at you like a roller coaster beginning with spare drums and screaming guitar, suddenly breaking into full force rock and roll. By now we know what to expect, and savor the build from minimalist to blazing throughout the number. The dark barroom sound is perfect for Spaceland. Once again with a tightness only a trio can maintain, these guys pull the tension taught and kick down the walls with one of their more faster tempo slammers.
Sweet Little Honey Bee’ is the song they said they enjoy most performing. Starting with menacing guitars and relentless drums, Sid’s growl slams in with full-throttle force. Blues jacked up to a higher intensity without falling into a spastic speedy level. He drawls ‘Yours to the end’ in the chorus and you know the honey bee has to be sweet. I loved the blazing guitar solo. The relentless energy and power of the drum, guitar and bass are sometimes overshadowed by Sid’s unique voice and charisma, and throughout you are startled as you notice how seamlessly they all fit together. These guys are so much fun to watch, an out and out party and barroom brawl in every song, you almost forget how strong and tight the band is. Dripping with sweat at the end of the set, they turned what started out to be a quiet Monday at Spaceland into a party of admirers running up to the stage to congratulate them, as if they created so much energy nobody at that point was quite ready to pack it up and go home!
Sid started out the set solo, with the Elvis Presley’ classic ‘I Can’t Help Falling In Love With You’. I started to suspect what was coming around the bend as the intensity of the song slowly built from a cheerful lounge singer quality to an out and out growl fest! His deep vocals try to hold back, but blaze in an all out triumph that has to make Elvis get all shook up even from the grave.
Hello, I’m With Your Man’ started out with deceptively casual harmonic strutting guitars, breaks fast into their signature pounding thunder. Sid’s vocals are especially taught as he holds back at first to let his guitar and Ted’s bass shine through. Michael’s drums are bright and upbeat. Luring lyrics with the balls to the wall drums and guitar are a wall of sound and excitement. Sid’s vocals almost hit a sneer before they break loose into growling almost possessed revelry.
I’ve Seen You Alone’ barrels at you like a roller coaster beginning with spare drums and screaming guitar, suddenly breaking into full force rock and roll. By now we know what to expect, and savor the build from minimalist to blazing throughout the number. The dark barroom sound is perfect for Spaceland. Once again with a tightness only a trio can maintain, these guys pull the tension taught and kick down the walls with one of their more faster tempo slammers.
Sweet Little Honey Bee’ is the song they said they enjoy most performing. Starting with menacing guitars and relentless drums, Sid’s growl slams in with full-throttle force. Blues jacked up to a higher intensity without falling into a spastic speedy level. He drawls ‘Yours to the end’ in the chorus and you know the honey bee has to be sweet. I loved the blazing guitar solo. The relentless energy and power of the drum, guitar and bass are sometimes overshadowed by Sid’s unique voice and charisma, and throughout you are startled as you notice how seamlessly they all fit together. These guys are so much fun to watch, an out and out party and barroom brawl in every song, you almost forget how strong and tight the band is. Dripping with sweat at the end of the set, they turned what started out to be a quiet Monday at Spaceland into a party of admirers running up to the stage to congratulate them, as if they created so much energy nobody at that point was quite ready to pack it up and go home!
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