*FOREWORD* Maybe I'm old and getting cranky, but for fucks sake, jumping around in a large circle with your missus so that your bodyparts continue to hit me and everyone else around you, is going to make me hate you so much that the hate will penetrate your skull and cause you neural damage. Just FYI, have a nice day.
Ball Park Music are a Brisbane band making it pretty big in the local and national scene, particularly amongst Triple J's audience (not that I listen to any other station besides it and 4zzz). It's hard to avoid their biggest songs at the moment "Rich People Are Stupid" and "Sad Rude Future Dude", both on high rotation, and both with a catch bordering on TOO infectious.
I checked them out at the Alhambra Lounge a week ago, a place I've never ventured to for live music, but really only dancing (being one of the few non-'r&b' or trance clubs). I was interested to see how the night would play out in this venue. The stage was set up parallel to the usual DJ stage, and I must admit I found it difficult to see anything, and the passage from the door to the toilets became a problem as it was in a prime viewing area. Nonetheless I managed to enjoy the gig, despite the crowd wanker that exists at every concert (see foreword). I got in just in time for most of the Adelaide band City Riots' set (having sadly missed Millions), which was fairly catchy and enjoyably rocky. I will have to listen again to see if any of it really sticks, but myself and the rest of the crowd were pleasantly amused to be treated to a cover of Springsteen's "Dancing in the Dark", as their last song. Apparently someone from Drawn From Bees joined them to play it, so hooray for Brisbane indie crossovers.
Ball Park arrived with a full crowd eager to hear their set. Frontman Sam was quite the enigmatic leader, introducing each song with biting wit. The rest of the band members shared his enthusiasm which made for an xplosive, tight set, energetic and engaging. It's refreshing to see, amongst the 'please take us seriously' indie bands out there, a band that really just wants to let loose and have a bit of fun; are not here to change our perspectives or make us think too hard, but here to entertain, make us dance, and also throw a few sympathetic situations out there we can all relate to easily. In this way, in their lyrics and melodies, they have a slight Custard feel about them. Perhaps Sam Cromack is the new Dave McCormack? Whoah now Steph, lets calm it down a little.
But really, what a local band needs to get places is something to get people to take notice, and Ball Park Music definitely have that with their frontman. The guy even smoked his own moustache in their last video. Sam's vocals are strong and effortless, and not affected a bit while tossing himself into the crowd for a surf on multiple occasions. Gig buddy and I were stunned with his ability to carry a tune and lyric without a hitch despite being snatched and passed between drunken gig venturers.
I have to admit I much more enjoyed the other songs away from their two big hits at the moment; mostly due to overexposure. They had some great quieter moments too, showing that they do have range and it doesn't all have to be in your face grunge pop. And just to mix it up, the band impressed me with their fun cover of "Peaches" by the Presidents of the USA, getting the crowd singing along with laughter. As they closed with "Sad Rude Future Dude", it was extremely hard not to bop and sing along to it, which goes to show, even if you've had enough of something, it can still be enjoyable.
It's probably still early days for Ball Park Music's unleashing onto the world, and it's clear that they have a long career ahead of them, especially if their live show is anything to go by. Their music is nothing new, spectacular or creatively out there, but it's good stuff, and a whole lot of fun, and we need more fun in our lives if you ask me.
7 and a half hair cigarettes out of 10.
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