Live Review: Hoodoo Gurus / Goldstars

I think I own four albums by Hoodoo Gurus and was surprised by how fast all of it came back to me.  The band mentioned that they hadn't been in the states for ten years or so, but you wouldn't have known it by their antics or their fans singing or tapping to every song.  They started off with an old song, then a new song, and after that it was full of requests and a list of old favorites they seemed dying to play, Come Anytime, What's My Scene, Head In The Sand.

Like a hard-rocking Australian bar band their style was confident and energetic, and surprisingly loud.  Dave Faulkner, now without the long hair of past years provided strong vocals, and guitarist Brad Shepard had all the moves, kicks and jumps of a 20-something heavy metal rocker.  It was like they never even broke up, or put the band on hold for other projects as they hit every note they attempted.  The show was very entertaining and even with their short hibernation proved that they perfected unfashionable kitchy garage-rock before a lot of others. 

Chicago's The Goldstars  broke quickly out of the gate with their style of garage-rock insanity.  They didn't need any warmup, blasting into plenty of songs from their latest Purple Girlfriend.  They dressed in the same long-sleeved black shirts and threw nothing but fastballs.  Dag Juhlin dazzled on guitar in his effortless style, and Sal loaded song after song with energy and gusto.  It was good-natured between songs as that was the only time it slowed down.  Skipper infused every song with a classic yet updated 60's organ sound, and Goodtime kept it going strong on the drum.  A great band for getting sweaty, dancing and drinking, The Goldstars certainly bring it with the live show.