Tex Perkins wants his children to look like the members of Hansen and he’s also throwing around the idea of releasing a hair product named after himself – which of course no one would use, they’d just have it on their shelf so that people would admire their “Perko’s Hair Wax”. He might just be forming a ripper parody covers band too, but more on that later. One things for sure though: the packed Northcote Social Club agreed on a chilly Thursday night in Melbourne that the man is one funny customer; as he spent and hour and half delivering a variety of favourites at this intimate gig. Returning to the NSC after several years, this time off the drugs and wearing pants without holes, Perkins was accompanied by his Cruel Sea companion James Cruickshank.
Taking to their stools and little kit were the opening trio of Mike Noga, Gus Agars and Pat Bourke – aka three quarters of the Gentlemen of Fortune . Whilst loud guitar and drums are the norm for the Gentlemen, this was a much more subdued set for band. One punter that told Noga he needed to make everyone stand up was met with the quip, “Why? I’m sitting down?” and along with various other self depreciation and mockery, Noga had no trouble warming the crowd with good humour. The gentle country tunes waned a little toward the end, but the sharp harmonica kept all the early comers (practically a full room) at attention.
Tex Perkins made his second entrance the stage (he’d crept on to ask for his set list back whilst the first trio played) accompanied by James Cruickshank and the pair set themselves down as comfortably as they would in their lounge room. Perkins and Cruickshank have certainly had their fair share of experiences with crowds and both seemed to genuinely warm to the full room instantly. Taking to his stool, Perkins announced the introductory trio of songs would be without humour and irony, but not lacking obscurity. She Speaks A Different Language and Midnight Sunshine followed, with Perkins delivering each track earnestly.
Soon enough though, Perkins was finished with his seriousness and broke straight into the Tex, Don & Charlie favourite, Paycheques. The crowd laughed and sang along to the lyrics, “On weekends I perform miracles, I turn paycheques into wine”. From then on the set moved back and forth between playful chatter between the pair and inclusions from numerous projects of Perkins. The fun continued as he provided a comic rendition of Another Rain Song, complete wirh a random girl from the crowd being invited on stage to help out on tambourine (appropriately, she was later named “tambourine girl”). Then later, Perkins jokingly berated a roadie when he broke a guitar string and was given a smaller guitar for the song’s remainder – to which he remarked in conclusion, “Be rid of this ukulele!”
Cellist Zowie Barry was invited out for a trio of once again more serious numbers, which gave a lot more substance to the material, but never shying away from a little mockery, Perkins converted the final song into an amusing cover of Led Zeppelin’s No Quarter, apologizing for leaving the set with such a number. Returning to the stage with Cruickshank and Barry (and eventually “tambourine girl” as well), Perkins launched into a hilarious closing pair of tunes. First was something that he’d been working on with an upcoming project, The Ladyboyz: a cover of 10cc’s I Not In Love, complete with trusting arms and a whispered conclusion. Secondly for the encore was Candle in the Wind, to which Perkings took the absolute piss by replacing the lyrics with what the song was “really about” and greatly dramatizing the performance.
Claiming that he “needs” his audience as Perkins left the stage may have seemed a little much, but one thing’s for sure: he has them. Not only that, the major mix and match of generations in the sold out NSC will surely ensure that he keeps his audience for a long time to come. It looks like the Ladyboyz might be the next project on the card for Perkins, with his recent addition on the No Man’s Woman compilation showcasing his new band with a cover of I Am Woman. If you haven’t heard it yet, you should.
grattan
said on the 13th Sep, 2008