POLLYANNA, SNOUT, VALVOLUX - Newport Hotel, Fremantle
by Nick Cowie (nick@mft.wa.gov.au)

I arrived a little later than hoped and unfortunately missed Humbug. Valvolux who were substituting for the injured Flanders, had the crowd divided into two. With those who liked the band or were investigating the source of the loud noise inside. With those who disliked the band remained in the courtyard outside. I have never meet anyone who is neutral about Valvolux, you either intensely like or dislike them. (No comment Ed.) Having already reviewed them already once this week, all I will say is that they lacked the urgency and a few pints of Guiness from Friday's performance. Still they had a few people dancing by the end of the set, tonight.

I had not seen Snout before and not remembering any of their songs that have had airplay. I considered it a brave move on my part, but down the front, to have a closer look. I did not need to worry, Snout are great live. Dirty guitar pop with hooks and interesting lyrics. Musically it reminded me of a couple of English pop/punk bands from the late 7Ts. Vocals in the vein of a English ska bands from the early 8Ts. Though this opinion may be slightly coloured by the mod styled haircut, jacket and tie of Ross McLennan, bass player and vocalist. In other bands he might be termed a `livewire', next to Greg Ng the guitarist who spent the set leaping about, he looked sedate. They finished with their current single, a great little pop song `Cromagon Man'. From the crowd reaction, I was not the only convert.

I have not been impressed that much by a interstate touring band since Pollyanna supported Saidaside at this venue in July last year. Back then, I lasted about four songs into Saidaside set before leaving, in my opinion Pollyanna just blew them away. Since them I have seen Pollyanna, play three more times. Other than their last show at this venue in November with a hung over and very tired band, they have all been great sets. Tonight, was no different, even with Rayke breaking a bass string and a few odd noises emanating from the foldback monitors.

Pollyanna play American influenced, guitar pop with rock tendencies and catchy melodies. The last couple of singles catch Pollyanna at their extremes, `Lemonsuck' is at their poppiest, `Piston' at their noisiest. Their current single `Keep Me Guessing' is more typical of Pollyanna and their new album `Longplayer' is tour was promoting. If you don't recognised the three singles, you haven't been listening to the radio (or you have not been in Australia) for the past nine months, because they have all received considerable airplay (For a young Australian band). Tonight, Pollyanna played all three singles, the bulk of the `Longplayer' album, plus `Grover Washington' and `Pale Grey Eyes' from Junior EP and `FordSilverGreenRocket' from the vinyl/CD single of the same name. A thoroughly enjoyable set, not the most active band on stage, but definitely fun to see live.

I had a very good night, with the very pleasant surprise of Snout and better than expected performance by Pollyanna.

BTW If you want more information about Pollyanna check out their web page at http://www.magna.com.au/~kelvinl/p-index.html