Sealifepark (with Iron On and Turnpike)
The Healer, Brisbane, Australia
Thursday, 5th June 2003

It’s refreshing to go to a gig where the majority of the audience is comprised of the band members and their friends.

Iron On were first up. A little research indicates that this is an “indie-rock” band. I’ve always wondered what that is meant to mean, and I can now say I’m closer to knowing than ever before.

They sound a bit like Pollen (where are they now?) would if they had a chick do some of the vocals. A ‘young’ band, closer musically to promise than to fruition. That said, it’s about time someone was having a serious go at doing this kind of music again, and Iron On have some pretty good ideas, so I’m keen to see what else they’ve got.

Turnpike are a three-piece of the “ten thousand monkeys” genre. Give ten thousand monkeys a guitar each, and so forth. On a long enough timeline, random distorted guitar ramblings consolidate themselves into something you can slap a time signature on and call a tune. See also: Rival Flight.

Sealifepark are close to what I think the ideal grunge band would be, without actually being one. They seem to hint, by way of songs like Strike III and A Clean Slate, that they are capable of flying off the handle, albeit with some restraint. For the most part though, this is slow and dreamy, Sunday morning waking-up type music.

Lee’s voice is as great live as it is on disc, and the musicians have a unique sound that is skilled but not robotic. That said, I’m not sure there was any huge benefit in going to see them live. The song list was kind of short, considering they have about three albums worth of material. Still, it was good value for money and a damn sight better than sitting in front of the telly at home.

Rating: **½ two and a half asterisks.