Byron Bay-based boys PLTS (pronounced ‘pilots’) kicked off the night right on time (which, as a stage manager let me tell you, that is a dream come true), with such a well-developed sound it was hard to believe they were live and not playing with a full backing track. At first look, one might expect to hear something of a more surf-rock vibe, but it was clear once they started playing that they’re well and truly established under the alt-rock umbrellas. Lead vocalist and guitarist Kit Bray piloted (geddit?) the performance with bold and confident vocals, with Byron Carney (rhythm guitar) and Harry Deacon (drums) – and some seemingly unnamed fourth member – bringing together essence of the PLTS sound .
“Having worked with JP Fung (Birds of Tokyo, Art VS Science, Josh Pyke) and Nick Didia (Powderfinger, Pearl Jam, Bruce Springsteen) to produce their take on energetic indie-rock, PLTS have quickly cemented their status through powerful, anthemic song writing.”
It’s honestly no wonder these guys scored support on the Hands Like Houses bill, considering their previous success touring with heavyweights such as The Amity Affliction and The Jezebels, and just how good they are, both recorded and on stage. Their songwriting creates a fantastic, warm and nostalgic feel, keeping you hooked on the lyrics and instrumentals all the while. As an independently releasing group, these guys know how to perform – and just as a side note, can someone give the night’s techies a kiss for me? Because the sound was ON POINT. I can’t stress enough how much of a difference a decent sound guy/gal makes, and they certainly found one.
“Weaving warm melodies over strong and stirring guitar lines, PLTS are converting new friends and fans as they turn studio creations into energetic, nostalgic anthems. 2018 sees the band expand their discography once again with the release of their latest offering ‘Maelstrom’.”
Having won ‘featured stars’ for one of Triple J Unearthed’s Local’s Stage spots at 2016 Splendour in the Grass alongside Alex Lahey, and playing at BIGSOUND 2017, the alt-indie-rock 4 piece have been slowly but surely gaining limelight interest. I keep finding it crazy that I hadn’t heard of them before now, because seriously, they’re SO good. My personal favourite tunes would have to be ‘On & On’ and their latest single Maelstrom, both holding catchy guitar and lyrics that I can’t get out of my head. Their slight but lively archive has clocked up over 3 million streams online, attracting a steady following both locally and across the country, and rightly so. If you get the chance, definitely go see them.
“Ridiculously huge!” – THE AU REVIEW
“Swelling, anthemic vocals and muscular instrumentation.” – HAPPY
“I DIG THIS HARD!” – Bridget Hustwaite, TRIPLE J
“PLTS have crafted an energetic slice of indie-rock that’s another example of their fantastic versatility in the Aussie indie/punk/rock scene.” – Pilerats
And now on to the main event…Hands Like Houses might just be my favourite Australian band – and so, of course, this review is already going to be biased – I’m okay with that, I hope you are.
“Born and bred in Canberra, Hands Like Houses – comprising of Trenton Woodley (vocals), Alexander Pearson (guitar), Joel Tyrrell (bass), Matthew Parkitny (drums) & Matt “Coops” Cooper (guitar) – are one of the most famous rock exports ever to emerge from the nation’s capital.“
As soon as it came time for their set, any plans for note-taking went out the window. As I said, I failed to take notes while being squashed amongst the sweaty passionate fans who accompanied me second-from-barrier, and yet this is looking to be my longest written review thus far. The Canberra-based experimental alt-rock heavyweights started their slot a few minutes late – but if anything, this only amped up the crowd’s anticipation. The band came out on stage to a screaming sold-out room. As always, Trenton and the guys know how to work the stage and the crowd – though sometimes I find myself happily confused and slightly concerned with Joel’s crazy stage-to-crowd antics. Personally, it had been a while since I’d had a proper dirty, sweaty, jump-around and head-bang show experience, and it was SO MUCH FUN.
Hands like Houses very clearly know their crowd favourites, opening with New Romantics and gradually making their way through their most popular songs, past and present – my personal favourites being their recent release Monster and of course older classics including Colourblind, Introduced Species, Perspectives, No Parallels, and I Am (see below for a full ordered setlist). Their stage presence holds up to one of any other, consistently coming out with an engaging, eye-catching, crowd-charming performance, with lyrics and instrumental talent to match.
“Here, the band have a definite Linkin Park influence that is palpable and deliciously enjoyable, but they go funkier, with distorted edges on rocker “Monster,” the album’s second single/video.” -CrypticRock
As I write this (13/10/18) Joel and Matt are doing a live Q&A on Facebook and I managed to ask for their favourite parts of last night’s show, Joel being particularly happy with their first-time-performances of 3 of their new songs – Bad Dream, Sick, and Tilt. I also got the chance to ask Trenton what the idea was behind the imagery of their album artwork for the new album ‘Anon.’ and he gave such an unexpectedly in-depth answer that I didn’t manage to get it all down quickly enough, but I’ll paraphrase;
“We were just thinking about different things that are sorta anonymous. Like with the chrysalis…we were just in a backyard and we saw these caterpillars, but nobody knew what the cocoons were. I think we get so stuck living in our constructed environments that nobody recognizes what a chrysalis is, even though they see and recognize the monarch butterfly everywhere, we often don’t recognize where it comes from, it was a lot to do with the stage in our progression, it just sorta felt right.”
As does every performance Hands Like Houses give. With tickets for the release shows being whisked up within 48 hours, and they boys already preparing to announce their next Australian tour, Hands Like Houses have potentially played these smaller venues for the last time, surely to move on to bigger and bolder for the future.
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