Eagle and the Worm have been creating something of a buzz around themselves since emerging last year and have just released their debut album Good Times, a ten song ode to upbeat soulful rock n’roll. To celebrate the album’s release the eight piece behemoth gathered at Melbourne’s Cherry Bar, a long established haunt for those who enjoy busting a shaky move, on a Thursday, the venue’s long established soul night.
At precisely 10:30, all eight members of EATW - singer/guitarist Jarrad Brown, bassist Richard Bradbeer, keys player Joe Cope, guitarist Michael Hubbard, drummer Jim Lowrie and horn section Emily Mould, Ross Beaton, and Liam McGorry, managed to squeeze together on Cherry’s stage. It was immediately apparent from note one that the ‘up and coming’ tag applied to this collective is completely deserved.
While Good Times is without a doubt a flawless debut, in person the band rocked harder, sang sweeter and packed twice as much soul power into the horns. Long hair dangling as he switched between piano, organ and psychedelic synth parts, Cope helped to add an extra layer of texture and depth as well as the odd freakout moments, while Lowrie kept a steady beat ensuring that the train never left the tracks.
The horns were as tight as you could wish for, adding both, punch, melody and an extra level of excitement. Although occasionally their lines sounded very similar to certain classics from the Atlantic and Stax Records catalogues, they managed to incorporate them into the overall sound to create something entirely fresh sounding. In fact, that is exactly what makes EATW work so well; they manage to take a familiar formula and innovate within those set perimeters, creating something that is simultaneously familiar and excitingly new.
Hubbard, who people may know from basically every second band in Melbourne, wearing his standard double denim and serious expression, stood to the front of the stage, adding country blues licks and slide guitar that would make Keith Richards proud. To his right stood the band’s main man, singer/songwriter/musical chameleon Jarrad Brown, also a familiar face to Melbourne musicians. Having performed in plethora of groups over the years, notably The Incredible Dead Goons, The Cutom Kings, and The Jordie Lane Band, this is the first time that Brown has stepped out to take centre stage with a creation of his own.
Throughout the gig Brown provided a counterpoint to Hubbard’s largely stoic expression by writhing around on the spot, throwing his head back to accentuate a “yeah!” and rocking out on his interesting looking half bass/half electric guitar. Sporting a great voice for rock n’roll and a slightly oversized shirt, Brown seemed perfectly at home in his new role as the geeky-cool understated frontman, and the excited young girls in the front row seemed to agree.
Having only a single record to their name, Brown noted that they had little choice but to play the entire album, which they did, with the exclusion of psychedelic closer “Already Stands”. Anyone who has heard the recorded songs would not be surprised to know that when performed live they absolutely tear the roof off, “Not Coming Home”, “Good Times” and “1 To the Floor” being particular highlights. To ensure the set list didn’t seem too brief, the inclusion of a cover was inevitable, but, with an album that is full of potential singles/festival favourites, how does one raise the energy level even further to close the set? The choice was so apt and blended so well with the rest of the material that, despite its fame, The Rolling Stones’ “Rocks Off” could have been a Brown composition from Good Times, the 70’s gospel infused rock suiting them every inch.
Brown lamented at one point that having eight members in your band meant that you would instantly be classified as a party band (before getting the entire Cherry Bar to do the old tried and true drop to the floor and jump up again routine), however if Eagle and the Worm are a party band, it is to the same extent that The Rolling Stones in their prime were, but without “Angie”. They brought the party with an obvious knowledge and respect for those who had done it before, providing excitement, musical interest and entertainment, everything that you want from rock n’roll. A great gig from your new favourite band.
