Popping My Cherry with The Delta Riggs

Popping My Cherry
with The Delta Riggs

Last Friday night, I was in virgin territory. It was the first time I’d ever properly reviewed a gig, the first time I’d been to the new Neverland Bar, and somehow the first time I’d ever seen local Gold Coast lads The Delta Riggs play.  These boys have been the men about town for ages and for whatever reason I’ve never got to see them. 

Getting there relatively early, the Neverland Bar blew me away. Definitely one of the best venues on the coast, the brutally simple venue set the mood for what was to come later that evening, and believe me, the vibes were high. A few beers, a few chats, and a few hundred people later, 5 lads stumbled onto the manky stage set up in the corner of the bar; enter The Delta Riggs. 

Now to be honest, I was scared that I was going to have to make up a whole load of bullshit for this gig review, but having seen a band of this stature, the words spill out like word vomit. These guys absolutely kill it. A straight-up rock’n’roll band, the boys are raw, punchy and just ‘rock’ in its purest form.

Defined as playing ‘sweaty rock and roll with stupidly sweet pop sensibility’, The Delta Riggs are kinda like Jet, but with more depth. The hints of blues and country add extra element to their sound.

On stage, I can’t stress how easy it all seems to come to them. It was more like seeing them jam than playing in front of the crowd. And it’s this brutal rawness that makes them such an epic band. Stand out track of the set was Get Back, a slower yet still as strong track, based around an over-the-phone argument between Elliot and his girlfriend whilst standing inside a club. 

Not to take away from the rest of the guys, it’s frontman Elliot, with charisma nothing short of a rock god that captivates you. Equipped with a harmonica in one hand, and a drink in the other, he’s a true showman. How that massive sound comes out of that wirey skeleton frame I have no idea. His on-stage antics cast him in the character of a rock’n’roll priest, preaching his songs and converting non-believers by the second. 

The guys played a killer set, got everyone dancing and also thrashed out covers of LCD Soundsystem’s Daft Punk is Playing At My House, and Slave by The Rolling Stones. They’ve recently recorded at Sony Studios, but after listening to earlier recordings, merely listening to them doesn’t cut-it; it’s when they perform is when the boys truly deliver. 

I truthfully haven’t heard a band this brilliant in years, and how they’re not massive I have no idea. It’s a real shame they’re playing this weekend too; I might just have to force myself to go see them again. Put these guys on your to-do list. 

Jordan Bond

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http://www.myspace.com/deltariggs