Let it be known, Something for Kate do not play gigs anymore; they play concerts. If you want the proof, consult the checklist: a) sold out venue, b) fans (as opposed to punters) ignoring the supports, c) fans wearing band t-shirts before the show, as well as selling out the merchandise following the show, d) fans taking photos during show, and e) fans singing along to songs, drowning out singer. Ticks for all 5. Yet I think I did better to grasp the sutuation than one very over-whelmed Mr Dempsey. Except an isolated show at Falls, which incidentally produced the best set of the event for my money, it seems a complete lack of live shows over the last 3 or so months has not done any harm to the S.F.K. carreer. This was truly a unique experience; not just in regards to the buzzing atmosphere of the night, but what the night actually contained. Only five old tracks were played tonight, including Pinstripe - the best song to be penned by an Australian artist in the last five years. The rest constituted the unveiling of all new numbers from the forth-coming album, such as the very strong Before Butterflies Wings, the Anchorman, and the exceptional Big Screen Television. Yet the hightlight of the night was the soon to be released single Electricity, that is brazenly sticking it’s head out early on and proclaiming itself as contender for single of the year. Alas, if only they released it in November, they could become the new darlings of Triple J’s top 100. (And by the way, the people of J land did well to get a lot of Aussie bands in the top 10, but to allay rumours of rigging by putting Pretty Shit (for some white guys) at number 1 is taking it too far. Surely they knew that a vote for the Offspring constituted a donkey vote). Know that I’ve got that off my chest, back tot the issues at hand. The guys and gal played a great set. Even with the incessant presentation of unfamiliar material, the interest never abated. Paul, the reticent and reluctant pseudo (in the sense it just hasn’t happened yet) super-star, Clint, who puts the demon back into demonstrative (and you can quote me on that) the smooth and sultry Steph, and (hopefully to be permanent member) Wally the Gunn (you don’t have to quote me on that) could be on the verge of deservingly bigger and better things. Will last Saturday night at the Corner come to be viewed as a definitive moment in the life S.F.K? Probably not. It was just a local band playing at a local pub. And it was one the best concerts I’ve seen in a long time, but I advise you get there early.
JAYSON ARGALL Beat Magazine 3/2/99