Gurus Apologise To Melbourne: ‘We Completely Misread You’
News posted Thursday, April 26 2012 at 09:00 AM.
Related: Hoodoo Gurus, Dig It Up.
The Hoodoo Gurus have apologised for cutting their set short at their Dig It Up! invitational in Melbourne yesterday (April 25).
The Gurus performed their 1984 debut Stoneage Romeos in its entirety, as well as a three-song encore, including 'Be A Woman', 'Television Addict' and 'Be My Guru', but a misunderstanding between crowd and band saw them wind up their set after about 80 minutes. The band had planned to perform a second encore, but decided to pull the pin when they couldn’t hear the audience cheering from their dressing room.
Lead singer Dave Faulkner, who’s been battling a chest infection that’s affected his singing for the past few days, posted the following statement on the band’s Facebook wall last night:
Tonight, we watched The Sonics play and they got a great reaction - so much so that when we walked on stage it seemed like there was hardly a murmur of excitement for us. That was a bit disconcerting to us but, nevermind, we were gonna give it our best shot. We played 'Stoneage Romeos' and were quite enjoying ourselves but, again, it felt like "you guys" were all just kinda hanging back and checking it out. We honestly thought you had pretty much had your fill of entertainment and were pretty much worn out. I now know that was completely wrong and that in fact a lot of you were really digging it. The people in front of us, though, were not moving or cheering very much, reinforcing our feeling that we were "surplus to requirements". It didn't matter - we tried our hardest and put everything into it.
The real misunderstanding started after that: I thought that we would be only be getting asked (by you) for one encore and that we would embarrass ourselves by trying to push for an extra one - it didn't sound like anyone even wanted ONE because there wasn't much cheering from where we stood backstage. I had planned on playing 'Be A Woman' for The Sonics and 'Television Addict' for the 5.6.7.8's if we got a second encore but as that didn't appear likely, I wrongly concluded, I decided to play them as the first (and only) encore instead of the songs I had originally planned for the encore (which some of you might have seen written on our setlist below the 'Stoneage Romeos' set).
So we came out for the encore (without much apparent fanfare) and we played 'Be A Woman', 'Television Addict' and 'Be My Guru' and after that it finally seemed like there was some cheering. We went up to our dressing room at the top of the building thinking to ourselves, "Great! At last - we've got some reaction." Unfortunately, from that dressing room we couldn't hear ANY of the continued cheering in the room and NO-ONE TOLD US. We were completely unaware of the strong reaction and we undressed and were towelling down. It was only after ten minutes that we found out that there had been such a strong demand for an encore and by then it was all too late.
We would have like to play more and I'm very sorry now that we didn't. We completely misread you, the audience, and were oblivious to how much were enjoying yourselves so again, I'm very sorry about this misunderstanding.
I really mean every word of what I just wrote but I also really mean this: nobody was shortchanged tonight. It was a fucking GREAT day of rock'n'roll by everybody and anyone that thinks they didn't get value for money is kidding themselves. We played ‘Stoneage Romeos’ exactly as we said we would which in itself was a unique thing. In no way was this a "regular" Hoodoo Gurus gig and we always knew that we couldn't play many of our other songs because ‘Stoneage’ was the principal focus of these shows.
I'm sorry that we disappointed some of you (maybe many of you) but it was certainly not our intention however I do think we played a good show even if it wasn't as long as you would have liked.
Highlights from the Melbourne leg of Dig It Up! included:
– The Lovetones performing songs from an upcoming “greatest tits” in the Attic Bar, complete with psychedelic 12-string wig-outs and some seamless instrument-swapping from bassist-keyboardist Matthew Sigley. Belles Will Ring’s Liam Judson guested on guitar.
– Dream Syndicate singer and Paisley Underground spearhead Steve Wynn, who inadvertently created a fire hazard by packing out every last inch of the Attic, including the staircase. Wynn enthralled devotees with cuts from 1982 debut The Days of Wine and Roses, including classics 'That's What You Always Say' and ‘Tell Me When It’s Over’, which prompted a huge response from the crowd. Wynn's pick-up band included The Fleshtones’ Keith Streng.
– The evergreen Redd Kross, whose hyperactive drummer Roy McDonald (no relation to brothers Steve and Jeff) entertained us between songs with relentless stick-twirling and Keith Moon faces. If the one-two-three punch of ‘Pretty Please Me’, ‘Jimmy’s Fantasy’ and ‘Lady In The Front Row’ weren’t enough, they played ‘Linda Blair’ from Born Innocent; a song from a forthcoming new album that more than stacked up to the rest of the material; and finished with ‘Crazy World’, which sparked an audience sing-a-long. Someone outside described it as an “out of body experience”. (As an aside: where in the world was guitarist Robert Hecker? His replacement though, was more than adequate.)
– Despite looking “fairly grumpy” at Sydney Dig It Up! and putting in a frustrating performance at Altamont The Gasometer earlier this month, Royal Headache’s Shogun was in fine form and full voice up in the Attic Bar. He ripped his shirt off towards the end of the set and cut no less than two songs short: ‘Surprise’, which he said was being played too slow, and an inspired cover of ‘Teardrops’ by Womack & Womack, which barely even got out of the gates. Jeff McDonald from Redd Kross looked impressed.
Dig It Up! concludes with a sold-out show in The Hoodoo Gurus’ native Perth this Saturday (April 28).
(Photo by Chris Turner)
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Exhibit A on why encores are anachronistic, embarrassing and silly. Plan a fucking set and play it.
What's the world coming to when not playing a second encore is cutting a set short?
Jesus H. Christ.
sad days when 80 minutes isn't enough of a night cap for what was effectively a SEVEN HOUR GIG.
^^
be a woman is such a good song. i wish there was a version of the film clip on the web?
we undressed and were towelling down
You're a band, not a sports team.
So they essentially played 3 songs less than Sydney? That's not really short changing anyone is it? I assume people have been whining online and via social media prompting Dave's response? Sheesh.
It was more like EIGHT AND A HALF (2-10:30).
I don't mind an encore, but a second one? By that point in the night, I'm usually waiting for the house lights and music to come on so I can get the fuck out. 80 minutes isn't really cutting it short - it's a fair while to watch a single band, especially with 4 minute songs.
Australian crowds in general are pretty hard to read. Most gigs, everyone is still and poker-faced and reverential then they clap & cheer madly between songs. Perplexing. Gigs in U.S, Europe are so much looser and funner!
Dave Faulkner Misreads Seemingly Apathetic Melbourne Coolsies
i saw brad shepherd step out of the shower in his undies towel drying his hair after the show, this is entirely what happened
i am soooooooo disappointed they didn't play miss freelove 69
Encores suck, I've always had enough by the end of a 60 minute set no matter who the band is. Radiohead did 4 at coachella despite there being mininimal applause after no. 2. Massive wank
fuck an encore. I always leave before the encores...so pointless.
unless the band needs to take a piss - that's a different story.
i know people who strangely made their entrance to the day very late in the day ! i had my first beer at 1pm & obviously saw bands from 2pm - i thought their set was perfect length considering it was a mini festival & not a standard gig!
i had a prior engagement with a nailbiter football match that i was never ever going to miss, very unfortunate, but I was stoked with what i was able to catch, in particular died pretty, the sonics and hoodoos, i was less impressed by redd kross than everyone else i have spoken to. going to try and see steve wynn and the fleshtones on friday at yah yahs.
if you curate a big day & bring in overseas bands who people may have not seen before or not for a long time then i think those bands are going to get rave reactions from the crowd who may subconciously take the aussie headliners for granted a bit and perhaps may not ''go off'' in the say way reaction wise. Especially at the end of a big day. I guess you can't get to precious about it
I've heard the opposite from Falco (mclusky/FOTL) who commented that Aussie audiences get into it way more than anywhere else. Guess it depends on the band and who their audience is.
I've actually heard from several rock stars that the audiences I'm in are the best in the world.
Often, we've been ''great''.
this. all the gigs i went to when i was overseas were ridiculously subdued.
What, pray tell, is the appropriate way to 'get into it'? God forbid if people just stand there listening to and appreciating the music.
people sitting on the floor, looking bored as shit, funkenstein.
you know dave has a point though, from my vantage front and far right of stage, we were two of the very few visibly digging the show as i looked across the front of stage. the set they did play was a cracker but the lack of enthusiasm from the crowd was quite perplexing and surprising
i reckon people were out on their feet to be honest! tiring day!
Rocking out at a rock show is like smoking a joint and passing out to Sigur Ros.
encores are killing live music
Encores are for Michael Franti.
I don't like the notion that if you're not dancing wildly you're not ''getting into it''. I ''get into it'' through my ears. My brain is dancing. I might even tap my foot or nod my head.
Just don't nod your head too close to me, some of us are trying to just appreciate the music and dont want to get knocked around.
I reckon Dave was preserving his voice more than anything, and references to a chest infection kinda confirm this.
It's not the first time he's cut short a set when he felt his voice giving way, and I don't blame him; it is his livelihood after all. Given this history, it would be good if they rehearsed up 3-4 Brad songs each tour for moments like this. Even a Monarchs song (God knows there's not much chance of hearing them live otherwise), which would've fitted in with the Persian Rugs and Victims numbers last night.
But I agree with the sentiments of others here. The set length was generous as it was, and encores, in the main, are bogus. Add to this the fact that the set lengths for all the other acts were a good 15-20 min longer than most festival sets, you'd have to be a Scotsman to think the event wasn't value for money.
rock music is killing rock music
Hat's off to the Hoodoo Gurus for pulling the plug because they didn't think the crowd was into it.
Why does every gig have to have the obligatory 2 encores? If the band were having a bad night, someone was sick or the crowd didn't care then fair enough cut it short.
The most memorable encores I've ever seen are by small bands in small venues who at the end of their set have gotten the call for more form the assembled crowd only to realise that they've played their entire catalogue of songs. As a result you get a quick single song encore of a song they played earlier in the evening to a really appreciative (even if somewhat small) crowd.
An encore should be a part of the performance which is earned by both the performer (for playing a great show) and the crowd (for participating and showing their appreciation) and not just an expected part of the format.
facials are ruining sex\porn
If the advertised set time had been a hour, it would be even more of a non issue than it actually is. 90 minutes did seem a long time for a single album plus some tracks. An hour would've done it, and the encore (whether 1 or 2) would've felt enough and appreciated and no one would be upset.
i think the point is that they played one album in full and then a couple of extra songs.
many of these sort of shows (such as the wedding present - seamonsters recently, and sonic youth's don't look back show) feature the album in full and then a scheduled greatest hits set. we didn't get the greatest hits. hence the apology. no biggie.
They should apologise for apologising.
maybe dave didn't get the memo, but this is how people in melbourne appreciate gigs.
hahahaha so true Jose
I guess the signs up everywhere saying they were playing til 11 caused a bit of surprise when the house lights came on at 20 to (after a ''teaser'' will-they-won't -they'' interval).
I heard, straight after the gig (before there was time to devise a press release) from someone in one of the other bands that it was Dave's throat that cut it short, and that sounded entirely plausible. (A song or two with Brad on vox could have been snuck in as an emergency measure as suggested, but as it was it was a good set from the band.
FUCKING DIED PRETTY! Loved that set... was great seeing Ron enjoying himself and giving a fantastic performance.
The Sonics and Red Kross killed it too!
Steve Wynn and Beaches upstairs FTW.
Hoodoos were great but the missing encore was a letdown... considering it was THEIR party n' all it felt odd.
5.6.7.8's sadly disappointing due to a mix that lost all their power n' made em sound lifeless.
All-in-all a fun day and totally worth it.
NO MEMOS WERE RECEIVED
I concur. And apologise for it.
I loved every second of the Gurus, and everybody around me was getting into it. To be fair though, the real energy was in the Attic. Big stages kinda suck, because the sound and 'vibe' will never be the same as a band in the corner of a smelly pub, which is what I (rightly or wrongly) associate 'Soneage Romeos' with.
'Television Addict' was fucking awesome, and plenty of an encore for me. It would have probably diminished the impact if they'd then come back to play some of their mainstream hits.
Redd Kross were totally awesome.
Having been to both Brisbane and Sydney gigs as well, I can confirm that the Melbourne crowd did seem to be much 'flatter' than those previous shows. I can understand the band's confusion, although I was made to feel pretty silly by announcing to my Melb peeps that I expected multiple encores and certain songs to be played !
hahahahaha HAHAHAHAHA
encore!
I remember i had a gig at oxford art factory in the gallery bar and the hoodoo gurus were playing the mainstage (the two rooms are divided by a wall and double glazed glass for those that don't know). anyway we were due to play at around 9 oclock or so, but as we were about to go on the gurus decided that they didn't want anyone else in the building playing while they did, for various reasons cough egos...anyway we didn't get to play until they finished their set, not sure how many encores they did but it wasn't til about 11 or so. Pretty funny/annoying.
never forget these immortal words: ''IT'S MY PARTY, AND I'LL CRY IF I WANT TO''
The Sonics didn't have any trouble doing a second encore at the Caravan in their show.
That's cause it was fuckin' amazing.