After a year in the US, Closure In Moscow returned to Australia and this show at Bang was their first show back home, how fitting that it would be in their hometown of Melbourne. Taking place at a venue that is better known as an alternative club than a venue, many younger fans were begrudged at Closure’s only Melbourne show being an overage show.
Arriving late, I missed opening band Gatherer and half of Secrets In Scale’s set. But what I did see of Secrets In Scale’s set, I liked. They’re a band worth checking out, and you can find their EP for free on myspace. Secrets In Scale’s myspace informs me that they’re currently working on their debut album with Kris Crummett, who worked with Closure In Moscow on both their EP and debut album. Keep your eyes on these guys. Up next was Madonna, who were a little too metal for me. Every song in their set just sounded like the previous one, and I just didn’t enjoy them. The creepy masks that they donned didn’t help either. But hey, if that’s your thing, then good for you.
Closure’s set was a good mix of songs off their album (“Vanguard,” “Kissing Cousins,” “Sweet#Hart”) as well as a few crowd favourites off the EP (“We Want Guarantees, Not Hunger Pains”). The new songs translated very well into a live setting and the band were very tight, proof that they’d spent all year in America touring. Chris’ stage antics were just as strange and captivating as always. I was skeptical as to whether Manny and Michael would be able to pull off the guitar parts live, but they surprised me and sounded just as good as they do on the album. Drummer, Beau, was as solid as ever and Brad played his bass with ease. The crowd in the front and the middle were going nuts, but everyone else… well, they either didn’t know who Closure were (but some still having fun) or just not impressed. I hate that the crowd is what always makes the gig for me, and this crowd didn’t really impress. There was a heated moment when Chris’ head collided with a bottle or something, and he decided to lash out, saying that the next song was dedicated to everyone but the asshole who threw a bottle at him. This incident seemed to spoil his mood, and he seemed a little irritated for the rest of the set. Perhaps the most exciting part of the night was when Matthew Wright (The Getaway Plan/Young Heretics) joined Closure on stage to sing the female part in “Breathing Underwater.”
Closure finished their set leaving the audience who were there to see them wanting more. A less than 10 song set (I think it was 9 songs) felt a little short. Given the club setting, it made sense why their set was so short, but it makes me wonder why they didn’t consider doing a venue show, which they would have easily sold out.
Up next for Closure In Moscow is a slot on the Soundwave Festival, where fans can also expect a short 30ish minute set. Hopefully these guys decided to do a short headlining tour before they head back to America, which will see them being a part of the Warped Tour in 2010. If you’re going to Warped Tour, I strongly recommend that you go see these guys because they are a great band with great music, a very solid live band, and are always entertaining.
Closure In Moscow’s First Temple out now.
Secrets In Scale’s EP can be downloaded from www.myspace.com/secretsinscale
