SPILL LIVE REVIEW: KLINGER w/ SUPER AMERICAN EAGLE @ SHOTKICKERS, MELBOURNE (AU)

KLINGER w/ SUPER AMERICAN EAGLE

@ SHOTKICKERS, MELBOURNE (AU)

NOVEMBER 3, 2023

The thick feeling of nostalgia filled the air, oozing from Melbourne’s Shotkickers on Friday night. It’s a live music venue lacking arrogance and ego. Old-timer and frequent patron Gary is psyched to see Super American Eagle mentioning Brent DeBoer’s time with The Dandy Warhols, as members of both Klinger and Super American Eagle casually mingle amongst a growing crowd. Off the back of the No Touch Obsession Tour, Klinger is revitalised and regenerated, offering new tracks. Fingers crossed, they sustain this momentum. Tonight will be sick, a most bipolar showcase with two phenomenal acts, distinctively dissimilar, in what can only be described as a roller coaster of emotions.

Opening the night was the gritty psychedelia of Super American Eagle, and they sound exactly as their name suggests: stereotypical rock ‘n’ roll; I’m transfixed. Bob Harrow (guitar, vocals) is hypnotic, never quite capturing a glimpse of his eyes; they unceremoniously roll back into his head, a thick brown mane and single dreadlock covering his face. The combo is smooth; a symbiotic link exists between all three members. Halfway through the set, I’m intrigued by drummer Brent DeBoer. I watch him closely as his jaw clenches and grinds, holding the beat. Then there is bassist Dave Mudie, who is the most chill, having a go at vocals; his voice is soothing. My personal favourite, “Shit’s A Thing”, exhilarating to me, upbeat and frenzied from start to finish. An unexpected cover of the Prodigy’s “Breathe” makes its way to the set list; Keith Flint would be proud. With their debut album launch set on Nov 24, look out! I prefer them live, though, feeling like the only person in the room.

Klinger is the show’s star, the main attraction, the one everyone is waiting for and under pressure, having to follow the Super American Eagle’s psychedelic extravaganza. Klinger doesn’t let anyone down, however. They deliver pop-punk energy with catchy hooks and ’90s vibes. They are fun, lively, and charismatic, and I love them for it! Often referring to their heyday, these fellas have been together since school days, with a substantial break between drinks; they hold their own as part of Australian rock history. With songs like “Twenty” and “Laundromatic”, you can’t help but bop along. Shayne Adam (guitar), Dave Rogers (bass), Darren Vlah (Drums) and Ben Birchall (vocals, guitar) have a unique banter, dropping a few antidotes where required. A nod to Birchall’s sister Belinda and her contribution to “Soldier in a Dress”, as well as the infamous time Ben Lee covered Klinger’s track “Ben Lee”, an absolute piss-take on the musician, confessing the words couldn’t be further from the truth. Releasing two new tracks, “4000” and “The Wrong Way”, is this a comeback story? Who knows, but I hope to see them regularly.

(Photography by Victoria Love-Rainbow)

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