I was secretly happy when a second Melbourne show was announced by Hungry Kids of Hungary at the Northcote Social Club. I always love to see bands at more intimate venues, so Mary and I took advantage of this opportunity and bought tickets for last night's show. After catching up over dinner we headed into the bandroom for the first act of the night, indie rock band Lurch & Chief. Next up was Split Seconds, who we saw open for Oh Mercy last year. They played a great set and the lead singer had funny stories to tell to explain the origins of their songs. They did a cover of Paul Kelly's "Little Decisions" and mixed in a bit of Edwyn Collins' "A Girl Like You" during their final song.
Hungry Kids of Hungary opened the evening with "Litter and Sand" and played songs spanning all of their releases, including the rarely played "One By One" and "Old Money" from their first two EPs. The harmonies from the boys were soaring as always, and the front of the crowd was dancing and singing along to favorites such as "Wristwatch," "Let Me Down," "Scattered Diamonds," "Sharp Shooter," and "Twin Cities." The band were so humble and appreciative of the Melbourne audience that continues to support them and would come out to see them on a weeknight. They stayed on stage instead of going off and back on for an encore, and finished the night with a cover of Fleetwood Mac's "The Chain." If you haven't bought their latest release You're A Shadow yet you need to get it- it's a fantastic album.
Here's the video for the latest single "Do Or Die," which was shot in Scotland:
Last night I met up with Mary at the Corner Hotel to see Hungry Kids Of Hungary play to a sold out crowd on the last date of their You're A Shadow tour. The first act of the night was Melbourne indie pop band Them Swoops. I was very surprised to discover my friend Satoshi playing guitar and keys with them. Next up was Sydney band The Preatures, who I thought were pretty good with their atmospheric and soulful songs.
Hungry Kids Of Hungary came out to a very eager crowd and started their set with "What In The World" before launching into "Sharp Shooter." It was great to hear the majority of tracks off their excellent second album You're A Shadow, including my favorites "Do Or Die," "Twin Cities," "Litter and Sand," and the absolute highlight of the night, "When Yesterday's Gone." We were also treated to some classic Hungry Kids songs like "Set It Right," "Scattered Diamonds," and "Wristwatch." They finished the main set with an epic version of "Coming Around" and for the encore did their Triple J Like A Version cover of Tame Impala's "Feels Like We Only Go Backwards" before inviting all the support acts on stage to close the night with an energetic "Let You Down." I always love seeing Hungry Kids play live and their harmonies and musicianship were once again on point.
Here's "When Yesterday's Gone" live from when they were on Triple J a couple weeks ago:
I was very excited when I learned that Hungry Kids of Hungary were going to be playing a free show as part of the Fed Square Live summer series. I recruited some people from work to come along, but our visions of a nice summer evening out quickly vanished around 5pm when the rain started coming down quite heavily. However, we did not let that deter us and headed down to Fed Square, arriving a bit after Asta started her set. From Tasmania and the winner of the 2012 Triple J Unearthed High competition, you wouldn't think she was only a teenager. Joined by a guy who played samples and beats, she sang a good set of ambient music that had people moving in the crowd.
Unfortunately the pouring rain started up again just as Hungry Kids of Hungary took the stage. Mary, who arrived in between acts, was smart and stood under the tent where the sound board was while I braved the rain with my umbrella. The boys opened with their current single "Twin Cities" and managed to play for nearly a half hour before they had to stop due to the weather. We were treated to some new songs off the upcoming album You're A Shadow as well as old favorites "Wristwatch," "Coming Around" and "Let You Down," which was the last song of their set. I was absolutely soaking wet by the end of it but still had a fun time. I'm sure we will be treated to an indoor gig when they tour for the release of their new album.
Last night was Cup Eve so Mary and I celebrated by going to see Hungry Kids of Hungary at the Northcote Social Club. We got into the band room in time to see the second act of the evening, Brisbane three piece Gung Ho. They had a sort of punk/surf band sound, and played their own songs as well as a cover of Friends' "I'm His Girl."
It's been about a year and half since we last saw Hungry Kids of Hungary play live. They started their set with "The Vacationer" and played a mix of old songs and new ones from their upcoming album. It was great to hear "Coming Around," "Wristwatch," "Scattered Diamonds," and "Eat Your Heart Out" from Escapades, as well as "Old Money" and "One By One" from their EPs.
The new songs sounded absolutely amazing on first listen, including current single "Sharp Shooter" and the soon to be released "Twin Cities." I cannot wait for this album to come out next year! They finished the main set with "Let You Down" and for the encore played "Set It Right" and finished with a cover of the Talking Heads' "Road To Nowhere." This may end up being my gig of the year- lots of fun, dancing, good energy and those fabulous vocal harmonies.
Here's the video for their current single "Sharp Shooter"
After surviving moving yesterday afternoon and getting some unpacking done, I headed out for the evening to meet up with Mary at the Hi-Fi Bar to see Hungry Kids of Hungary. When I arrived Andy Bull was nearing the end of his set. I would have been there earlier if I knew he was going to be second on the bill. The next band was The Chemist, who played a solid set. I recognized some of their songs from when I saw them play last year. Highlights included "Lullaby #1," End of July," "Things Have Changed" and the very rock ending to their set which included an extended jam that kept going and going.
Hungry Kids of Hungary entered the stage to death metal, which was quite funny. They bravely started their set with a new song before launching into "Scattered Diamonds." It was great to hear some of my favorites off Escapades including "China Will Wait," "Wristwatch," and "Coming Around." Besides another new song, we were also treated to "Last Waltz," a song they did with Andy Bull. As a side note, I think Dean and Andy had a little inside joke going on with their matching rolled up pants and boat shoes. The last song of the main set was an energetic "Let You Down." As is tradition, the encore began with a cover- this time it was Smashing Pumpkins' "1979." The final song of the night was their first big single "Set It Right." After this tour finishes the boys will disappear for a while to start working on material for their next album. I'm glad they have had so much success with Escapades and are really building up a following in Australia.
I flew into Sydney yesterday afternoon and took the train into the city to meet up with Mel. We walked back to her lovely art deco apartment building in Potts Point/Kings Cross so I could drop off my bag and have a quick change before heading back out. After meeting up with a friend of hers we headed to The Factory Theatre in Marrickville to see Hungry Kids of Hungary. The venue was interesting with this outdoor lounging area before you head upstairs into the bandroom. Since this was an all ages show, the front of stage area was dominated by some very enthusiastic teenagers, while those of us over 18 were in a raised bar area in the other half of the room.
When we arrived we caught the second half of the set for fellow Brisbane band Ball Park Music. They are a very young six piece with a heap of energy. I found them quite entertaining and their single "iFly" was a big hit with the crowd. The lead singer even did some crowd surfing during the song. Next up was Melbourne two piece Big Scary, who I saw earlier in the year opening for Little Red. I enjoyed their set, which was primarily their heavier songs on guitar and drums including "The Apple Song" and "Tuesday Is Rent Day." On the heavier numbers they still remind me of The White Stripes. They did also play two of their quieter songs on piano and drums in the set- "Autumn" and "Falling Away."
Hungry Kids of Hungary came out to big cheers from the nearly sold out crowd, starting with "The Vacationer" and then launching into "Wristwatch." On this tour for their debut album Escapades they have added another guitarist to the band to fill out the sound. I thought the band had great energy on stage and fed off the crowd's enthusiasm. "Let You Down" and "Scattered Diamonds" got a huge response. I was also really happy to hear "China Will Wait," "Set It Right," and old favorites "Arrest This Heart" and "Old "Money." They closed the main set with current single "Coming Around" and then for the encore brought out both opening bands to do a cover of Weezer's "Buddy Holly" and finished with "Two Stones." It was probably one of the best shows I have seen them do.
Last night Tash, Mary and I met up at the East Brunswick Club for Hungry Kids of Hungary's Shady Haze of Winter tour. After eating dinner in the bar we headed for the bandroom to catch the first act, Auckland's Artisan Guns, who were good. Next up was Sydney band The Holidays, who Tash and I last saw a couple years ago. They entered the stage to Berlin's "Take My Breath Away" complete with lights flashing along to the beat (quite funny). Their set consisted entirely of new songs off their upcoming debut album Post Paradise, which I thought was a brave choice. The standout track for me was "6am."
Hungry Kids of Hungary hit the stage to big cheers from the crowd. They opened the night with "Set It Right." This was their first sold out show in Melbourne, which was exciting. The set list consisted of a few new songs, but was mostly all of their released material. "Wristwatch," "Scattered Diamonds" and "Let You Down" had the audience singing along and it was also good to hear some rarely played songs such as "Arrest This Heart" and "One By One." The encore saw an invasion of about 20 members of the crowd onto the stage for "Lenny" and "Good Times." It was another fun show by the Hungry Kids, and I can't wait for the release of their debut album Escapades on October 1st.
Here's the video for their latest single "Wristwatch"
Tonight Clinton, Kevin and I met up at The East Brunswick Club to see Hungry Kids of Hungary return to Melbourne on their "Air Sick" tour. The first band I saw for the evening was Boy & Bear from Sydney. I was really impressed by them and their harmonies and folk sounding music, which is a bit similar to Fleet Foxes. They are definitely a band to watch. Next up was Ernest Ellis, also from Sydney, who had a few songs that sounded good, but overall their set didn't really grab my attention.
Hungry Kids of Hungary came out to the nearly sold out venue and opened with their latest single "Let You Down." They then launched into a couple new songs that they've just recorded for their new album. The set list was a mix of old and new material. As always it was good to hear "Set It Right," "Lenny," and "Old Money." For "Scattered Diamonds" the members of Boy & Bear came up to play percussion and sing along. They ended the set with "Good Times" and then for an encore did a cover of M.I.A.'s "Paper Planes." It was great to see them play once again and enjoy those harmonies and wonderful power pop songs. The new material sounds good, so I'm looking forward to a full length debut album.
Last night Tash and I headed over to The East Brunswick Club for the last show of Hungry Kids of Hungary's Let You Down Easy tour. The first band on for the evening was Alpine (formerly named Swiss), who had two female lead singers and played a kind of electro/guitar mix of music. The girls had decorative glitter on their faces and would both sing the lyrics at the same time. They are probably a fairly new band, but have potential.
Next up was one of my favorite local bands The Frowning Clouds. It was so good to see these Geelong lads again in their 60s mod clothes (the guitarist even had a burgundy cape on for the first song). Zak and Nick split vocal duties throughout the set. My favorites were "Lovin' You," "Time Wastin' Woman," "Tiger Heart" and "That Kinda Girl." By the end of their set there were a group of people dancing at the front of the stage.
Hungry Kids of Hungary then took to the darkened, smoky stage which had balloons tied around the drum riser. The set was a mix of old songs and new ones they are working on for their upcoming album. Highlights for me were "Set It Right," "Two Stones," "Scattered Diamonds," "Old Money," and the new single "Let You Down." The harmonies were on fire all evening and they did a good job dealing with portions of the crowd that both Tash and I felt were completely obnoxious at times. The surprise song of the night was a cover of M.I.A.'s "Paper Planes" which had a bunch of people up on the stage dancing with the band. They came back out for a quick one song encore of "Good Times" and then the show was over.
Continuing on for a second night of bands from Brisbane, Tash and I headed to The Tote in Collingwood last night to see Hungry Kids Of Hungary and The Boat People. Strangely enough, this was the first time I have ever set foot in this legendary Melbourne venue. There were supposed to be four bands on the bill, but when we arrived we saw the list only had three, which meant we had mistimed our arrival and therefore the start of Hungry Kids Of Hungary's set. I'm still disappointed about that. However, they were as fantastic as I was expecting them to be. We got to hear the new single "Old Money," which is up there as song of the year for me right now. They also played "Scattered Diamonds," "Set It Right," "Tell Me Twice," and "Lenny" as well as some new songs they are recording for an album. I adore their power pop songs and harmonies and look forward to seeing them live again in the future.
The Boat People also played a good set. I wasn't as familiar with their songs, but for some reason I still can't figure out, I do know a song off their first album called "Unsettle My Heart." They played songs from their two albums and some new material as well. "Awkward Orchid Orchard" got a good response from the crowd and two of the Hungry Kids came on stage for their final song of the night "Born In The 80s."
