Freaky Meat - Gig Review: Freaky Meat @ Backbeat, Auckland - 18/05/2019
Wordcore at its finest: Freaky Meat Fugu EP Release Party, Saturday 18th May 2019, Backbeat, Auckland.
I have never regretted going to see a band play live, especially when it’s to celebrate a new release, and one band I consistently make an effort for are local Wordcore masters: Freaky Meat, and the release of their new EP, Fugu, was no exception.
Conveniently, Fugu went live on all digital platforms the day of the show, so there was no excuse not to check it out beforehand. I like to listen before a gig, just like you might enjoy reading a book before you see the movie, it means you get the full experience.
With Fugu, it's four tracks are akin to treating yourself to an audio book of short stories that just so happens to come with an amazingly beautiful, diverse and animated soundtrack at no extra charge.
But Freaky Meat in EP format is just one facet of this incredible beast. Like most bands, the live show is a very different experience and a great chance to explore the musical side in a way I have yet to hear captured on a recording.
In the live sphere, John McNab (guitar), Julian Pettitt (bass) and Rod Redgrave (drums) do not disappoint, this band is tight, impressive, very well-seasoned; the vibe is inspiring and addictive. If you're in a band and want some tips, these guys consistently serve up a live performance masterclass with ease.
Then add front man, Shane Hollands, painting poetic, lyrical landscapes that become the icing on the cake of the genre defying, intricately crafted musical delicacies presented by the band. Intelligent, unafraid, raw, honest, and real, yet polished and experienced; Freaky Meat explore and combine both musical and spoken word elements in quite a unique manner. You’ll discover rocky, jazzy, groovy licks that tumble into darker, intensely satisfying guitar melodies that then craftfully tumble on to the next adventure without batting an eyelid. All while providing the canvas for gruff, gritty observation and, at moments, snapshots of reality. It's just a bit clever.
If you’ve never experienced Auckland’s local live scene – good news! There is life beyond your couch, Spotify playlist, and ability to binge watch the latest TV series. All your favourite artists started where bands like Freaky Meat currently are. Hundreds of bands are working hard to produce new creative, fun experiences to enhance our lives.
But with few Auckland venues left, the time is now. Be brave. Check out the same venue on different nights without knowing what is on. Find a venue you like and make it your local. Stand up the front, ear plugs in and head bang until your neck hurts. Or stand at the back discretely nodding in time to the bits that take your fancy. Your efforts will be appreciated.
And when you find a band you like, stay loyal and support them. Invest in this joy. Buy the CD, wear the t-shirt with pride. Bands appreciate this and in return you will be rewarded – venues will thrive, bands will be inspired, nightlife entertainment restored. And you, as an audience, will have more fun in your life. Try it out. What’s the worst that could happen? The result sounds like a good deal to me.
Freaky Meat’s full discography is available now on iTunes, Apple Music, Spotify and Bandcamp. Freaky Meat would like to thank King Ketchup and the Red Light Runners for playing epic live support at the Fugu release party. Find them on Facebook and all good streaming platforms.
Posted by Superduck 19/05/2019
About Freaky Meat
Their performance will capture you with mesmerizing narratives of life, travels, experiences and people with front man, premiere Auckland beat-poet Shane Hollands, drawing from his most diverse, exciting and personal adventures.
Freaky Meat are seasoned performers in Auckland's live scene, recently joining forces with the likes of Andrew Fagan and The People, Black Sand Diva and The Neo-Kalashnikovs. They have also performed live on Kiwi FM's 31 Bands in a Box, at Auckland University Orientation and featured twice at Titirangi Music Festival and Prana New Year’s Festival, Coromandel.
Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Freaky Meat
Other Reviews By Shade
27 Nov 2023 // by Shade
Whatever came out of the pandemic, it stranded some amazing talent here long enough for them to enrich our musical world. Down into the Lopdell labyrinth, a buzz of age-spanning expectancy waited for two of these: Maggie Cocco and her accompanist for the tour Bonnie Schwarz who would add much more than just ‘sad cello’ to tonight’s epic cycle of piano songs.
Read More...
Eve Kelly @ Jam Factory, Tauranga - 03/03/2023
08 Mar 2023 // by Shade
The ‘Sold Out’ sign is a good sign and it went up several days before Eve Kelly’s first show at The Jam Factory in Tauranga’s Historic Village. Whakatane-based Eve Kelly is a star on-the-rise and she put on a show that left her audience, old and new, elated and begging for more.
Read More...
Banks Arcade - Album Review: Future Lovers
28 Jul 2022 // by Shade
For the last 23 years I've been completely immersed in New Zealand music, soaked through to my inner core. I've been living it, breathing it and drinking it in.
Read More...
Coridian - Single Review: Seed II
21 Oct 2020 // by Shade
There's an implicit line in Rock music between the head-banging craze that makes you want to raid the mosh pit, and the refined preciseness of a subtle yet powerful tune. Very few bands can master both.
Read More...
Arrays - Single Review: No Way Out
13 Oct 2020 // by Shade
Arrays is JP Carroll, a multi-instrumentalist man of many talents, and here we have his new single No Way Out in all its foot-stomping, head-banging and dance-inducing quality.From the very first drop of sound, it's evident that this song is not going to disappoint.
Read More...
Jessy & The Volunteers - Single Review: Time Is Laughing
08 Oct 2020 // by Shade
Some songs stand out more than others, cementing themselves in your mind for days on end. This is one such song.
Read More...
In The Shallows - Single Review: Take It Easy
03 Oct 2020 // by Shade
The opening lyrics set the scene well for this charming little number - "I can't help but wonder is this the only way? Get so caught up in the drama that we forget to play.
Read More...
Coridian - Single Review: Rite of Passage
24 Oct 2019 // by Shade
Home.Adverb - deep; to the heart.
Read More...
Most Viewed Artists
Latest Galleries
NZ Top 10 Singles
- APT.
ROSÉ And Bruno Mars - DIE WITH A SMILE
Lady Gaga And Bruno Mars - BIRDS OF A FEATHER
Billie Eilish - TASTE
Sabrina Carpenter - I LOVE YOU, I'M SORRY
Gracie Abrams - ESPRESSO
Sabrina Carpenter - SAILOR SONG
Gigi Perez - LOSE CONTROL
Teddy Swims - A BAR SONG (TIPSY)
Shaboozey - GOOD LUCK, BABE!
Chappell Roan
More Content on muzic.net.nz
Google Site Search
100% New Zealand Music
All content on this website is copyright to muzic.net.nz and other respective rights holders. Redistribution of any material presented here without permission is prohibited.
Report A Problem
