Thank God it’s Friday!
To celebrate, this most wonderful of weekdays, a strong crowd made its way into the subterranean depths of the Transit Bar to see the band Saskwatch that are getting so much hype at the moment.
As we enter, Canberra’s Brass Knuckles Brass Band are getting ready to play. The sight of the bandleader in a pale blue safari suit and pork pie hat exudes a Tremé cool, and is a sign everyone present is in for a great night.
If you haven’t had a chance to see this great Canberra band then you need to remedy this immediately. As a nine-piece taking some great influences from New Orleans’ finest brass funk bands (like the Rebirth Brass Band) this band knows how to funk.
The first song came on all funky with macho Cop show Vibes, I felt like Starsky cruising down the Highway in my Ford Grand Torino – the crowd felt the urge to bust a move as the dance floor started to fill and the heat began to rise.
The Brass Knuckles kept the dance floor busy during their whole set, right up until the end when they decided to crank the funk up to eleven and rip into a heavy brass version of Ray Charles’ I Got A Woman, while the tuba player channelled bass legend James Jamerson in laying down the funk to brilliant results.
Finally, it was time for Melbourne outfit Saskwatch to hit the stage – and Transit Bar was full to the rafters. The band (also a nine-piece) has a sound reminiscent of great 60s Motown Soul blended with a touch of the 60s girl-group while managing to keep it fresh and vital. This isn’t retro – this is alive and kicking!
The songs are great, uplifting and full of hooks with a totally infectious groove. If you see Saskwatch and don’t feel the urge to dance, you’d better check your pulse… You’re probably dead!
The band was very tight, with great arrangements and musicianship; the beat driving like an old, trusty engine from Motor City itself. The female singer Nkechi was breathtaking, a funky little mamma with a huge soaring voice, all the best qualities of the great female soul singers. She should immediately be declared a National treasure!
Now that is what I call a great night out – who says Canberra is boring? Hey, it’s got soul!
Gig photos by Brianna Olzen photography
