Elba Lane - Gig Review & Photo Gallery 24th May @ Vinnies Dive, Southport QLD
Elba LaneVinnies Dive, Southport QLDMay 24th, 2019Supports: Dirty Hearts and Baltimore Gun Club
Gold Coasters have taken a bit of a hit to our beloved music scene and venues over the last 12 months. With the closure of venues and cessation of live music at others, we thought we would check our latest addition to the Gold Coast music scene - Vinnies Dive Bar.
Literally a funky little hole in the wall I'll admit we almost walked past it (although how we missed the huge bright neon sign above the door I don't know!). Opening up you find yourself in a small vestibule, it felt a little akin to stumbling down Alice's Rabbit Hole. Pushing through the second door you stumble out into what I am going to call the Stage Room. To the left, a huge doorway takes you into the bar area, where the walls are covered by so many tour posters I lost count. A huge old school brick wall separates the two rooms, complete with wrought iron jail windows. It is not a huge venue, but allows the artist a close up, more personal or intimate performance and interaction with their crowd. All in all, a very well thought out venue with a bit of an old time feel.
Each week they serve up a tasty plethora of South East Queensland rock, grunge, indie, heavy and all things heavy and good. With bands up their sleeve like Darkcell, Pagan, Zebrahead, Death By Stereo, South East Desert Metal, Guttermouth, Being Jane Lane, this pretty damn awesome venue is quickly putting itself on the map. On the Vinnies Dive Bar Dive menu Friday night we had Baltimore Gun Club and Dirty Hearts with Elba Lane for the last leg in their album launch tour for their second album Destinations.
First up was Baltimore Gun Club. Winners of the 2018 people's choice at the Gold Coast music awards and a recent UK tour, this self-confessed groner (grunge stoner it seems) trio seem to be popping up everywhere on the Coast at the moment and it's easy to see why. The highlight for me was bass player Hyrma whipping out the harmonica and doing a damn good job of it. I'll admit at first I was sceptical however the fusion of harmonica and heavy music totally rocked.
Second on the menu were Brisbane rockers Dirty Hearts. I’ll confess, it is not the band I had in my head I was going to see, but damn was I impressed. An indie rock fusion with a splash of 90’s Aussie with a dash of British 70’s rock these guys really nailed it. Signed with Near Enough Records and having toured with You Am I and DZ Deathrays, these guys have definitely worth checking out if you can.
Now, for the stars of the show, Elba Lane! A Brisbane/Gold Coast based alternative rock band – think Nirvana, Foo Fighters – even a little early Screaming Jets. These guys showed us what they’ve got on the last leg of their album release tour Destinations. Bassist Kris Griffin rocked it out so hard he lost his bass strap and making an epic save not missing a beat or a string. On the drums Dom Shelley absolutely smashed those drums so hard I thought at one stage they might go flying. I love it when bands take the time to explain a song or what it means, with vocalist and lead guitarist Mitch Smith taking us through each one, some a little softer, some a little heavier. The crowd loved it with calls for an encore at the end of the boys set. They obliged and we were treated to brand new song called 'Above and Below'.
The best way to #supportlivemusic is to get out there and get amongst it. Once a week, once a month! Do it! Support your musician mates. Support the Open Mic Nights, the Friday and Saturday night bands. There are so many amazing bands both based on the Coast or with members on the Coast that are worth seeing. You never realize what gem you might find. With the loss of so many music venues lets support this great venue so get out, check out your local and see a live show!
Gig review & Photo Gallery by Bec O’Reilly. Find Bec on Facebook and Instagram.
Please credit Wall of Sound and Bec O’Reilly if you repost.
Baltimore Gun Club
Dirty Hearts
Elba Lane
