Gappy Tooth Industries celebrated its 22nd birthday in the community hub of Common Ground on Little Clarendon street last night. And to help celebrate was an eclectic bunch of bands.
First up we had HUX, an Australian singer-songwriter with a smooth Jason Mraz-like style, with guitar skills of a pro and a voice that is smooth as it is husky. If HUX was nervous, he never showed any signs, his confidence blooming and his voice unwavering – this is a singer that loves music for the sake of playing it. With a shout-out to his friends on backing vocals (Adrian and Emily) who created smooth harmonies that were like the vocals of synchronised swimming, reminiscent of Fleetwood Mac or Peter, Paul and Mary. Songs of HUX included ‘Hands on The Wheel’, ‘The World Stops When I’m With You,’ and ‘Closer’ which is from his Album out last year, which is a song that really showed of his range as a singer, and allowed the backing vocals to show off too. A charming band that eased the audience in for the rest of the night.
Next up was a 180 of sound.
The Medicine took the stage by storm, powerfully announcing themselves as the medicine that has the cure because “music is a healing force.” At times the lead vocalists’ voice was drowned out by the force of the rest of the band – every punk band needs a powerful bassist, guitarist and an amazing drummer, but to hear the lyrics more clearly would have helped. The band has been described as indie rap-rock, but the sound is way more traditionally punk than the description suggests. Although, there was one rap song, that really worked, and perhaps their best performance of the set: we need more punk rap!
The lead singer knew how to confidently present a persona on stage and introduced the band, trying to get the audience going, that were still feeling relaxed from HUX’s set. Her big personality did her favours, as she honed back to traditional punk sound, that felt inspired by Hole or The Sex Pistols. Except at times the disharmony that is utilised in the punk genre did often come off as disjointed, the singer and the band feeling too separate. The lead really did give it her all on trying to get the crowd more involved, and even throwing flowers out to the audience in a song about love, adding a much needed theatrical flair for this audience. Her fearlessness is something to be envied, and should be harnessed even more in future performances, especially for her haunting low notes. The rest of the band could use more of this life to create a unity. However, the next star of the show has got to be the drummer – her powerful emotional performances was felt and noted by the audience in Common Ground, as she had her moment to crescendo into a punk rock cacophony.
The Medicine’s new EP is out in July 2025 called Hunger and Decay, and it will be a good addition to the punk genre.
The dream pop band finished the show, as The Bobo, joined by a live band, hypnotised the crowd her her angelic vocals. The emotional is laden in her voice as it transported the room, with fairy-like whispering, as she spoke into the microphone. A sound that could be considered lo-fi, and has all the relaxation of Enya. The atmosphere became more intimate as she pulled us in with the rise of the deep base and drums, mixed in with her vocals. The keyboard serving to create vibes that Aurora or Grimes would be jealous of in this performance. The set included her songs such as ‘Could Have’ (which she declared to be her saddest song) and ‘Nonsense’ (A more upbeat and fun song, that served to show off the drummers skills), while The Bobo sang emotional lyrics about intrusive thoughts and, with a rise and fall in the background, it served to be oddly comforting. A haunting performance as the crowd was transported inside themselves, to feel the thrum of the music, and feel oddly nostalgic as The Bobo sings from the heart. The only issues we can take is that, although she stated one song to be sad, the lilt of her voice lends to a sound that always sounds haunted and sad. At times some songs could not be differentiated from, but lend itself to the consistent aesthetic she is clearly going for.
It really was a night of talent, that was not shy to incorporate different genres on one stage. Happy birthday to Gappy Tooth Industries, indeed!