The Rubens

Jameson whisky, suave white shirts and root blue sounds would sum up a boastful rock candy evening last Friday night. The Capitol nightclub was filled to the brim as punters flocked to see headline act THE RUBENS for a sold out show as a part of their national tour. Off the back of self titled debut album, this band is highly anticipated as one of the most exhilarating live acts to be birthed from our beautiful nation in some time and oh boy – all that hype is absolutely right!

Young budding local support band RAINY DAY WOMEN warmed the crowd with their pop-rock sound. The genuine down to earth boys graced the stage shoeless and bopped away to their Fender led summer like tunes from EP ‘Sleigh Bed.’ Cheeky and candidly enjoying himself front man, Dylan Ollivierre, wore a colossal sombrero for the first few opening numbers, later sharing with the audience that he found it in the clubs lost property. Although a comical antidote, the sombrero wasn’t practical and unfortunately didn’t make it far into the set. So we are here to talk about the music and not the entertaining sombrero, but really, there isn’t that much more to say. Their music is catchy simple easy pop listening with some memorable melodic moments, including new single ‘Runaway’, this band should continue to progress with popularity but aren’t tipped to be groundbreaking band of the year.

Crowned to be a stellar performance from the headlining act, three brothers and a childhood friend strolled onto the stage; the crowd eagerly awaiting to judge the authenticity of the bands highly produced album. Performing as a five piece, each member looked very sharp with matching white collared shirts and swank hair styles. Opening on the lead track from the new album ‘Don’t ever want to be found’, immediately it felt like this throng were seasoned performers and not on their very first national tour. The mass tended to sing along to most songs, proving the fan base of The Rubens diverse and probably helped along by their significant commercial airtime of late.

‘Be Gone’ and ‘Elvis’ brought the cool rock blues pleasing to the palate that The Rubens are known for. Drinking Jameson whisky from the bottle, front man Sam Margin exuded rock n roll with his school boy hair cut as he made love to his microphone like it was a long legged blonde. Fist pumping the air for the ‘oh’ melody in song of the moment ‘My Gun’ Margin draws you in with his deep tones. The robust refrains continued with ‘I’ll surely die’, kudos to Zaac Margin whose heavy guitar seeps into your soul giving you no option but to groove along. ‘Paddy’ had the inhabitants of the gig swaying to the lullaby of Margins guitar while synth God Elliot Margin sustained his tantric state. Tracks from the album continued to stream before the band exited the stage, giving the usual chance for an essential encore.

Roaring with enthusiasm, the encore was welcomed by “Like we weren’t coming back right?” chuckled Sam Margin, “we are supporting the black keys in a few weeks, how cool is that.” The encore launched with ‘Never be the same’ (lead man Margins favourite track), a piano led song which gradually crescendos into utter awesomeness, the crowd clapped along to the muscle drum beat as Margins falsetto soared above the now passionate fans. Before taking a swig of his whisky, Margin exclaimed, “The pedal was fucked, hopefully you still enjoyed it.”

What marked an intriguing show, the band now introduce their closing number ‘Laying it Down’, with three tight hits this song was a grand choice, displaying their top skill and how well they lock in together as a band. What was a perfect way to welcome the weekend, The Rubens, should have no trouble tightening their grasp of the Australian music industry and listeners alike. The Rubens now continue their national tour through Qld, Nsw and Vic for the remainder of October before supporting The Black Keys in New Zealand early November.