Hungry Kids Of Hungary

Any punters appetite for pop music would have been satisfied on Friday night with Brisbane band, Hungry Kids of Hungry, in the midst of a national tour. This being the Kids’ second show in Perth with a shining evening at The Newport only the day prior; famished onlookers were treated to a buffet of acts with local group Rainy Day Women opening the smorgasbord. These neighbourhood Fremantle lads are supporting an array of travelling bands at present and it’s easy to see why - they didn’t disappoint the early birds. Single Friends, 2012 WAM Song of the year Sleigh Bed and new song My Poor Mind are all breezy tracks from the young fellas hoping to make the big time.

For those craving a bit more edge, Sydney band The Preatures flaunted their lust driven rock pop numbers mixed with some mo-town grease. Sweet tooth Isabella Manfredi strutted the stage in a tight black leather mini oozing out a Shania Twain ‘I feel like a woman’ confidence, while the other men wore matching leather jackets and white tees. Their sound is a mania of retro love with nasty vintage guitar, organ motivated synth and tom-powered drums. Vocals swapped lead between Gideon Bensen and Manfredi, allowing for variance particularly in saucy blues track Take A Card.

A ravenous horde of people had now gathered for the main men Hungry Kids of Hungary. Opening on What In The World (also the first song from their new album You’re A Shadow) full and beefy drums filled the room with a chime of light keys and levelled out with the balanced pop nasal vocals of Dean McGrath. Thrilling vibes were helped along by choppy guitar of Sharp Shooter; passionate harmonies exhibited in this song and along the set gave the band their ‘60s feel. Similar toned singer Kane Mazlin took the lead with his keys, and played a handful of items. It was a stunning diversion from the album version of the track, and those of us not expecting two different vocalists.

The Vacationer, Set It Right and Wasting Away offered a full sound where bass player Ben Dalton thumped along locking in with drummer Ryan Strathie.

The stage was cleared to the side to focus on Strathie, who let rip a hell of a drum solo. Credit for the fullness of sound goes to Strathie who carries the band and builds every song as required; no wonder word on the street is that he’s a tight player. The solos continued, with Dalton now showing off with a high rapid riff into some Chilli Peppers which resonated through the room and was evident in the resonating of your chest. When Yesterdays Gone, Twin Cities and Let You Down had the inhabitants of the Capitol bouncing to the electric joy along with the beat and sing-alongs like a national anthem.

Lead man McGrath had some entertaining and flamboyant language between songs, claiming the usual greatest show so far speech, declaring the hottest chicks around and the expected polite thanks to the awesome/sexy supports. Their encore also seemed a bit pretentious, not waiting very long to return. Two songs concluded the night with cover Feels Like We Only Go Backwards from the week priors Like A Version spot on Triple J and also Coming Around.

If you missed the joy that Hungry Kids of Hungary brought on this occasion, they will be travelling West again for Groovin’ The Moo next month, for some simple but glorious music fun, hit them up.

Published by Drum Media - Perth.