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Tartan
Heart Ska Nite Klub October 2001
Bagster,
Oiska and Backy Skank
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With
this months Tartan Heart Ska Klub only a week away from my HSC, I was
considering giving it a miss and studying, but with Melbourne band Oiska
playing and the chance to see Backy Skank play for the first time
it wasn't hard to decide to make the trek from Wollongong to Sydney with
Kate, Val the Greek and Jemima, yet again.
 We
get to the hotel rather early, which is not recommended with limited funds
for beer. Still, a few familiar faces allow for some conversation as we
wait for the majority of Bagster to arrive. With Tommy D the only
member there it looked like a late start so a couple of beers were consumed
and I enjoyed the tracks Jem and DJ Bec were spinning. Bagster finally
arrived and after what seemed like ages, they started playing. If you've
seen Sydney young guns Bagster before you'll know they play a set full
of catchy tunes. I remember my friend Kate commented "I've only heard
these songs once before, but I remember all the words." That pretty
much sums Bagster up. They played well that night and were well received.
Dizzybeat photographer/reviewer Val the Greek was visibly nervous, but
then got up and sung a great randition of "Mr. Show" with many
surprised to see that the former drummer could hold a note. The addition
of Tommy D to the band must be commended, he seems to fit Bagster like
a glove.
 After
a short break Melbourne band Oiska were up playing and seeing I'd missed
them when they came to Sydney the year before I was eager to see them
play. I'd heard they'd added more songs with lyrics to their set since
the release of their EP and last tour and this turned out to be correct.
They played some of the songs I did know from the EP and songs such as
Arabian Taxi driver (how appropriate) had the crowd dancing. The new songs
were also very dancable, which is always a positive with me and there
was even a swing influenced song thrown in. Many comments were made following
their set about the excellent musicianship and I'd have to agree. Those
of us from the gong remarked how we hoped we'd see them when we went to
Melbourne in December.
 We
were sitting in the bar when Backy Skank started up, with what I think
was their first song of the night, a cover of the Specials "Nite
Klub". To use a cliche, the best way to decribe Backy Skank is an
oldie but a goodie. Although some of my travelling party were a bit put
off by the age of the majority of the members, it didn't worry me at all.
Some of my favourite ska artists are over 70, so for me age is not a factor.
The stage prescence of both Simon and Pete on vocals is excellent and
the remaining punters, including me, enjoyed dancing to the 2-tone style
that BS play. I definitely look forward to seeing them many times more,
especially as I'll be legal in three weeks. I had only two critcisms.
One was the fact they hardly fitted on the stage and the other was their
tribute to Judge Dread. Any mention of the Judge and my eyes light up,
but it just didn't live up to my expectations.
Overall,
a great night was had by all four of us. I hate the fact we have to leave
15 minutes early to catch the last train home to Wollongong and I would
have liked to have been drunk, but apart from that three great bands and
yet another good time in the big smoke.
Glen Smyth.
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