Written for OzMusicProject
@ Hopetoun: A few months ago I hopped on over to the Annandale to check out the Bumblebeez and was instead greeted by a grown man in tiny white shorts and a pink polo shirt. The man was shouting into a microphone and gesticulating wildly. No, another member of Sydney’s mentally ill hadn’t hijacked the stage, this was Spod: the (self proclaimed) raddest band in world. During this gig, SPOD or Scorpion Powers of Domination proceeded to hand out roses to various female members of the crowd, myself included, and when there’s bribery like that involved journalistic integrity has the habit of going out the window, but more on them later.
First up in the packed Hopetoun hotel was Sekiden, whose 80s bubble gum pop-rock has taken the band from its Brisbane roots, all over Australia and as far as the US and Canada. The trio managed to land themselves in two emerging trends: the dumping of bass players and the introduction of the synthesized keyboards, both of which work to their advantage. From their opening number Sekiden explode in your face like a brightly coloured cracker. You’re willing to overlook the aural assault as you ride their wave of infectious enthusiasm that seems to radiate from their performances. If these kids were any more animated you’d swear they’d pop right off the stage, and you’d probably be happy to throw yourself across the room with them. There are touches of inventiveness from Seja (vocals/keyboard), brother Mirko (drums) and Simon (guitar/vocals). In particular was their last track where we see the band take some risks by exploring the full dynamics which an intense and integrated three-piece can produce. Written by Seja, it’s a tantalising hint of all the great things this band will produce.
Launching the single ‘LET’Z DANCE!!!’, front man Lord Redfive, Scorpion of Sexxx, is part glam rock star and part gangsta rapper. This time round the man came decked out with a stage set – giant, pink, glitter blocks spelling S-P-O-D as well as a makeshift catwalk -, guitarist ‘the Kid’ and his ever present Lyra miniskirt teamed with legwarmer-wearing Scorpion dancers. Again the pink polo shirt had a showing, as well as a pair of tiny black satin shorts after the rip-off tracksuit pants were discarded. In 2003 we seemed to have found ourselves squarely in the 80s when it comes to both fashion and music, so Spod acts as a great reminder of all that was trashy and sleazy and fun of this decade. In its essence it is a man rapping/singing over electro-rock/dance backing played from a CD player, but somehow manages to be the more fun than an Olivia Newton John sponsored dance-a-thon.
With Let’z Dance having high rotation on triple j, as well as my personal favourite ’2131′ being featured on the test broadcast of highly anticipated new Sydney station FBI, Spod’s popularity has taken a quick rise in the last few months. While his catchy songs are undoubtedly radio-worthy and electroclash being the fad word of the moment, Spod works best live. The on stage antics (from throwing out handfuls of glitter to guzzling champagne), the dance moves which could challenge Travolta any day of the week and the stare which could bring a thousand girls to their knees – Spod’s on stage charisma is undeniable. Sure, most of its send-up, but he never makes that obvious, never slips from his stage persona, so we’re able to gladly bask in his self-induced rock-star glow. It can no longer be denied: Spod iz God.
