The Moa (open-air) at Gluttony, Sat 27 Feb.

“He’s joined that stupid club,” Kurt Cobain’s mother is believed to have said on the news of her sons passing death in 1994. ‘The ‘club’ is a mythical clique of rockers who all died before their 28th Birthday: Jimi, Janis, Morrison, Cobain, Winehouse and blues legend Robert Johnson (to name but a few). Despite its prestigious membership, it’s a pretty rubbish club to be a member of. It is however a terrific framing device to collect a bunch much loved songs, by much loved artists, and kick out the jams on a sunny Fringe afternoon.

The in-house band The Wanderers with guitarist and vocalist Dusty Lee Stephenson are ferocious and loud from the get go, but is the selection of three of the finest rock voices in country that seals the deal. Kevin Mitchell (aka Bob Evans/Jebediah), Sarah McLeod (The Superjesus) and fellow Adelaide powerhouse Carla Lippis rip the up every single song. Kevin belts out Hendrix’s Purple Haze, Carla smashes Amy’s Rehab, Sarah belts out Cry Baby with all the power and pain of the Joplin original. It’s electrifying and we are only three songs in!

There is a narrative of sorts talking about the stories behind the tragic club members, and the on-stage ‘green room’ where the singers hang when it’s not their turn on the mic is a nice touch.
For the next hour this astounding band and these amazing voices deliver powerful takes on classic songs by The Doors, Jimi, Janis, Nirvana and Amy Winehouse.

Highlights are many. Mitchell doing a stunning acoustic version of Winehouse’s You Know I’m No Good, Lippis turns Nirvana’s Lithium into a smouldering torch song and McLeod’s high octane rendition of Mercedes Benz is smoking hot! And when they all sing together (Break On Through, Me & Bobby McGee, Another Piece Of My Heart) they would have torn the roof off The Moa, if indeed, the open air venue had one!