By DONNA BALANCIA
Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever is re-importing new wave music to the U.S. much to the fans’ delight.
Call the Aussies’ music “new wave,” “power pop,” “alternative,” or whatever you may, Rolling Blackouts CF played colorful, upbeat and innovative tunes at The Echo last night and got the fans to their collective feet.
This young band from down under in Melbourne kept the house dancing to new and well-played punkish pop tunes. The guys — Tom, Fran, Joe W., Joe R. and Marcel — are wrapping up a U.S. tour that has re-introduced 1980s-style new wave to a young audience. They head back to their continent after their last stop in Seattle.
It was a fortunate happenstance that we got to see this great band. The music of Rolling Blackouts CF sounds like a casual and cruisin’ 1980s party, with a driving beat and lingering guitar. The vocals are right on the money and Rolling Blackouts CF takes a page out of the book of some of the great bands from the 1980s new wave genre. But don’t take the calm demeanor of these road-weary performers for granted. They’re playing understated songs that are quite intricate, with new sounds, riffs and unusual patterns.
We’re partial to these guys, they’re going places, and we hope they come back soon. Other bands can take a lesson from Rolling Blackouts CF’s positive attitude, their obvious enjoyment of playing together, and their interesting and well-produced music.
Opener Moaning impressed the crowd with its similar alternative style and it’s easy to see that the guys put a lot of energy into their work. If the opportunity arises to see this band, Moaning should not be missed.
RBCF Setlist:
