The Butterfly Effect/Melodessey - The Annandale - 27/8/03

Alex Yamakazi - Wednesday, 27 August 2003 - Print Version

The Annandale was eerily devoid of the normal hipster crowd enjoying their guilty dose of rock (purely for ironic reasons of course!) on Friday night. Perhaps they're used to just swanning into the place and didn't have the tickets to get into Butterfly Effect's sellout gig. Perhaps Butterfly Effect, who seem to be on the cusp of making it big, are just not underground enough for them anymore. Instead the place was packed with a wide and good natured assortment of cheerful punters out to enjoy the night. Goodwill abounded and abounded some more as the night and the drinking progressed.

There was another support act before Melodessy but I got there late because of dramas involved with arranging tickets for everyone. I was drunk, I can't remember who they were. Sorry.

Melodessy seemed to lack cohesion both as a band and in their song writing. Whilst their songs were musically tight they sounded very much like a patchwork collection of their "influences." Weird hyper-midget lead singer just didn't look right against the rest of the band and it was downright disconcerting to hear him switch from his whiney singing style to his Korn-like raps. To their credit they put on a good stage show with lots of exaggerated stomping, jumping and drama. The talent is there, they just need to find an identity for themselves.

The Butterfly Effect came to my attention about 18 months ago when a friend of mine burnt a copy of their debut ep for me (which is often how people used to be introduced to new bands before the dark days of copy protection). Of course now labels like to win the battle but lose the war denying their bands the chance of gaining a wider audience by this highly effective method of viral marketing. I digress. The Butterfly Effect have just released their first album and I was interested to see how they would measure up live. I must say I was impressed. These boys have the looks, talent and the sound to go far. They're heavy but melodic enough to still be able to attract a wide audience. Their sound is huge, invoking a drama thou not a sound, reminiscent of White Zombie or Metallica. Not only that, they put on a great show, pushing limits and sounding even better live than they do recorded. They also know how to work a crowd. I can't wait to see them at a festival where their huge sound and stage show will really be able to shine. If these guys don't make it big there is just no hope for the aussie music industry.

Alex Yamakazi