Radio Free Alice @ Corner Hotel Melbourne (19.02.24)

June 26, 2024 Luca Varlamos Indie Rock

I’d heard about this band a few times in the past year or two but didn’t really catch my fancy until I stumbled across them supporting at a show at the Corner Hotel Melbourne in early 2024. Their EP also came out soon before that and while it’s a very small taste it shows some promise and ability. Their influences are obvious – which isn’t necessarily a bad thing – but live there are clear nods to Interpol and The Strokes. From the synchronized guitar parts and catchy riffs to bringing back shirts with a tie, there’s a real ode to 2000s indie guitar music and aesthetics here.

The singer brings serious energy and while young Julian Casablancas was effortlessly cool but intense, this frontman has to try a little harder. That’s ok though, he pulls it off through sheer energy and passion. There’s a more punk vibe on a few songs, a nice cover of Gang of 4 at the recent gig, some songs I thought were greatly indebted to The Cure, and Joy Division odes for a cool band and live show. Definitely not a bad thing to sound like a lot of these bands, especially given the sheer volume of average ‘indie’ music from boybands these days.

It’s not quite The Modern Age EP but it’s not bad and the EP has some really solid moments. The opening two tracks are great, the vocals really cut through the tight guitars and smooth synth lines. It sounded like the back catalogue they played live had a bit more of an edgy post-punk sound to it as opposed to more indie stuff on the EP. I think the stuff live sounded better as sometimes indie can sound.. pretty generic. Nonetheless, an encouraging debut release and an apparent UK tour this year – where I reckon they’ll be better received even! Keen to see where these guys can get to, hopefully, a full-length on the way with some more encouraging songs.