LIVE REVIEW: MI-SEX + PRICEY @ CROWBAR 31/05/25
Mi-Sex Photo by Sarah Gilpin
Words by Cecilia Pattison-Levi. Photos Sarah Gilpin.Mi-Sex has just toured a sold-out set of gigs around the country celebrating the 45th anniversary of their break-out album ‘Graffiti Crimes’. For the Brisbane show at The Crowbar, Mi-Sex brought along Pricey and his band to help warm up the crowd with some classic Australian pub rock sounds.
This was before Mi-Sex hit the stage and set out to perform both hits from their back catalogue of: ‘Graffiti Crimes’, ‘Space Race’, ‘Shanghaied!’, and ‘Where Do They Go?’ and new songs from ‘Not From Here’. Mi-Sex, as is clearly pointed out during the show, are not a heritage group but a living and evolving rock band. And, what a great end of tour blow-out performance the crowd at The Crowbar got delivered to them!
The New Zealand new wave band Mi-Sex formed in 1977 and was led for much of its existence by the legendary vocalist Steve Gilpin, the talented songwriter and guitarist Kevin Stanton, the distinguished keyboardist and songwriter Murray Burns and bassist Don Martin. Mi-Sex still tour and perform with the only surviving member, the brilliant keyboardist Murray Burns. Time and life have taken its toll to the ferryman. However, Mi-Sex and their legacy of amazing songs and that distinctive sound lives on with Murray Burns as he pays it forward. He is surrounded by the wonderful musicians who preserve and breathe life into Mi-Sex’s music and push it on into the future. Steve Balbi is a remarkable front man on vocals, Jordan McDonald is just so energetic on drums, James Van Cooper is a gun on guitar and the ‘rockstar’ bassist with an amazing rock voice Bobby Poulton is just mesmerizing to watch.
And, as the crowd filtered into The Crowbar on a very wet Saturday night, they knew that they were coming to hear classic Australian, via New Zealand, rock. The evening kicked off with Josh ‘Pricey’ Price known as Pricey and his band with the lovely and talented bassist Rosie, the energetic drummer Toby and fine guitarist Jet.
Pricey and his band delivered a set of music grounded in pub-rock. And, their performance was characterized by its nod to 1980’s sounding pub rock that incorporated more modern elements of pop-punk, power-pop and grunge. I heard the sound described as “Earthy rock” and it fits. Pricey's songs reflect on the Australian experience and offers a unique perspective on life. From songs about the clap, ‘The Game’ to ‘Big Sky’, Pricey’s song writing has a high-energy rock and gritty edge to it.
Pricey Photo by Sarah Gilpin
Pricey’s band played with conviction and genres with 1950’s rock underscoring songs that got the crowd moving. Guitars were played behind the head, the drummer gave his all, the guitarist Jet and the bassist Rosie delivered great vocals when talking over vocal duties to give Pricey a rest. It was great to see the vocal duties spread about, especially when they performed a fantastic pop-punk cover of ‘Numb’.
Pricey and his band delivered an energetic 12 song set and set the crowd up for a night of up of fun. Then, it was time for a quick re-fill of drinks as the stage was made ready for Mi-Sex. Leads were stored safely, the drumkit was realigned, sound levels and lighting was re-checked and the Coopers Ale was put in place next to the water and a can of Red Bull.
Pricey Photo by Sarah Gilpin
I was really looking forward to seeing Mi-Sex again. I have seen them three times in the last two years and they always impress. I loved Mi-Sex as a band growing up with their unique synth-based sound. And, what a history and future the band has with five albums, numerous Top 40 hits and new songs still being made.
As the lights went down, introduction music was played, and the band took their positions on stage: the opening chords of ‘Graffiti Crimes’ played. Steve Balbi took his time dramatically getting onto the stage and into the centre to get things going. His lead-in is quite a performance and is a reminder to the crowd to take the joy in life and live it every day. Murray Burns was enthusiastically presiding over his synthesiser with vim and vigour as he belted out the synth line for the song.
Mi-Sex Photo by Sarah Gilpin
The new generational blood with Bobby Poulton on bass, James Van Cooper on guitars and Jordan McDonald on drums gave the music the energetic and dynamic kick - and the evening was off and running. And, in answer to Steve Balbi’s cry: “Yes. It is so good to be alive” especially when you get to hear ‘Fallin’ In And Out With You’, you get to see the hi-jinks on stage between the musicians on ‘But You Don’t Care’ and then bliss out into memories with the superb ‘Space Race’ – all delivered as an opening slavo!
Then, Mi-Sex delivered a dynamic mid-set of ‘Down The Line’, ‘Living In September’, a new song ‘Apart’ that encompassed the Mi-Sex style but is fresh and very catchy, then the brilliant song ‘Stills’ followed before there was a slight pause with the delivery of ‘Blue Day’. Steve Balbi really took control of the crowd and the emotion as he dedicated the song to missing past members of the rock band and got the crowd to think and remember missing loved ones. As he firmly stated: “Just because people die, their legacy and their music doesn’t have too. Let’s remember them”.
Mi-Sex Photo by Sarah Gilpin
Steve Balbi is an amazing front man who truly mesmerises the audience from the moment he steps foot on the stage. He has a striking and charismatic presence. His engagement with fans, the banter and that use of the microphone to enhance the gig were terrific. As he refuelled on Red Bull, I thought it was like watching the mad hatter as you fall into Alice In Wonderland’s rabbit hole with his theatrical performance. Steve Balbi is the glue between the past and the present, especially, when he led the crowd into another new Mi-Sex song ‘My Sex Your Sex’ which apparently “confused the drummer”.
Mi-Sex’s trippy ride through their great back catalogue of music continued with ‘Castaway’ and then the synth blast and backing vocal from Murray Burns sent out the call that their era defining song ‘Computer Games’ was next up. And, what a joy it is to hear that song with its huge synth and basslines live. Bobby Poulton nailed it!
And, then when you think that should be the peak of the set, Mi-Sex delivered ‘People’ which had the crowd jumping. James Van Cooper performed an amazing guitar solo. And, the amber-fuelled Jordan McDonald’s drumming held everyone together. While, Murray Burns kept them all firmly in his musical sights as he guided the sound and pace with his synthesiser as the encore of ‘Not Such A Bad Boy’. Steve Balbi stated about the need for live music and real experience: “The fuckin planet needs us. I might act like a fuckin’ idiot, but I have a big heart and its about the music” as the band delivered ‘It Only Hurts’. The encore was executed with real class.
Mi-Sex Photo by Sarah Gilpin
It was a truly wonderful and joyful performance from Mi-Sex. I didn’t want it to end. And, it didn’t as the encore then turned into “one more song” as the crowd wanted more. Steve Balbi rallied the band and the crowd and said “I saw Mi-Sex play this song live 35 years ago and it just got me” as the band launched into a cover of David Bowie’s ‘Heroes’ and it was ‘spine tinglingly’ good.
Mi-Sex never fail to entertain and they delivered a 16 song setlist of the tracks that we have loved for over 45 years that captivate both new and old fans. Their songs bring back cherished memories and create new vibrant ones. Long may they play!
Video by Cecilia Pattison-Levi
