LIVE REVIEW: KARMA POLICE + CHAMBER LANE + TABLE MANNERS @ BLACK BOX THEATRE 15/08/26

Words by Cecilia Pattison-Levi

Sunshine Coast alternative rock band Karma Police sold out the Black Box Theatre in Nambour for the launch of their debut ‘Pale and Blue’ EP. It was great to see two local ‘Sunny Coast’ bands, ChAMBER LANe and Table Manners, deliver a great all-ages gig to ‘wet the head’ of Karma Police’s official arrival to musical ‘bandhood’, with their original songs on full display now online and on vinyl for their growing fan base.

The venue itself was a good fit as it was a perfect sized space for bands to cut their live teeth with audiences and bring business into the local area. It has been almost a year now since Solbar and The Station have been closed. The local area has venues like Blackflag, Nortons and The Presynct stepping up to help fill the void, and it’s great to see another venue like the Black Box Theatre helping out the talented bands in the area.

The evening started with a seven-song set from the four-piece indie rock band Table Manners.The band comprises of Carlos, Ashtyn, Isaac and Harrison and they delivered a great performance of theiroriginal songs. Table Manners welcomed the large crowd to the EP launch and told everyone that they had had a short break away but were now back to “play a few songs for ya.”

Table Manners’ songs like the fantastic ‘Daydream’ were delivered along with ‘Getaway’ and ‘On Your Own’. The band brought their authentic guitar and drum-driven sound with a genuine live energy. The band had the crowd dancing and warmed up the venue. Their last two songs, ‘18’ and the exceptionally good ‘Life Hack’, were really well performed. Table Manners are back and well worth catching live around the Sunny Coast or Brisbane.

After a very quick changeover, and the Your Mates Larry pale ale put into place next to the setlists, ChAMBER LANe had themselves and their instruments checked and were ready to go. And go – they did!

Local Sunshine Coast punk-rock band ChAMBER LANe delivered a slick and professional seven-song set. The band got the jump on the crowd with their quips and advice to the young crowd about high school, to high schoolers who looked confused, but the song ‘High School’ was anything but confused about that time of life and it was a great opener. Then, the band cut to the high-octane pop-punk songs of ‘Lilana’ and ‘Since January’ and the crowd were dancing along.

ChAMBER LANe are Conor (vocals), Josiah (bass), Seth (drums) and Sam (guitar) and their set really started to cook when the fabulous fourth song, “about my ex-girlfriend”, the ‘Other Side’ was delivered. Then, the band were quite bold in playing two really strong unreleased songs, ‘All You Want’ and ‘Patience’, and they both had a strong pop-punk delivery that played well live and the crowd were totally engaged.

ChAMBER LANe are an experienced band with a great, energetic live spirit. Their support for younger bands is genuine and meaningful. The band’s performances of their original songs were great to hear. The band told the crowd: “We have saved the best to last” as they performed ‘Letting Go’ to close out their set with a big pop-punk ending. It was so good!The band really cut through to the crowd and the love in the room for the band grew.

Then, with a countdown on the back screen that started with 10:00 minutes. The rush was on to get the four young band members that make up Karma Police: Willem (vocals), Madi (bass/vocals), Will (guitar) and Isaac (drums) settled with their instruments on stage. The stress and nerves were obvious as the large crowd continued to call out to them and adults with cameras and sound equipment buzzed around them.

But it took under six minutes and the stage was ready, Karma Police were ready, setlists were down and the backscreen lit up with their band name. Then, without much ‘a due’, the vocal line started as the guitar, bass and drums kicked in to commence their set with their latest single ‘Frog In My Throat’ in a very 1990’s throwback fashion. It was a unique way to start and the band sounded great right from the start.

Karma Police have had a very busy two years with their gigging around the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane’s music scene, including appearances at The Triffid and The Cave Inn over the last few months. Now, Karma Police are here at the Black Box Theatre ready to launch their debut EP ‘Pale and Blue’ to their family, friends and fans. The band have improved exponentially in the last few months. They had grown physically and musically. Their songwriting has matured, their vocal work has improved so much and while they have always played well, they have stepped up to another level. The hard work and the hours of practice show and the band are beginning to look like rock stars.

Karma Police delivered a setlist that showcased their EP and their diverse musical influences. The second song, a cover of Smashing Pumpkins’ ‘Cherub Rock’, was really pleasing to hear and got the crowd jumping. But it was the change in the delivery of their first original song, ‘Getaway’, that was fantastic with the energy and skill on display. It was the first set highlight. The guitar work from Will tonight was really tightly focused. Karma Police sounded just awesome.

By the time Karma Police delivered the Pixies cover of ‘Monkey Gone To Heaven’ and then their original song ‘Black Swan’, the sold-out crowd had the mosh going as the front of the stage bounced with hands in the air. The band looked confident and comfortable as they changed the focus of the gig and delivered a new song, ‘Gus’, and it was received well. It was followed by a cover of FontainesD.C.’s ‘I Love You’ and then the band delivered their own fabulous original song ‘Withered Leaf’. It was another set highlight!

Karma Police were coming to the end of their set as the whole of the EP’s songs had been performed and the band thanked everyone for coming to the launch. They closed out their set with the song ‘Black’ and left the stage. But the enthusiastic crowd were not settling for that as they yelled out for more.

It was time for an encore, and Karma Police returned to the stage and performed. The band looked great on stage and with the tension off, they let loose. The future looks bright for this young band and it’s great to see a new generation taking off with strength in their own songs. Check out ‘Pale and Blue’ if you want to see and hear the start of the next wave.