LIVE REVIEW: THE SUPERJESUS + BEKS + THE AFTER @ THE TRIFFID 05/06/26
Words and photos by Cecilia Pattison-Levi
The Superjesus, as a band, have always been so supportive of young bands and musicians. Last night, at The Triffid, they delivered an amazing concert with rock bands covering the spectrum of rock ‘n’ roll. They brought a complete performance of their important second album ‘Jet Age’ released 25 years ago to life. Then, they brought their vision of giving diverse and talented musicians and support bands stage time with sets from New Zealand’s The After and Brisbane’s own Beks with KJ and Abbie to the crowd and receptive music fans.
I treated myself to a VIP Soundcheck Experience ticket to see The Superjesus in action. It is amazing to watch a skilled band warm up as they move their instruments around and practice. Sarah McLeod said: “We will sound shit for a while until we get it right and then it will be great”. It was wonderful to hear four songs in various states of readiness with ‘In Harm’s Way’ played as levels were checked, a rocking version of ‘Down Again’ was practiced as the bass had “issues” and ‘Enough To Know’ was performed. It was amazing to watch The After’s, Bruce Madden, quickly integrate into the band to play those synthesiser Roland sounds in support of the ‘Jet Age’ songs. It was a privilege to watch.
Then, after a significant break, dinner with Stuart Rudd’s burger recommendation and an hour wait in the line before doors opened, the official night of music began.
The After comprising of Ruby Fraser, (vocals, guitar, and trumpet), Bruce Madden (synthesiser), Andrew Featherstone (bass and songwriter) and Gareth Scott (drums) delivered a raw bluesy rock ‘n’ roll set. The band blasted out ‘Bad Feelings’, and ‘Mermerised’ as they delivered amazing powerhouse pop-rock songs. The third song in the set, ‘Only One’, was really good.
The band’s astonishing shredding guitar goddess front woman, Ruby Fraser, delivered the “shake, rattle and roll” with her gritty and skilled style. She is certainly a dynamic performer and an extraordinary musician as she captured the crowd’s attention instantly. The band’s dark rock infused cover of Kylie Minogue's ‘Can't Get You Out Of My Head’ was awesome. The song was written by Cathy Dennis, and as another strong female front woman she would have wholly approved of their version.
The After moved through rock, blues and jazz with ease on ‘Work It Out, Baby’. Ruby Fraser picked up the trumpet and played it with real soul. The last song ‘I Don’t Know Why’was performed with style and energy. The After glowed, and hopefully music fans here in Oz might deliver them a happily ever after with this tour. Fantastic set!
Then, the night changed gears as the marvellous drummer Abbie and the talented bass guitarist Kara Jayne prepared the crowd to step into the dazzling world of Beks (aka Rebecca Callander). The “riot grrl”, Bundaberg born, but Brisbane based Beks, brought London and Ibiza “militia” style dance-rock to The Triffid.
Beks and “her bad ass girl” band started theirset with the command to ‘Turn This Shit Up’ as she performed her funny and articulate song. Beks and her band’s ability to deliver high-octane and in your face, songs was a joy to watch. Her next song ‘I Knew A Girl’ is full of humour about life in a remote Queensland town with jokes about Founder’s Effects and small town dating: “Do you take sugar with your revenge?/Take a photo for him and then hit send” as the escapee girls from “Bundy” party in Europe and hate on the ex.
Beks gave the crowd a serving of her perfectly crafted DIY punk infused dance pop with a rock edge. The pace was fast, loud, sweaty, with ‘glamorama’ – with added pink guitar!The band delivered ‘Dangerous’, followed it with the fan favourite and emotional ‘A Love Like This’ where the song written for her recently deceased father choked her up, and there were a few tears, but she came through it.
She bombarded the crowd with great songs from her latest EP ‘Hard Gloss’ with winner songs such as ‘Butter’ and ‘Who Are You Kidding’ and a new song ‘Only Love’ hot off the presses from the Mighty Hoopla Festival in London, the rockin’ ‘Nice Try’ was played well and then the fabulous ‘Melodrama’ closed out the set. I was like a moth to the flame. Beks’ live vocals and stagecraft were incredible, and her top-tier band brought their liveliness to the stage. It was sensational.
Beks set was bombastic and adventurous, and featured a mix of electric energy and quirky: perfectly executed. It was a wonderful set, and I was so happy to see this brilliant young songwriter and her band live again after her outstanding headline show at the Black Bear Lodge a few weeks ago. Beks slayed!
Then, after a short break as drum kits were cleared and re-arranged and guitars were put into place. So much stuff to move for drummers! The band: bassist Stuart Rudd followed by lead guitarist Cam Blokland (in his fabulous Blondie shirt), aviator-wearing drummer Ben Todd and imported synthesiser wizard Bruce Madden took to the stage and waited for the Captain, Sarah McLeod, to start the party and delivertheir definitive second album, ‘Jet Age’to the crowd.
The songs on this album still hit hard after 25 years and like fine wine they are sounding full and mellow but with hard edges. The Superjesus mostly performed the album in track order. Sarah McLeod questioned the crowd about their knowledge of the original CD, and we all agreed we knew the track order, and then ‘Over to You’ hit before the second song ‘Gravity’ sent the crowd into overdrive.
‘Enough To Know’ came next and then ‘Holy Water’ was moved up the order as Sarah McLeod told the crowd about its grungy ‘Sumo’ past. Sarah McLeod and Stuart Rudd told stories about the creation of the ‘Jet Age’album and their contact with the “Frank Sinatra loving, $60 bottle of wine drinking and gyoza eating” American music producer named Ed Buller, whose CV included records for The Psychedelic Furs and Suede. Sarah McLeod stated: “I will always remember his shiny winkle picker shoes. And we obviously paid him too much”.
But he made the band think about writing another three songs for ‘Jet Age’ and from those sessions, the wonderful ‘Safer Emergency’ was written and it is a gem on that album. Then, ‘In Harm’s Way’, ‘Second Sun’ and ‘Fall To Rescue’ were played. The acoustic rock ballad ‘When I Tell You In The End’ came next, and it was stunning on the guitar with the saltire.
The Superjesus upped the tempo with ‘Checkin’ In’ and the huge delivery of ‘Secret Agent Man’. Then, ‘Everything Turns’ was played and the album was almost done as they closed out the set with the 13th song and “fan favourite”, ‘Everybody Calls Me Lonely’.
It had been a fabulous night of rock, and there was now 9 minutes left. Sarah McLeod addressed the crowd and said: “Well, what songs do you want? ‘Shut My Eyes’, ‘Dancin’ and ‘Down Again’?” But the response from the crowd was ‘Ashes’, ‘Down Again’ and the cover ‘Dancing With Myself’. And the band started at speed with ‘Ashes’ and then the last song of the night ‘Down Again’ was performed as the clock ticked down. Time was up! We had hit peak curfew!
As we all left the wonderful Triffid venue nearing midnight, the crowd commented on the brilliant night of rock ‘n’ roll in all its colours and flavours. It is rare to have three high-quality bands on one night. The Superjesus know how to put a tour together and their choices for support musicians are fantastic: absolutely quality music and fun times.
