Releasing scungy garage tracks on tapes and records here and there since 2008, Brooklyn-based outfit The Men consolidated their sound to a more listener-friendly format for 2012 LP Open Your Heart.
It makes sense then, that The Men (not to be confused with the now defunct 90s band of the same name), have been able to export their wares in the flesh on Australian shores for the first time as part of St Jerome’s Laneway Festival.
Their Melbourne sideshow was supported by experimental tripsters Nun, followed by the more traditional rock steady beats of White Walls, both easing midweek punters into the post-punk revelry that was to follow.
The Men’s entrance was casual and unassuming, each member dragging themselves onto the stage one by one to tune up and test things out.
When the full foursome was finally together, they jumped straight into a fast-paced opening number, their recently-released single “Electric.”
The fairly light but wholesome crowd had their heads banging and legs tapping in a flash, the mood of the room lifted in an instant by such a full sound.
After this explosion of energy, the group kept up momentum with another frenetic track, “Turn It Around” off their 2012 release.
Two songs in, and bassist Ben Greenberg’s hand was suffering – in part due to his uneconomical playing style, but also from the sheer speed and attack that was required of him.
Shaking his arm out he asked to the audience, but more to himself; “how much more bass?”
The set was largely made up of tracks from Open Your Heart. While dominated by the heaviness and angst that references groups like The Sex Pistols and The Ramones, the set also showcased country styling, some intense harmonica blasting, as well as more spaced out and exploratory jams.
The sense of containment that came from the low-engagement ‘open practise sesh’ vibe was counteracted by atmospheric sounds that drew the audience in.
The sound of wah-wah pedals, messy guitar, and chant-like vocals came to a climactic point when the group dropped popular single “Open Your Heart,” which despite its likeness to The Buzzcocks’ “Ever Fallen In Love,” is timelessly heart-wrenching, and has had the ability to launch The Men into more mainstream recognition.
Seeing the hairy Nick Chiericozzi take the microphone for this song was an image of raw emotion, pouring sweat and spitting out his words.
The final song of their set was a sped-up and muddier version of “Bataille”, a standout track from their more experimental 2011 release Leave Home; featuring an addictive guitar lick that drives the song along.
Having this for the ending gave their show a definitive and strong finish, but also teased the audience into wanting more. Rapturous applause followed, as well as uncertainty as to whether they would take the stage again.
Despite the desire for it, there was to be no encore, and after such a vigorous performance, it’s not hard to understand why.
So long as their limbs and vocal chords can survive the thrashing, The Men are a group to watch out for, tugging at the chords of nostalgia but creating an exciting, cutting-edge buzz at the same time.
