The Vines
March 28, 2003
(Mandalay Bay’s House of Blues - Las Vegas)
By: Christina Martinez - ModernRock.com
The Vines never fail to put on a good show for their fans, but what a show to see them play in Vegas at Mandalay Bay’s House of Blues! Lead singer Craig Nicholls, ironically sipping a can of Coke through the set accompanied by the symbolic rock star ciggie, was on a rampage of his well-known guitar demolition.
Was Nicholls off key? Of course. Was he screaming? Of course. But if you’re a fan of Australia’s The Vines you couldn’t help but appreciate the sensation of garage rock. It surprises me that despite his low tech, raw vocals, Nicholls is continuously able to embrace himself in their music. And his fans join him.
Unlike many of their previous performances, The Vines played a more sullen set with the majority of the songs from their debut album Highly Evolved. A new addition, the song “Take the Long Road and Walk It”, is a recent single that’s been getting airtime at local rock stations.
It didn’t seem to really pick up until the end when they played their hit single “Get Free,” which inevitably brought them fame and opened the door for a wave of garage rock bands. A witty addition to their set was a rendition of the hip-hop song “Miss Jackson” by Outkast. About ten people in the venue realized it was a joke. Nicholls never mentioned that is was and everyone just bopped their heads to the beat. Ah, the influences of a rock star.
At one point Nicholls walked to the side of the stage and caressed the red curtains. Then he nonchalantly took a sip of his water bottle and started singing. At another point, Nicholls asks the audience if they like disco and plays “Autumn Shade.” Go figure. It must have been all that Coke.
The other band members, bassist Patrick Matthews, acoustic guitarist Ryan Griffiths and drummer Hamish Rosser did their usual best, quietly in the shadow of their lead singer. Simple with strobe and red lights, The Vines returned for an encore performance.
They rocked. They’re cool and they’re loud as hell. If they happen to come to a city near you, go see them. Nicholls may be sipping on a Sprite and cover some Dixie Chicks song. I wouldn’t be surprised.
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