The Men Who Drip With Germs are a band who play the local traps in Newcastle, NSW as one of very few gypsy rock bands in the area. The line-up is crowded and formidable – lead singer/guitar/melodium, bass/double bass, electric guitar, drums, oboe, clarinet/accordion, trombone, and occasionally cello and violin all feature in a regular set. Band members are incredibly talented, some of whom are classical musicians in training at the Newcastle Conservatorium of Music.
While the band has only been a local name for 2 years, in that time it has drawn a distinct following, in particular by those who frequent Wickham’s Lass O’Gowrie Hotel, where they play regular sets. It is entertainment in itself to witness the Germs fit 6 or 7 musicians onto a stage that at best can be called ‘cosy’ and, in other cases, VERY small. I have a strong memory of the accordionist’s curly hair becoming caught in a cymbal stand on one occasion.
What makes the band unique is that the audience is always surprised. The music is cross-genre, and often a song will change styles 2 or 3 times, and this results in excellent dynamics The band play songs in a folk style, but have used the talent of the bassist and electric guitarist, who play or have played in other notable Newcastle rock acts, to amp up and create a heavier, edgier sound in songs such as “My Good Eye”, whereas a cover of ABBA’s “Money” employs the skill of accordionist Neil Simpson for the famous riff.
The group has also used performance to individualise their music. Band members have stage names and costumes, and the only female performer, plays and sings as male persona ”Sokratis”. While on first viewing this is unusual to an audience member who is accustomed to the modern trend of dressing down, and playing with angst, intensity, or no expression at all, the performance is highly entertaining.
Generally the Germs play at alternative music venues such as the aforementioned Lass O’Gowrie, and events run by the Loft Youth Venue and TINA (This is Not Art), but the band’s recent booking to play at popular Indie/Alternative venue The Cambridge Hotel on Friday 30 May, supporting nationally successful Newcastle gypsy band Mojo Juju & the Snake Oil Merchants, suggests that they are beginning to make an impression in the Newcastle live music scene.
The band is certainly in the teenager-hood of their music development. While original songs are catchy, they are few in number, and there is need for polishing of their sets, which can be patchy at times. That being said, The Men Who Drip With Germs have a raw sound that is fresh, new and innovative when placed in comparison to the generic Top 40 set.
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