Watching the look on Chris Bailey`s face as he turned around and nodded to Buzz Bidstrup and then turned to the left for a nod of approval from John Brewster said it all. The original Angels are back together and they know they are good.
This is the band we never thought we would see together again. A bitter legal battle between Doc Neeson and the Brewster Brothers wasted a lot of time in the last 7 years.After they all saw that the only people benefiting from the battle were the lawyers, a truce was called and the band reunited with the line-up from the first four albums, a line-up that hadn’t been together since 1982.
The Angels today are Doc Neeson (vocals), Rick Brewster (guitar), John Brewster (guitar), Chris Bailey (bass), Buzz Bidstrup (drums).
When Bailey, Bidstrup and Brewster were nodding their approval, so was the audience. The crowd was witnessing one of Australia’s greatest ever live bands together on stage 30 years after the now classic ‘Face To Face’ album carved its way into Australian popular culture.
The setlist for the show drew heavily from that album. Only two songs (‘Love Takes Care’ and ‘Live It Up’ were not played).
Here was a band with so many hits that they were tossing out classics in the first six songs that most bands today would be lucky to have for an encore.
Rose Tattoo were meant to be on the bill. Unfortunately, Angry Anderson was sick and didn’t make the Melbourne shows.
A special mention though to Wilbur Wilde who joined the band on sax for ‘Take A Long Line’.
It is amazing that when you think of the time of The Angels, AC/DC, Rose Tattoo, The Mentals, Cold Chisel, Midnight Oil and INXS were all doing the rounds of the pub circuit at the same time. It was the golden era of Australian music.
The Angels will continue this tour in Queensland on November 20 and then be back in Victoria and South Australia for more dates in December.
Seeing Australian rock history live on stage is rare these days. Make it a priority to see one of these shows.
Setlist for Saturday, November 8, 2009 at The Forum, Melbourne
After The Rain (from Face To Face, 1978)
Straight Jacket (from Face To Face, 1978)
Fashion and Fame (from Night Attack, 1981)
Dogs Are Talking (from Beyond Salvation,1990)
No Secrets (from Dark Room, 1980)
Coming Down (from Face To Face, 1978)
Outcast (from Face To Face, 1978)
Devil’s Gate (from Dark Room, 1980)
Can’t Shake It (from No Exit, 1979)
Be With You (from Face To Face, 1978)
Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again
Face The Day (from Dark Room, 1980)
I Ain’t The One (from Face To Face, 1978)
We Gotta Get Out Of This Place (from The Howling, 1986)
Shadow Boxer (from No Exit, 1979)
Marseilles (from Face To Face, 1978)
City Out Of Control (from Night Attack, 1981)
Take A Long Line (from Face To Face, 1978)
