The Narelles (Alan Brough and Casey Bennetto) are a rock band, formed in the late 80s. Ten years after breaking up, they’ve got together to take a trip down memory lane and perform an eclectic selection of songs from their back catalogue. This is not such an unusual premise at the moment, what with the likes of The Superjesus and Baby Animals playing The Gov next weekend. However, there is one big difference here: The Narelles never existed.
Straight-faced and sincere, Brough and Bennetto wind their way through the successes and failures of The Narelles, switching instruments and taking turns on lead vocals; all ably accompanied by their drummer “Gary X”, who is nowhere to be seen. Their comic timing is impeccable, giving just the right amount of credibility to what is a ridiculously fake story. Their voices aren’t perfect, but which rock-stars’ are? The songs incorporate hilarious lyrics with legitimate musicality.
The song list takes in a wide range of styles, with nods to the likes of The Smiths, The Sex Pistols, Custard, and other bands of a similar vintage and ilk, as well as later trends like folk-rock and R&B. The highlight of the show would have to be their tribute to Nick Cave. Incorporating an amusing story surrounding the man himself, the tone and structure of the song are so perfectly reminiscent of his own music, that it will delight and amuse fans.
The Narelles are a band that never was, except in the minds of Brough and Bennetto, but by the end of the evening you’ll be wishing they were real and hoping that their non-existence won’t stop them from releasing a greatest hits album.
Kryztoff rating: 4.5K
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