the grates

Ahh, The Grates – Secret Rituals.
Now just a two piece after Alana went off to bake cupcakes, their energy and enthusiasm hasn’t worn off.

After releasing two album with some killer singles, Secret Rituals is no different.
Turn Me On and Sweet Dreams begin the album in the right direction. The promise of fun is just around the corner.
But we don’t get around the corner. There’s no Lies Are Much More Fun, no 19 20 20, no Carve Your Name, nothing that you can sing, loudly in your car. This is number one on my list of wants on a Grates album.

The album has its fans. They were loud and many at their recent appearance at On The Bright Side, and young enough to sing all* their songs.
I simply wanted more fun from this album.

The homespun album artwork is fantastic as always. So much love and care has gone into this album.

I just wanted more opportunities to sing along with Patience (loudly, in my car, annoying those stuck at the traffic lights with me).

*I’m way to old to be singing Change (AKA The Puberty Song) in my car.

I was excited about On The Bright Side for ages.

The prospect of one stage, 8 bands, on the Esplanade is just too inviting.
And with a quality line up, that we didn’t have to miss because of clashes.

It had been threatening to rain all week, but the prognosis on the morning was that the rain wasn’t going to get in the way.
A few pre-drinks at our place, and once everyone had arrived (and it looked like the football was over) we headed towards the train.
An unanticipated stop at the ATM meant that we missed the train that would be just in time for Foster the People.

As it happened we arrived just in time for the end of their set. We walked in as “Pumped Up Kicks” started and the atmosphere was a whole heap of people enjoying themselves which really was the vibe for the entire day.
Continue reading On The Bright Side – Perth Esplanade 23/07/2011