Live Review: The Frowning Clowns, The Dandelion, Black Springs

A modest but enthusiastic crowd greeted local four-piece Black Springs to the Factory Floor.  Early-comers were treated to some new jams and some proven favourites. Sixties-inspired garage-rock tinted with reverb is the order of the day, lifted to catchy heights by the slinky hollow-body guitar vibes of Tim Story. The smiles on the faces of the foot-tapping crowd were matched only by the cheeky grins emitted by bass man Leighton Holloway, who refreshingly doesn't attempt to hide the fact that playing on stage can be very fun.

The Dandelion are a relatively new group with a depth of talent and some very familiar faces (think Dolly Rocker Movement and The Grease Arrestor) within their ranks. Their set was rivetingly energetic; it was psych by way of folk, modulation by way of Pakistan – it was glorious. Driven by the heavenly organ stylings of Miss Alison Hobbes, matched by the soaring droned riffs of band leader Daniel Darling, they deservingly had the room swooning in the palms of their collective groovy hands.

With the sneaky stream of punters trying to slide upstairs to catch The Scientists show happening concurrently, Melbourne darlings The Frowning Clouds emerged and immediately engulfed the room with their brand of reverb-soaked, Mod-inspired throwback rock  The tightness of this group is testament to a well-travelled outfit who have plied their trade several years. Though it appeared at times shambolic, it was never out of control. Soaring vocal harmonies sat just above the plethora of guitars and keys standing shoulder to shoulder across the stage, and those infectious riffs hailing back to the mid-'60s had the room heaving.

Overall an exceptional night for local talent, one gets the feeling of having witnessed something on the ground floor that is destined for greater things soon.