It felt like an eternity since A Swayze & The Ghosts had played (or at least, it did for me). Covid-19 has delayed the inevitable rise of one of Tasmania’s finest alternative exports, with the band having had to take the same extended break from touring, writing and recording that most other artists have.
However, rather than dwelling on lost moments, the band have been recently concentrating on writing new material, and new songs Anthropology and Us In Stereo fit seamlessly into a set filled with all of the great A Swayze songs and crowd pleasers – Connect To Consume, Cancer, Mess of Me, Reciprocation, Suddenly and Evil Eyes amongst others.
The large crowd were treated to a performance into which the band were obviously pouring their heart and soul. Dynamic frontman, Andrew Swayze held court, prowling the stage with the intensity of a caged lion ready to roar at a moment’s notice, while the rest of the band, Ben Simms (bass), Hendrik Wipprecht (guitar) and Zac Blain (drums) provided the thunderous background that is so representative of their garage/punk style.
Loud, proud and boisterous, A. Swayze & The Ghosts reaffirmed their place in the upper echelon of popular Tasmanian music.
Featured image and gallery: ©fullonrockphotography/Andrew Fuller
