It felt like I'd been transported back into 1982. The drinks were flowing, cigarette smoke filled the air and everyone in attendance was there to see Australian Pub Rock royalty.
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The Bowral Bowling Club was filled to the gills with locals and travelers from afar to see Mental As Anything.
The first thing I noticed as soon as the Mentals kicked into their opening number, Too Many Times (a personal favorite of mine) was that hardly anyone had their phones in the air, blocking the view of people behind them.
In a crazy concept my generation seems to not understand, they were all dancing and living in the moment. And did it ever look like fun.
Greedy Smith fronted the band and did an excellent job. His care-free, zany dances and antics were a reminder that there are still good front men out there.
The Mentals played all their hit songs such as, Live It Up, If You Leave Can I Come Too? and The Nips Are Getting Bigger.
Along with the hits, they played some great hidden gems such as, Date With Destiny, Let's Cook, and Mr Natural. Johnny Cash's Folsom Prison Blues was a great cover and showed off Smith's harmonica chops.
The vibrato, reverb guitar work of Martin Cilia on the night was outstanding. These skills were highlighted in If You Leave Can I Come Too? Cilia seemed to be inspired by the surf guitar sound and throwing those licks into songs really made the songs pop live.
It was great to see people from younger generations coming out to witness music that has had such an impact and a hand in shaping the legendary genre that is known as Pub Rock.
Whether you were 20 or 60, everyone had one thing in common that night. We all had fun.
