Archive: Gig Review – Baby Animals + Dallas Crane + Palace Of The King at The Metro (2017)

Live review: Baby Animals + Dallas Crane + Palace Of The King at The Metro, Sydney, February 4, 2017

By PERRY GRAYSON
PALACE OF THE KING are a Melbourne based band and have been around for a few years. They’ve built up quite a good reputation as a top-notch heavy rawk act.

Their sound is a classy example of the bluesy and psychedelic strains of yesteryear. This humble Hot Metal journalist had a chance to see their Sydney tour stop on a bill they’ve shared with Dallas Crane and headliners The Baby Animals.

Palace of the King is fronted by energetic vocalist Tim Henwood and boasts the twin-axe attack of Leigh Maden and Matt Harrison, Andrew Gilpin on bass, Sean Johnston on keys and the ultra-hard hitting Travis Dragani on drums. The six-piece blasted through a selection of old and new tunes that they’ve perfected in a career spanning over 300 gigs worldwide.

It was clear from the get-go that POTK deserved to have the slot just before the Baby Animals. We here at Hot Metal have no doubt that POTK will return soon as headliners of their own tour. Those who didn’t arrive to the gig early enough for supporters POTK missed out on a genuine heavy rawk treat.

Dallas Crane were next in line.

Following POTK, they had a lot to live up to. While Dallas Crane are a tight band, stylistically they didn’t quite fit the tour package. By the end of Dallas Crane’s semi-punk set the crowd was seriously hungry for the Baby Animals.

Baby Animals guitarist/singer Suze DeMarchi never fails to impress an audience with her energetic on-stage delivery. DeMarchi is cut from the same cloth as Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart fame. A  frontwoman who gives the boys more than a run for their money! DeMarchi’s current band is rounded out by original guitarist Dave Leslie, bassist Dario Bortolin and drummer Mick Skelton.

The joint was packed with fans young and old, singing along to big hits like “One Word” and “Rush You”. It’s no surprise from watching them live that the Baby Animals have garnered top chart success both in Australia and beyond. DeMarchi and company are still loud as hell and can keep up with bands nearly half their age.