Archive – Gig review: Experience Jimi Hendrix at Factory Theatre, Sydney (2014)

Live review: Experience Jimi Hendrix at Factory Theatre, Sydney, Thursday, August 22 2014

By PERRY GRAYSON

MULTIPLE generations of heavy rock fans assembled at the Factory Theatre in Marrickville to celebrate the life and music of unique and legendary axeman Jimi Hendrix. The energy in the air was palpable despite the fact that the gig was seated. While the guitarists and vocalists changed throughout the night, the rhythm section of master bassist (pun intended) Dario Bortolin and hard-hitting drummer Mick Skelton remained for all but one of the songs.

Opening the show was guitarist Joel McDonald of Torch Le Monde. Joel put a modern tinge on Jimi, shredding his way through “Spanish Castle Magic” and the blues standard “Rock Me Baby”. He spiced up the tunes with some palm-mute metal riffage and Eddie Van Halen style two-hand tapping.

Next up was Jamie Christowski, performing “Little Wing” with a mellow shoe-gazing bent. Jamie was joined by Jak Housden and wunderekind Jagger (all of 11 years old) for a rendition of “Fire”.

Jak then remained on stage to put a born-too-late hippie spin on “Third from the Sun” and “If 6 Were 9”. When was the last time someone had the balls to play “Third from the Sun” off Jimi’s first LP live?! Jak’s raw axemanship combined with his vintage get-up of red corduroy and pink western shirt made him the most convincing of the show’s guitarists.

Following Jak Housden was soulful axeman/vocalist Steve Edmonds. Steve played a duet with Jamie, followed on his own by “Hey Joe” and “Castles Made of Sand”. Stylistically, Steve was dead-on the money, standing out atop the rest.

The first set of the set of the night was closed by an all-star jam on “Come On (Good Times Roll)”, featuring Joel, Jamie, Jak and Steve.

The second and final set came after a short intermission . David Hinds gave a rendition of the wah-infused “Voodoo Child”. David was joined on stage by Randall Waller (of Rose Tattoo and Shania Twain) for a sweaty take on the Hendrix blues classic “Red House”. Waller then played a smokin’ version of “Purple Haze”.

Baby Animals axeman Dave Leslie then hit the stage with some jaw dropping licks and solid vocals for “Message to Love” and “Ain’t No Telling”.

Kevin Borich stole the show with his spot-on covers of “Foxy Lady” and “Stone Free”. Kevin did more than keep up with the young whippersnappers. He played like a man possessed.

Closing out the second set was Peter Northcote. Though somewhat modern in tone, Northcote remained true to Jimi on “Freedom” and “Wind Cries Mary”.

The closing all-star jam, featuring all the evening’s guitarists, put the icing on the spacey and heavy psychedelic cake.