KissChasy @ The Corner Hotel

BRINGING BACK THE LOVERS MUSIC.

Review and photos by Brittney McCarthy of BM Images

As I wrote this, I worked through each act, reflecting on how they performed and made me feel. I have spent at least 10 hours this week listening to all of them on rotation. But if you asked me to choose a favourite, I flat-out refuse. Every act was a joy to watch, this lineup greatly pleased my 16-year-old emo soul as well as the 34-year-old me searching for relatable music with humour and heart.

I had rocked up to the Corner Hotel on Wednesday night not knowing Tasmanian artist Bec Stevens and left utterly in love with all that she brought to the show. I had lots of feelings swelling around watching her expression as she sang her lyrics, her euphonious vocal articulation, and the way the band brought it all together. Bec authentically shows up through her relatable lyrics and down-to-earth presence on stage. She introduced A Stranger from her 2023 album Big Worry by asking the crowd if anyone has an ex-boyfriend who is an absolute peanut, a peanut stuck to the bottom of a bin. Well Bec, I have at least 4 fuckin’ bin peanuts.

Killing it on the guitar was Rory Joy from Melbourne 7-piece Steel Wheels. Rory is an absolute menace with an instrument and brings a lot of energy to the stage.

An unforgettable track in the set was James’ Song, an emotional tribute to her friend and songwriter James McKenzie. She remarked that writing this song was a way for her to keep him alive in some way. While they performed this track, not only was James shared with us but Bec shared herself as she moved through the song. Anyway, my heart was broken, then put back together, and now I am declaring my undying love for Bec Stevens and her unguarded music.

Adelaide’s pop-punk duo Towns jumped up to deliver “that emo shit” because they are as sad as they are angry. Despite there being only the two of them up on stage they gave us a full comedy show in banter as well as a stacked setlist including a cover of Wheatus’ Teenage Dirtbag.

Lead vocalist Aston Valladares shifts between poking fun at himself and their music to playfully teasing the crowd. While introducing the first release they wrote together in uni, I Don’t Mind, Aston remarks, “this song’s not that great, but the moment was sick”.

Citing their influences as Title Fight, Citizen, Balance And Composure, and Basement, I understand why I was pretty enamoured with Towns the moment they began. When drummer Daniel Steinert loudly burped into their mic, I was done for. A band that spoke directly to my musical and comedic tastes. If you get the chance to see Towns. Get your butt there yesterday.

Kisschasy walked out to Thin Lizzy’s The Boys are Back in Town and furiously pulsing lights in red and orange matching the huge vibrant smiles plastered on the band’s faces as they set foot on the Corner Hotel’s stage for the first time since October 2016.

Karl Ammitzboll’s ass was barely settled behind his kit before they launched into The Perfect Way To Meet from their 2007 album Hymns For The Non-Believer and the crowd morphed into a sea of arms as soon as the first line ended.

Pleasing the MySpace-era emo survivors in the room early in the set they played Hearing Voices Tonight from their 2005 debut album United Paper People and I’m unsure if I heard a single word out of lead vocalist Darren Cordeaux’s mouth above the crowd during this song.

As United Paper People came to an end, Darren stares into the crowd and says simply “We are Kisschasy, and we are home”. I’m certain the crowd were all beaming right back at him at that moment. I surprised myself with the amount of nostalgia I felt as the set unfolded. I recall remarking to someone earlier in the night that I didn’t think I knew many songs and was sure I’d be on the low end of crowd participation. However, song after song I was taken back to a time in my life where every weekend was spent at local shows, downing Woodstocks. I found I was able to sing along to almost every song on the setlist and impressed myself with my closet Kisschasy repertoire.

A rare treat for OG fans, they played Darkside, a track from their first EP in 2004. Shortly after, the band left the stage to give Darren some breathing room to perform some tracks solo. Before starting, he made a heartfelt request, saying, “if you consider me a friend, and I consider you friends, I’d love if right now you’d make me feel a little less alone and sing along with me, please” As he began playing The Shake, the crowd enthusiastically joined in, singing every word. At one point, he extended the microphone towards the crowd, grinning at everyone, allowing us a full 10 seconds to sing our hearts out.

Switching gears a haunting intimate version of Black Dress had eyes watering and friends clasping hands as they swayed to Darren’s voice piercing the room. They brought us down and then right back up as the band returned to the stage to cap off the night with three upbeat hits: Do-Do’s and Whoa-Oh’s, Spray on Pants and Opinions Won’t Keep You Warm At Night.

Kisschasy returned last year at Good Things Festival, but if you missed them there, it’s likely the last time you were able to catch a live show was in 2016 for their Farewell Tour with Luca Brasi. On the night, the line was quite established and wrapped around the building long before doors opened. During their show, Darren shared a story about a call from their booking agent who suggested they go on tour. His response? “fuck off, would people actually come?”. Well, I hope the 3 sold-out shows at the Corner for this tour show them how much the people value what Kisschasy has given us.

Buzzing from the show, I scrolled around socials seeing what the group have been up to since I last had my finger on Kisschasy’s pulse. With joy, I found that Darren Cordeaux has an upcoming album release with nostalgic guitar-pop group Daz & The Demons. You can preview some tracks on their website.

While it’s unknown if we will ever get the joy of Do-Do-ing & Whoa-Oh-ing with Kisschasy again, this night will be stuck in my head.