The Temper Trap – Hare & Hounds

The Temper Trap – Live

Hare & Hounds, 28/9/09

It’s always pleasing to catch a band on the up and there was a feeling among the sell-out crowd that this could be the last chance to catch Aussie epic rockers The Temper Trap in a venue of this size.

In fact the number of people whipping out their mobile phones to record the obligatory shaky camera footage suggested that this could be something to show off about in years to come.

The band have enjoyed a summer of growing attention thanks in no small part to their all-conquering single Sweet Disposition filtering its way into the public consciousness.

The no-frills pub surroundings of the Hare & Hounds seemed a long way from the sheening glamour of a Sky+ advert but the four-piece looked very much at home on what was their second appearance in Kings Heath this year.

Frontman Dougy Mandagi appeared genuinely appreciative and admitted it was “nice to see a few more people” on their return to the venue, during one of his rare forays to address the audience.

His delicately raw, falsetto vocals took a few minutes to warm up but it wasn’t long before the singer and his fellow band mates disappeared into their own world of shimmering, gazing melodies.

The beating simplicity of Rest immediately caught the attention while the imposing, layered chorus of Down River upped the tempo of the whole set. Single Sweet Disposition was an obvious highlight. But it was deliciously indulgent instrumental Drum Song which was one of the most captivating tracks, delivered with a spellbinding intensity, with bassist Jonathan Aherne swinging his instrument like a machine gun, while the rest of the band stomped and swayed to the ethereal, delay-soaked hooks.

It was an evening of epic sounds in an intimate environment and the crowd responded, before the Melbourne band signed off in style with the chugging, straight-down-the-line indie rock of Science of Fear.

The Temper Trap are clearly a band who believe in what they are doing and clearly love playing, traits which will always go a long way to winning over new fans, especially with the tunes to back it up.

Word by James Collins

Pictures by Katja Ogrin