PerthNorg

Eskimo Joe At The Capitol

Kevin Mitchell of Bob Evans introduced Eskimo Joe's encore by pumping up the Capitol crowd, "All the way from WA, the best band in Australia. Eskimo Joe." But as an indication of the passion they pumped into their set, I preferred the exclamation made by guitarist, Stuart Macleod, "****. It's good to be home."

Without seeing their other national gigs it is hard to say, but they gave it everything last night at the Capitol, and the crowd loved them for it. Perhaps it was because it was the homecoming , or perhaps they put the same passion into every jaunt on stage.

The Avenues warmed up the crowd with as much passion. They teased the sell-out crowd, as it filtered into the Perth venue, playing on the home-town theme.

Mitchell enjoyed a bottle of red on stage as he entertained the crowd with a few numbers from his album, "Suburban Songbook." Only a few months old, the crowd still lapped up the tracks as if they were old favourites.

Eskimo Joe played a selection from their latest album, "Black Fingernails, Red Wine," and a handful from their previous albums and EPs. The title track, my personal favourite (I'll stick my neck out and say Australia's single of the year) went down well, but by far the crowd favourite came late in the piece with "From The Sea."

It's great to see a new batch of local artists leading a new generation of West Aussie music. It's also fun to hear them collaborate on stage, and give each other a plug.

****. It's good to have them home.