Concert Review: Earth Tongue, Whammy Bar, 27 November 2020

Comprised of drummer Ezra Simons and vox/guitarist Gussie Larkin (also of indie-pop outfit Mermaidens, though you couldn’t tell), Earth Tongue tore Whammy to shreds with their monstrous brand of psych-rock on the penultimate night of their most extensive Aotearoa tour to date.

Guardian Singles are a brilliant warm-up, the four piece dishing out danceable post-punk with nods to Sonic Youth and Smashing Pumpkins. They’re something of a supergroup – all the members play in other outfits – but as a collective they’re thoroughly tuned in to each other. Glazed in sweat, Thom Burton is a great leader with a commanding stage presence, scratching away on guitar and making witty quips between songs. A snapped string reflects the intensity of their set.

There’s nothing about Earth Tongue that isn’t rad as fuck, from their outfits – Gussie dons her trademark vintage one-piece while Ezra opts for a ringer tee and baseball cap – to their blistering cuts of jilted rock. When they emerge, Whammy is packed and sweaty – even against the recently installed air con’s best efforts. The haze smells like booze and perfume.

The set mostly showcases 2019 album Floating Being, with a couple of newbies thrown in for good measure. Microscopic God is a brilliant opener, thrashy and driving, while the unreleased Miraculous Death kicks some energy into the audience.

The two members alternate on vocal duties – Gussie’s pristine voice countered by Ezra’s primal scream – but the combined effect is intoxicating, like lava meeting cold water and spattering steam.

Akin to Deap Vally or Royal Blood, their sound is far bigger than anything you’d expect from a duo, and their creative use of unusual time signatures adds an enthralling extra level to dig into. They close on Astonishing Comet, the front half of the room fully rapt and moving, before disappearing into the shadows from whence they came.

Alex Cabré

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