The Mockers Turn Back Time

The Mockers, The Tuning Fork, Auckland – 4 March 2018

The Mockers turned back the clock at The Tuning Fork last night and delivering a smashing performance to a packed house who danced and sang along as if the 80’s weren’t quite over yet.

Gareth Thomas warmed up the crowd with a couple of edgy songs that sounded slightly familiar, but it wasn’t until he introduced himself that there where hoots and calls for Blowing Dirt, Sophie, and Fiji Baby. Getting his partner in crime from Good Shirt, Rodney Fisher, up singing Lucy off Fiji Baby was a nice nod to the past, and the rest of the short set was fun and catchy. He closed with Sophie, to the crowd’s delight, a truly unexpected pleasure.

After a short break The Mockers came on stage and were met with the enthusiasm as you would expect when catching up with some old mates from years gone by, and it was clear right from the start they were going to relive the good old days.

Fagan, the showman as ever, hit the stage in his full regalia in a somewhat swashbuckling style. I couldn’t help but think he had a little Steve Van Zandt swagger, and it was clear right from the start there was mischief to be had and he was going to have as much as he could.

The set-list kicked off with After the Rain and Seven Years, with plenty of banter to boot, both from the stage and the mosh. A nice mix of well-known and not so well-known tracks followed, including Causality, Trendy Lefties, and Phone Call.

Then came a great run of nostalgia with Alvison Park, Swear Its True, Murder in Manners Street, Woke Up Today, Cleopatra and One Black Friday. It was here I caught myself thinking this magical piece of musical Kiwiana had been locked away for far too long and it seemed a shame it took this long to hear these songs again.  I did see them last year in Christchurch, but it was cold and windy and not much fun.  However, in the comfort of the Tuning Fork the band sounded fresh and in great form. A nod has to go out to whoever was responsible for the sound. It was clean and vibrant and the overall musicianship, including Fagan’s vocals, didn’t miss a beat all night.

Forever Tuesday Morning was played to the roar of the crowd near the end of the set and then, after a short encore which included the dark and broody Winter’s Tale, it was all over.  Way too soon. The smiles and schoolboy shenanigans on stage, especially with lead guitarist Brett Adams and Geoff Hayden on bass, said it all. And I think the band enjoyed the gig just as much as those who came along.

It’s a shame more Kiwis didn’t get a chance to enjoy this short reunion tour. I hope we won’t have to wait another 30 years, but those who attended last night I bet were still smiling and humming their favourite Mockers track this morning.  I know I was.

David Boyle

Click any photo to browse a gallery of images from Veronica McLaughlin Photography