August 3, 2024

Written By Wolves + Capital Theatre – The Powerstation August 2, 2024

Written By Wolves and Capital Theatre join forces to celebrate their sophomore album releases. It’s loud; it’s fun but musically not my cup of tea.

Both bands approach classic rock but from different sides. Capital Theatre has just released their album, Major Arcana on the day while Written By Wolves’ The Lighthouse was released a week earlier.

Vana

Vana Up first was another local act, Vana, featuring the “dark pop” of Yvonne Winekel. With three bands on the bill, it was going to be an early start and a late ending and so, when I arrived, Vana was halfway through their set, covering AC/DC’s Thunderstuck. Let’s just say I was not impressed. The band…Yvonne plus guitar/bass/drums…needed more thunder and better vocals. Maybe it was an off night. I hope so.

Capital Theatre

It’s 9:10 and time for Capital Theatre. The band is: Adam Stevenson (vocals/guitar), Roy Oliver (guitar/vocals), Paul Reid (drums) with Op Shop’s Jason Kerrison on bass.

The energy level immediately rises as Stevenson jumps around, attempting to engage with the crowd, which is steadily growing. But it becomes clear to these ears that this is a band based on rock clichés from the 1970s. Their sound is basic 90s-style rock, sounding as if grunge had never happened. Stevenson is an adequate vocalist and their songs… they play the new album from beginning to end…are serviceable but not memorable… music to drink beer to.

Written By Wolves

Written By Wolves finally take the stage at 10:35, although the three string players and three backing vocalists have been on stage for quite a while.

Written By Wolves Finally the lights go down, the drummer takes his place and front man Michael Murphy screeches to the assembled crowd, “Powerstation!” and keyboard player Oli Lyons takes a mighty leap onto his rig. Perhaps he’s been inspired by the gymnastics at the Olympics.

Like Capital Theatre, Written By Wolves present their new album in its entirety. But their sound is very different. Being the old coot I am, I’m reminded of such second-tier 70s arena bands with names like Triumph and Saga, aspiring to be Journey and Styx. This is why punk rock happened.

Murphy, an ex NZ Idol star, is dressed in a black-spangled suit and peppers his banter with f-bombs, asking us if we are ready (we are). Its bombastic and equal parts ridiculous and impressive if for no other reason than the pure hutzpah involved in putting on this show.

Written By Wolves