It was one of those nights where expectations were high, and the likeliness of being disappointed: even higher. Within the Perth music scene people had raved about a new band Chasing The Ninth, and as I discovered on the night, this was only their fifth gig with new members Mike Carrivick (Vocals), and John Horner (Bass). Before the new recruits, the band was previously known as Fractures Of.

As the crowd started to assemble outside in the smoking area, it was apparent to me the first band Afraid of Heights had started playing. If my initial flinching reaction to the opening vocals was anything to go by; they were not my taste.  Although entertaining to watch, the heaviness was just not for me.  Once they had finished their set, my interest was re-kindled as I saw the next band begin to tune their instruments and make last minute sound checks.

Before they even started playing I felt drawn closer to the stage, by what I could only describe as a charismatic energy, and I wasn’t alone. Within minutes, the previously deserted room was filling up with the crowd from outside.  A moment of panic drew me to the front of stage, in case the growing number of people might obscure my view.  It struck me then, the extent of my curiosity to see what the “big deal” was.  Finally, my anticipation was over when Mike introduced the band and the first song they would play. The music was captivating and powerful.  Out of the five musicians on stage, not one of them looked out of their depth, they seemed to gel together seamlessly.  

Their collaboration, although recent, brought a combination of extensive musical knowledge and talent. Something very rarely found in the ever growing number of new bands and hopeless wannabes. By the time the third song was being played, I was already sold. ( I later found out it was called Tales of Empathy) The particular hook for me was the line “Lay me down in a bed of euphoria; Utopia.”  I had no doubt that every line had come from a genuine place of romantic torment, which somehow ironically left me feeling hopeful -  A difficult feat for any writer.

As an overall package, the band was hard to critic.  The journalist in me was searching relentlessly for a flaw, but the fan in me just would not let one be found.

By Alexa Prinno.