Anberlin in Australia
A quick geography lesson: Australia is far from anywhere – 20 plus hours from Orlando, FL, the home of Anberlin. Stephen Christian didn’t know Anberlin had any fans here – maybe 30 or 40 kids at each of their nine shows. The lead singer was wrong.
They sold out their first show in Adelaide and in Sydney they were greeted by 600 near delirious fans, itching and sweating for the yawning beauty of Dance, Dance, Christa Paffgen and the rollicking chorus of the title track from their latest LP, Never Take Friendship Personal. On a four band bill featuring Winters Underground, Staying at Home and Antiskeptic, Anberlin was sonically devastating and Christian’s effusive and sincere thanks was welcome respite from boring metal and punk bands challenging each other to between song swearing competitions.
Before the Sydney show Christian reflected on how four mates got to playing rock’n’roll on the other side of the world. “This has been one of the greatest experiences of my life. When you start a band you hope to get on a tour around the States but the fact that we’re playing in a total different country is mind blowing.”
While the band has shifted tens of thousands of records, the charming and refreshing front man isn’t about to delude himself. “I’m not naïve in the fact that we’re not going to be popular, we’re not going to be around in 10 years … the current genre we’re in is going to fade away.” But right now it’s at a glorious zenith. Further Seems Forever will prove themselves capable of a classic record with their next and Underoath is on the brink of stardom.
The path Anberlin tread was broken in by The Juliana Theory and MxPx who were amongst the first openly Christian rock bands to tour Australia. Questions about faith are now so redundant journalists have stopped asking them in favour of talking about the music – sounds like a win for Brett Detar and Mike Herrera.
It’s a lead being accepted by the Brisbane band that has opened for Anberlin. Antiskeptic have two albums under their belt and are due to head back to the studio soon – the opportunity to tour with Anberlin has put the trio in a rare place. They’re showing one of their favourite bands around their country whilst soaking up every bit of rock 101.
“We’re super stoked. All three of us are really into Anberlin’s new record. When we heard they were coming out we weren’t even meant to be touring but we all decided to go out on the road and it’s been heaps of fun,” Antiskeptic drummer Nick Coppin said.
There’s no argument the two bands are sonically similar. Both trade in anthemic choruses and slightly angular verses and just happen to have sold a similar amount of records per capita in their native lands. Two albums each and it’s looking more like the proverbial match in heaven.
Review and Photos by Peter Veness
pdveness@bigpond.net.au
©2005 HM Magazine - All Rights Reserved
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Comments
Cool.
I saw Anberlin @ the rev in Brisbane, Really great show, I hadn't seen a christian band for about 4 years, yet Anberlin were great, Thanks Anberlin loved it. My ears are still ringing.
Was Anberlin in Melbourne at any stage? If they weren't, well then I missed out. Totally. :(
Come back to Australia!!!!!!! Pwetty pwease?!
They were in Melbourne!! They played 23rd July, Saturday.. I missed out too, I didn't have $38 dollars on me :-(
I think them boys could stick around beyond once their current scene fades. I know about being here today and gone tomorrow and wonderin' what happened. No one ever acts like they see it comin'. Not the label people, the manager, no one tells ya'.The fact that the boys already know enough to know they gotta adapt, they are ahead. I know I can help them to. I'll have them come out and spend some time at the ranch in Montana. I'll whip them into shape with activities they can put into their live show that no one is doin' like bull ridin', horse breakin', ropin', steerin', brandin', trailin', etc. all the while listenin' to old Duran Duran and Killing Joke and a dash of Flock of Seagulls for music education and reshapin'. Heck maybe even throw in some Country Gentlemen and Believer for good measure. We can do it and avoid having to see the boys go into actin' just to stay active. Amen to the future. We can do it. God Bless y'all. Billy Ray
great review!
jacksonville misses u!!!!!!!!!
u guys are awesome!
<3 ally
Big Fan and top review!- Keep smilin
i saw anberlin in melbourne @ their underage gig. they were so good. if the dont come back to australia it will lick the sac hard. i tried so hard to get into the overage concert lata that night. anberlin rock
I love you guys and you are the awesomest!!!
HOLA MI NOMBRE ES KATHY , SOY DE ARICA CHILE TNGO 20 AÑOS Y DESCUBRI A AL GRUPO ANBERLING GRACIAS A UN AMIGO QUE ME DIO SU LINK Y QUISIERA DECIR QUE ANBERLIN ES UN GRUPO EXELENTE DEBERIAN VENIR A CHILE ...
SALUDOS A TODOS LOS QUE ESCUCHAN ANBERLIN
_____________K A T H U
HELLO MY NAME IS KATHY, I AM OF ARICA CHILE TNGO 20 YEARS And DESCUBRI To A GROUP ANBERLING THANKS To A FRIEND WHO GAVE HIS LINK And MEANT ME THAT ANBERLIN IS A GROUP EXELENTE DEBERIAN TO COME To CHILE... GREETINGS To ALL THOSE THAT LISTEN TO ANBERLIN
oh i cannot believe i missed this tour. i live in Aus and know Antiskeptic and love them dearly but i didn't know about ANberlin when they wer here. Lucky for me i meet them in Janurary. :) can't wait til they get back here. if you get the chance..go see them...such sweet guys.
WOW, thanks to my brother whos 16 and i am 11, he showed me what rock is. I like rock but THISS is rock.And i live in usa so i dont really get the chance to go to concerts except one Journey councert. LOVE ANBERLIN!
