Grant Walmsley & Ava, Flyway Live @ Trosfest 3 – 12/09/09

In my opinion the real benefit of free gigs is not the fundraiser part itself but more the chance to discover new live acts within the local scene.

With barely enough time to catch the last two acts  – Ava, Flyway and Grant Walmsley (guitarist of Screaming Jets fame).

Expecting decent sound from both live sets? Not happening tonight ladies and gentlemen. With Ava, Flyway just barely allowed to play with their own drumkit this was certainly not a venue noted for its professionalism.

Ava, Flyway took the stage busting out surprisingly tight pop-punk that hinted at moments of experimental indie rock. Not the type of music the immediate audience of over 40s expected, with this experimental power chord and clear high range a-typical vocals clearing the room to the remainders that dug the catchy pop-sensible indie quartet.

You couldn’t help but notice that familiar sounding soon-to-be radio hit friendly style from Ava that you have heard before from every other punk band.

No insult intended here but more refreshing to hear from a band so young, so clear, so certain and so determined to stick to their guns!

Enter Grant Walmsley, a household name for all Screaming Jets fans.

Upon the ending of his first song whether you enjoy the idea of the one-man-band or not this is a man who remains smart and sensible to an almost rockabilly singalong style that drew back in all the since departed middle aged crowd like bees to the hive.

A style to bring down the house with beer swilling rocking sing-a-longs that you didn’t need to have heard before – they were just too damned catchy for my taste but the crowd ate it up song after song.

Good Ole Grant has come a long way from the early days of the Screaming Jets providing lead guitars and the odd backing vocals moving over to recapturing his fans again in a style all his own.

[This article is to be featured in REVERB #39. Keep an eye out for it at your local stockist!!!]