The Streamliners
Semaphore Workers Club
Fri 3 November

I have to admit that prior to this evening's show, I didn't know much about one of Adelaide's most popular blues and roots bands - The Streamliners. Having been around since the late 1980s, this local act have received international recognition ever since the inclusion of four of their tracks on the 'Deep South Compilation' (Shock Records). Furthermore, one of the band's songs, Humming Bird, was the runner up as Best Blues Song at the 1994 Lithgow Blues Festival in New South Wales, while vocalist and guitarist Nic Kapridis was runner up for Best New Male Artist. Impressive for a local act, there's no doubt about that.

Tonight at the Semaphore Workers club the band launched their fourth CD, 'Under The Moondogs' and, if their performance was anything to go by, this is perhaps their best release to date.

While not a huge fan of the blues-roots genre myself, I did keep an open mind throughout the show and found myself quite surprised upon witnessing the undeniable skills these local musicians possess. Meanwhile, most of tonight's highlights were the brand new tunes from the band's most recent release, which were very warmly received by the generally older crowd who seemed to be fairly familiar with the band.

Urban rhythm and blues sounds of the '40s and '50s are the most obvious influences that The Streamliners display - think Louisiana swamp and Detroit and Chicago blues. Meanwhile, vocalist Nic Kapridis clearly possesses all the talent and confidence of a man who has spent the last 15 years on the stage performing to a wide variety of audiences.

While there is an unmistakable sense of professionalism and precision about this band, and while this can more often than not be an advantage for any act, in this case it perhaps seems to go a little overboard. From time to time you could be forgiven for thinking that the band are not really soaking in the atmosphere nor enjoying themselves all that much and it can all appear a little too rehearsed and mechanical. The biggest disappointment, however, comes in the form of the overwhelming amount of American influences The Streamliners can often display - there is simply nothing at all Australian about their sound nor feel.

Probably the most important thing to keep in mind, however, is that the crowd gathered here tonight to celebrate the launch of 'Under The Moondogs' are having a good night, with many a foot tapping to the oh-so-catchy tunes this band is capable of producing.

Although not the most incredible of live performances, it certainly seems to have made for a pretty satisfying Friday night for many of the punters who showed up for the launch.

Nina Bertok