The Vasco Era Announce Final 2012 Show

It’s not even mid year yet, but The Vasco Era are saying goodbye to 2012 with a final show at Melbourne’s Corner Hotel.

The band’s vocalist Sid O’Neil is planning to recharge his mind, body, and soul with an extended European vacation, so The Vasco Era are giving him a proper send off. They promise some special guest bands will join them so it should be quite a party.

If you want to send Sid off in style make sure you get down to the Corner Hotel on June 22. Tickets are on sale now from the venue.

Image used with permission from Riot House Publicity

The Vasco Era – The Vasco Era

Last week The Vasco Era released their third album, a self titled effort that marks their independent debut. It’s impressive to hear the Melbourne band are going it alone, but on listening to it I wonder whether they need that record company guidance.

It all started out so promisingly with the opening track “Nah Nah Nah.” I loved the crunchy guitars and all those delicious melodic hooks. The vocals weren’t pretty, but I warmed to their Dylanesque charm. You get the sense that Sid O’Neil means what he sings, and that authenticity initially compelled me.

But as the disc wore on, the elements that were initially fun started to grate. All too often those impassioned vocals and wailing guitars just started to create a whole lot of noise. The band is at its best when it’s reined in. The stripped back “Chemicals Run Out,” for example, is stunning. But all too often the music is too unrestrained, and then it hurt my ears.

This album shows The Vasco Era are a band with a whole lot of potential, but they need to learn what works best for them, and what is merely self indulgent.

The Vasco Era & Papa vs Pretty Join Forces

To celebrate the October 14 release of their self-titled album, The Vasco Era are joining Sydney’s Papa vs Pretty for one big tour.

Papa vs Pretty are still riding high on the May release of their debut United in Isolation, so the time seems right for the joint venture. Special guests will join the bands at the following shows, so you’re getting plenty of musical value for your dollar. Tickets are on sale now.

26 October 2011 – ANU Bar, Canberra
27 October 2011 – Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle
28 October 2011 – Manning Bar, Sydney
29 October 2011 – Coolangatta Hotel, Coolangatta
30 October 2011 – The Zoo, Brisbane
10 November 2011 – Prince of Wales, Bunbury
11 November 2011 – Rosemount Hotel, Perth
12 November 2011 – Mojo’s, Fremantle
19 November 2011 – Brisbane Hotel, Hobart
23 November 2011 – Karova Lounge, Ballarat
24 November 2011 – The Hi Fi, Melbourne
25 November 2011 – The Bended Elbow, Geelong
26 November 2011 – Adelaide Uni Bar, Adelaide

Image used with permission from Riothouse Publicity