Words and Photographs by Jordan Newton
As Enmore Theatre filled with red mist as Ennio Morricone's
Il Vizio Di Uccidere started playing, so too began The Legend of Black Betty.
Soon after, Janet English walked on stage, followed by Damien Whitty and finally Kram taking up positions (Kram on vocals, Janet in bass drum and Damien on acoustic guitar) to begin a slow, stripped down, wild western acoustic version of Black Betty. What hit me first was how electric and rough Kram's voice was. 20 years of madness have not altered or worn out the Finley born drummer's voice. Almost as accurate to when the trio released their 2004 album "Tonight Alright" featuring the Leadbelly blues work song and Ram Jam track, Black Betty.
Left to right: Damien Whitty, Janet English and Kram
"I can't believe it's been 20 years since we released Black Betty and it went number one… The whole ride has been so awesome and was so unexpected." - Kram
Things amplified as the band shuffled their positions with Janet on bass guitar, Damien in electric guitar and Kram on drums to perform their "drag racing" setlist including Straight Through The Sun, Outta My Head and Shazam. The energy from the band reverted onto the crowd them jumping around, throwing empty cans on the stage and running around like headless chickens. Not to mention a wall of death forming in the centre of the theatre.
Spiderbait wanted to make sure every ounce of energy was drained from the alcohol fuelled crowd by saving their famous hit till the end of the show.
Spiderbait Setlist:
Black Betty (Lead Belly cover) (Acoustic version, Whitt on guitar, Janet on drums).
Straight Through the Sun
Outta My Head
Shazam!
Jesus
Monty
Chest Hair
Hot Water & Milk
Cows
Tonite (20th anniversary re-release version with fuzz outro and shared vocals by Janet and Kram.)
By the Time I Get to Howlong (Semi-acoustic version, Kram on acoustic guitar, Janet on harmonica, and Kram's daughter on cello.)
Glockenpop
Fucken Awesome
Old Man Sam
In This City
Sam Gribbles
Run (The Goodies Cover)
Scenester
Footy
F*cken Ace
Buy Me A Pony (Janet on drums)
Boy Me A Pony (Original version with Krams Son on drums and Janet on Bass)
Calypso
ENCORE:
Circle K
Ace of Spades (Motorhead cover)
Black Betty (Spiderbait version)
Photo Gallery:
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