Tim McMillan/ Alias & The Jams
Friday 24 July
The Wheatsheaf Hotel


After seemingly endless weeks with an arctic-like chill in the air Radelaide finally managed to produce a bright, sunny day on Friday, and what’s more it led to a comfortably mild evening. I’ve always enjoyed the atmosphere at The Wheatsheaf’s Tin Shed on Sunday afternoons, but this was my first visit on a weeknight and I must say it has quite the romantic feel when the fairy lights are in full flicker.

First up were Alias & The Jams, briefly back in A-Town with their faithful Combi on one of their regular adventures from Melbourne. This group is one of the hardest-working bands I know of, and after arriving earlier in the day with family and support crew in tow the band had already played with Katt Beames at Bliss that evening and might have been forgiven for being a bit burned out by the 9.30 start time. But true to form their set was a familiar high-energy affair, the trio producing some pretty epic instrumentals in what was sadly bassist Aaron’s last gig. I certainly hope that Alias and Cam can stick at it through because they’d be sorely missed members of the local roots scene.

After all, I have Alias to thank for introducing me to the nights other feature, the relatively unheralded Melbourne act Tim McMillan Band. “Relatively unheralded” only applies to the trio’s exposure in Adelaide, because they already have quite a large following back home (and in Germany, of all places). Tim seemed like a quietly unassuming sort of chap on first impression, but from the moment he opened with an acoustic rendition of Ice Cube circa 1994 mashed with Metallica, I was hooked. The group have coined the genre “goblincore”, a paradox of subtle vocals and death roars, mesmerising acoustics, smashed drums and tight bass chords, Fragma’s trance anthem I Need A Miracle and Genuwine’s Ride My Pony.

As the name might suggest, "goblincore" seems to pride itself on well-executed and concealed trickery. The uninformed listener might be hard pressed to recognise the combined influences of Kylie Minogue and Super Mario Bros. in the same song, but to those who click it’s a sheer delight to hear. McMillan is a masterful guitarist seamlessly blending a multitude of notes, pitches and chords rarely heard in an acoustic set. His onstage chemistry with bassist Brad and drummer Crutey was hugely endearing and really helped to convey the witty personality of their music.

I’ve watched a lot of musicians attempt to the push the comfort zone of their audience only to flail before crashing into a pool of self deprecation which only repulses the listener more. But where others fail the bravado, cheek, artistry and sheer balls of a "goblincore" live show is awe-inspiring. My biggest disappointment of the night was that Tim had given away the last copy of the band’s album earlier in the night, but it was most original, entertaining and completely badass live set I’ve seen in a very long time.

Ryan Winter
dB Magazine