The Chats @ Neighborhood Theater

I know it has only been 7 months since I drove up to Asheville, and I'll see them again in 2 weeks at Punk Rock Bowling, but The Chats were impressive enough to see again.  And I felt compelled to support some Aussies in my adopted town.

I arrived at the Neighborhood Theater late, as we had been at the boys' school sports night, celebrating their soccer season with the school.  A change from a suit into jeans and a tshirt and I was ready to go.  The place is packed (again)!  How do people from Charlotte know about the Chats?  Not only know about them, but are into them.  Kick off happened not long after I found my spot at 9pm.

From the opening song, Namboured, the crowd was into it.  A flood of stage divers did not stop for the entire 50 minutes.  6L GTR was when it really started for me.  This is a great, fast song, and with a real Australian feel to it.  "Don't need a fancy car, just need a...six litre GTR".  I'm not sure if people knew what they were singing along to meant, but they were at full belt.  Ross River, Stinker, The Kids Need Guns (Really? Are we getting the irony of singing that song in the US?) and Ticket Inspector are so Australian.  It's great for me to have a laugh along with and at.  Eamon had his little rant before the blistering Price of Smokes.  Smoko is another great song coming at the end of the set.  But the finale, Pub Feed, sent the crowd into further overdrive.  Such a simple subject full of great Aussie pub references.  Makes me homesick.

I was a bit bummed that they only played 50 minutes, but The Chats blazed through 24 songs, each better than the last.  For me, it's great to see a newish rock band have a rabid fan base, and that they are Australian - all the better.  I hope they can have a long career.  If this show is any indication, there are a lot of people that feel the same.  Vegas in a couple of weeks should be fun.

The Chats Setlist

The Crap Facts:

This is my 504th concert.
This is my 11th concert at The Neighborhood Theater.
This is my 109th concert in Charlotte.
This is my 131st concert in North Carolina.
This is my 305th concert in the USA.
This is my 2nd Chats concert.