Alex Cameron a fantastic show full of intrigue sex and sax
written by Scotty Evil
An Australian artist promoted by an American label called “Secretly Canadian” swaggered to a sold-out Imperial in downtown Vancouver on a chilly Tuesday evening.
Alex Cameron however took the opportunity to showcase one of his Aussie mates (a last minute decision) as he added Jack Ladder as a first opener. Ladder was understated in his delivery, using a backing track and playing a Fender Strat, heavy on the vibrato. His low gravelly voice is reminiscent of an early Bruce Springsteen.
Austin-based chanteuse Molly Burch followed, accompanied by two guitarists and delivered an intoxicating performance full of longing and heartache. While sweet and flawless in her delivery, I found myself waiting and longing for just one song to kick it up a notch or two. Much like a dessert buffet, it was achingly sweet with no respite to accent the tone in the room.
And then Alex Cameron came onstage with his full band, including Jack Ladder on electric guitar. The audience was immediately transported back to the early 80’s with his stage-strutting and posturing, hips forward and hair slicked back.
“He looks like Bowie, he sings like Bowie…if he had a decent band behind him he’d totally break out” quipped a fellow in the crowd. I had to disagree however; the keyboards of Holiday Sidewinder and saxophone of Roy Molloy were the shady hotel room to his overflowing ashtray of lust and loss.
The crowd was quick to sing along, jammed body to body on the small Imperial floor. And then the tech difficulties caused a snag in the flow of things. Five guitar patch cord changes and a battery change later…his acoustic guitar still refused to give up notes loud enough to be played.
“I just wanted to play some guitar is all. It’s frustrating but I’m done with it,” he said, finally getting through “Candy May” without it, and for the rest of the night. The crowd frankly didn’t care.
“RUNNING OUT OF LUCK” an excited fan requested from the front of the stage, and Cameron obliged. The second star of the night went to Roy Molloy and his grungy saxophone, elicitating cheers with every song it was featured on.
Alex Cameron delivered a fantastic show full of intrigue, sex and sax. His dedicated audience lapped it up. I personally look forward to his next studio effort. Maybe he will find another word for “pussy” in his Thesaurus this time.
5/5
written by Scotty Evil / photos by Red Lenses Photography
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