One of life’s pleasures is that sometimes things become little rituals and traditions without them ever intending to be so. Such is the case for me with Damian Cowell’s Disco Machine’s live gigs, nearly all of which I have attended since the band was formed in 2015. I lost touch with Cowell’s work after his legendary 80’s and 90’s anarcho-techno group TISM broke up, but he had been steadily active in that time with his bands ROOT! and DC3. Damian Cowell’s Disco Machine’s first gig at the Corner Hotel in Richmond in early 2015 was a joyous and riotous affair and although their gigs don’t occur that often, about twice a year, the party hasn’t stopped since then. I have witnessed Disco Machine’s live act evolve in that time and I am pleased to say that this being the seventh occasion and the first in a year as they played in Geelong last time, there were some new additions this time that kept the show fresh and interesting.

It’s unusual for me to witness a band’s live act evolve over time, but as happens, Damian Cowell’s Disco Machine found a groove a few years ago with the introduction of a mash up of 70’s disco songs they play at every show now which Cowell clearly loves, as they do ‘Where The F*ck’s The Vengabus?!‘ which features comic veteran and band member Tony Martin on vocals, ‘Barry Gibb Came Fourth in A Barry Gibb Lookalike Competition’ from their second album, ‘Get Yer Dag On!‘ and their tongue in cheek ode to the fate of 90’s pop group S Club 7. They did a Eurovision-themed show at the Northcote Social Club a couple of years ago and for their first three years did an end of year Christmas show, one of which occured in the Great Hall atDisco Machine at the Northcote social club. the National Gallery of Victoria as part of their Friday night music and exhibition series and was a great way to spend an evening along with a David Hockney exhibition.

It became a brief tradition for three years to go and see Disco Machine’s Christmas shows, the first of which was their second ever gig in Melbourne, once again at the Corner Hotel at the end of 2015, which was a very warming way to see in Christmas with a twist and a perfect opportunity for Damian Cowell’s Disco Machine to play the very Christmasy and amusing ‘I Hope You Get Laid For Christmas‘. This time around, the band all wore matching red shirts, Cowell with a red cap on his head, they introduced a couple of new songs, and played a slightly revised version of the late 90’s TISM favourite ‘Whatareya?‘ for the first time since those days, where the line “you’re a wanker!” became “yob or wanker?!” and from which point Cowell examined the relative pros and cons of people’s choices between being a yob or wanker. A few more brief snippets from late 80’s TISM greats were inserted into a new Kylie Minogue satire, such as ‘I’m Interested In Apathy‘ and ‘Saturday Night Palsy‘.

Cowell’s often hilarious banter this time covered sending up the fact that it was a Wednesday night, being ANZAC Day eve, and the fact that we were all old farts up before our bedtimes, getting us all to chant “Wednesday night! Wednesday night!” on a couple of occasions to humourous effect. There were a couple of quips thrown in about Clive Palmer running for Parliament again, and the idea that he could be considered a real politician, mirthfully enough. The only thing I could say is in the earlier shows, Cowell and band played a lot of good and fun songs from their first album which the were promoting at the time, such as ‘Groovy Toilet‘ and ‘Jesus Christ Barista‘. They’re pretty good songs and sometimes I think it would be nice to hear them performed every now and then, the group have a lot of good material to choose from. But no matter, it’s going to be a good show, whatever they choose to play.

Damian Cowell’s Disco Machine are a band of excellent musicians who play with a lot of energy, they’re really well-rehearsed and this makes for a high-spirited and energetic show. One of the great pleasures of their shows is that for all of Cowell’s angst and biting social commentary, they also have a very groovy late 80’s, culturally and musically savvy party vibe to them too. Which takes me right back to that era and I know because I am old enough to have been there, which I was, and this freewheeling, easygoing, unashamedly pop but good-naturedly tongue-in-cheek, energy and savvy social commentary is a godsend. The band are really well put together as well, with their two lively, animated female backing singers at either side of the stage really adding some oomph to the overall stage presence and musical delivery, with the band rocking out behind them. Another fine show and another great night from Damian Cowell’s Disco Machine.