It’s not that often you go to a show knowing exactly what the setlist will be. But for many punters, it’s this knowledge that’s cemented their excitement for today’s matinee at The Corner Hotel.
On paper, it looks mouthwatering. A bunch of Australia’s most gifted musicians assembling to celebrate The Rolling Stones’ 1973 appearance at Kooyong, all the while paying homage to some of the greatest rock ‘n’ roll tunes ever written.
Calling themselves The Monkey Men, today’s Stones impersonators are an iconic lot in their own right.
There’s You Am I guitarist Davey Lane, Even man and renowned gun-for-hire Ash Naylor, his bandmate Matthew Cotter behind the kit, and Tex Perkins’ associate Stephen Cotter on bass. And out front, none other than Tim Rogers.
Since the early 90s, Rogers has established himself as one of this country’s most flamboyant musicians. He’s a ‘rockstar’ in the traditional sense of the word, and while we’re used to see his gangly frame accompanied by a guitar, he looks just as comfortable without one, flailing his lanky limbs with his usual knockabout charm.
As the gig MC and Cherry Bar owner, James Young later points out, it’s hard to think of anyone better suited to playing Mick Jagger than Tim Rogers.
Opening with “Brown Sugar”, The Monkey Men start off a little slow but by the second chorus, all guns are well and truly firing. The dual guitar onslaught of Lane and Naylor (playing Keef and Mick Taylor respectively) will prove to be one of the many highlights of today’s show.
The classics come thick and fast. “Bitch” and “Rocks Off” are wonderfully recreated in all their horn-laden glory. “Gimme Shelter” features a spine tingling vocal solo from Talei Wolfgramm, while the slow building epic “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” is downright majestic.
Davey Lane shows off his chops on the Keith Richards-sung “Happy”, while fellow Exile On Main St. cut “Tumbling Dice” is jokingly introduced by Rogers’ as “one from the new album.”
“Midnight Rambler” is a great Rogers and Lane (Mick and Keef) moment and “Jumpin Jack Flash” ends the set proper with aplomb. Just as it was in ’73, the encore is a bone-crushing rendition of “Street Fighting Man”.
Some might say it’s hard to go wrong with songs as good as these. But the big dumb smile on Tim Rogers’ face tells you those on the stage are as in love with these tunes as anyone in the crowd.
All in all, a fitting celebration of one of the most important rock concerts in Australian history.
