Things are slowly winding down in the Rat as Christmas is less than a month away, but the acts keep coming thick and fast. Country meets folk with the wholesome Melbourne duo Pierce Brothers coming to town to play at Karova Lounge on December 2. Having toured the UK, Europe, Canada, U.S.A and their native Australia, they are bound to set tongues wagging all over town. Their 2017 release My Tired Mind has some interesting tracks on it and ‘Hold Your Fire’ struck me as the most appealing track on the album. They have put out a few sweet albums these lads and the warmth in their vocal sound certainly gets the listener in. It might just be the right way to kick off summer with a few coldies and some chill out tunes. $33 to get in which is getting up there, but I reckon it’s worth a punt on a Saturday night in the Rat.
You can catch Josh Pyke a week later when he plays one of his last shows for a while, as he goes on a hiatus for some time next year. He will be midway through a regional tour when he arrives in Ballarat, so he should be in fine form. Amazing that Memories & Dust was released 10 years ago in 2007. It only feels like yesterday! Clearly The Beatles and Bob Dylan were on high rotation through Pyke’s life as a young lad. He is easy to listen to and has always been a great lyricist. This one is $30 to get in, which is pretty reasonable I reckon.
The Freight Bar continue to do things well, as they serve consistently delicious food and provide excellent service with their friendly staff. Plenty of variety on the menu here folks and the beer taps have a great selection to choose from. The Athletic Brewery, which adjoins the pub, is continuing to go ahead in leaps and bounds with a new brewer about to start over the next few weeks, getting the summer froffies happening. Sunday sessions are a happening thing out on the deck and they have been going off lately.
Frenzal Rhomb are heading our way in early Feb. They have been doing punk rock for quite some time now and the High Vis High Tea Tour will land in the Rat on a Saturday night… in summer. Sounds like that gig will be a hoot!
Written by Glen Anderson
