By CHERIE DONNELLAN
PUNK rockers The Go Set has the pick of choice for reasons to celebrate when they hit Barwon Club’s stage on Sunday.
It was 10 years ago that The Go Set first formed in Geelong, but with members now spread throughout the country, it’ll be a homecoming as well as an anniversary.
The Go Set will also reunite with Canadian band The Real McKenzies, with whom the Geelong rockers first toured.
Frontman Justin Keenan believed the band had evolved since its first tour.
He said he was “embarrassed” The Go Set originally sounded “Americanised” or British but claimed the rock quintet had “reclaimed” its Australian “identity”.
Keenan admitted typical Celtic instruments still dominated.
“We have bagpipes, fiddles and tin whistles in our sound but we sing with Aussie accents now.”
As children, Keenan and his bandmates were exposed to what they then condsidered “daggy” Celtic folk music.
But the folk music influence, instrumentally and lyrically, became pivotal to the band’s punk sound.
Keenan contended folk and punk music – particularly in the sense of “protest music” – had the same origins.
“If you dressed punks differently, slowed down the beats and got rid of the distortion sounds you get folk music. Their attitudes are so similar.”
Keenan said the band initially believed few people would enjoy The Go Set’s fusion of “high energy” rock with traditional instruments and politically-charged lyrics.
But the group continued to successfully tour Europe and Australia for gigs and festivals throughout their decade of playing.
Keenan said playing to his hometown audience was like “playing at our own house party”.
“It has a different energy when you play for people you know and love.
“We’ll have the whole day to hang out.”
Ticket giveaway: The Go Set will play from 2pm on 1 September at Barwon Club. The band is offering two lucky people double passes each to watch them play (each valued at $50).
Visit Geelong Independent’s Facebook page and write “I want The Go Set tickets” to have a shot at winning.
