:: Strip For Cash - Gertrude's - May 2007

By: Mark Rasmussen

After releasing what turned out to be my favourite album for the year last year, I hadn't had a chance to see Strip For Cash (SFC) live since. A year down the track and with their self-titled debut album firmly etched into my memory, it was with much anticipation that I made my way to Gertrude's Brown Couch, a venue I had never been before.

Firstly, Gertrude's was brilliant - a funky, little place that was as cosy as it was friendly and would make the ideal “local”. The reason I bring this up though, is that it was the perfect setting for an incredibly intimate gig. And that's exactly what Strip For Cash did! They played in a very relaxed setting, couches and all, and although the crowd was small in size, was very appreciative of a band who handle their craft extremely well.

Main band member and lead singer, Nick Batterham (formerly of The Earthmen), introduced many new songs, which served merely to whet the appetite. With mood inducing tunes, reminiscent of the coolest indie soundtracks, SFC displayed an array of beautiful tunes mixed with some slightly rockier numbers. They even had time to play a few older songs pre-SFC days. Playing only two songs from last year's album, this was a night in which to reveal their latest works. A few songs ended rather abruptly but in a night where the set list got lost amid crowd requests, it didn't matter.

While disappointed not to hear more songs from their self-titled album, the new material was enough to bring a smile to my face and a warm glow to my heart. Let's hope more people soon discover the delights of not only this exceptionally talented act but Gertrude's, a venue fit for the finest of musical exponents and perfectly suited for the brilliance of Strip For Cash!