The Vagrants

If you're a Melbournian,and haven't seen a Vagrants gig, you're doing yourself a disservice . Seriously.
They've been a long staple of this city's live seen ,for good reason: they're fun as hell.The Vagrants are one of those bands that can transcend a setting: whether it's quiet night at the Espy, or a rainy
afternoon at the Greyhound, there's just no way not to get your arse off your seat and stomp your feet to these five pop thrashers.

"If you're gonna sit there, lean against the wall and wait for things to happen, nothing's gonna happen," explains guitarist Steve Iorio. "Get off of your fucking chair and get out and have some fun."

He continues, grinning. quoting the band's track Let's Party. "drop your pants/Get your arse bare/Sahke it on the dance floor/Like you just don't care"

True to their name, the band just got back From their third European tour in as many years - and theIr itinerary was no slouch, either, featuring Hollnad, Denmark as well as Germany's epic Popkomm festival.

"As a matter of fact I was kinda surprised that more things didn't go wrong," smiles Iorio, "A few things did happen, but they didnt' take any momentum away from anything."
What did happen then?
"I ripped my bicep."he shrugs,understated as you like. "Occupational health and safety is not issue over there," Iorio laughs. They don't have an issue with occupational hazards in the Czech Republic.
"They gad a staircase coming off the stage, made out of that polished wood stuff and it was wet from people spilling shit on it, 'cos they were all pissed. There's no railings on the stairs and I'm carrying an amp down with one hands, and .." Ouch.
"It fucking hurt, holy shit. That really hurt." the guitarist reminisces. "I had a bruise that went from the middle of my habd, almost to my shoulder. It was black. The width of my forearm Black."
Doctors wanted to operate on Iorio's elbow. Of course such notabilities haven't stopped the guitarist one iota. "If you do that, you're playing with nerve endings, and for a guitarist thats a 'no'" he explains.
Iorio's job-on-the-side? Heavy mattress lifting and delivery. Badass.

So, is this the energy that gives The Vagrants that ballsy live, je ne sais quoi? "I really don't know!" laughs the guitarist. "We've got a real spark between us. You have to pick the right people.
"You can see people" he adds, "even guys at the top of their game that once had great shows, that no longer do. When you see someone on stage, and they're not feeling it, you just know" he says.

"I think i fwe ever get to that point. we'd have to cut down the gigs or change the sound. The spark is really there." Iorio muses..
"We're constantly writing new stuff and everybody in the band has a real input into the sound of the band. A lot of bands are run by one person, and it's really hard - I think - to motivate people to be creative, if you're not letting them be creative."

Launching their latest efort Be True this Thursday night at The Espy ("Evryone's got to get down, shake their asses and get messy!" he pipes ), the band knows their in good company. "Whenever The Vagrants are headlining, I will look for really diverse bands to play with, so that, you know, people don't get bored-they dont wanna see the same thing four times in a row." explains Iorio.

"The other thing is, I always try and find bands that are better than me and better looking. Better musicians. Better Looking. Better band," he laughs. "That's my quest in life." "When support bands kick arse, we have to get out there and fucking hit it hard. It motivates you to have even more fun."

The Vagrants launch their awesome new album Be True ( out now through BlindBeatroot ) with two big shows this week - first off in the Espy front bar with Asleep in the Park, Lamplight and Nat Allison on Thursday December 18, then at Ruby's Lounge on Friday December 19. Get along to see one of Melbourne's best live acts boogie the shit out of you.

- Beat Review - Adam Baidawi