The beauty of being a music obsessive is that no matter how much music you listen to there is always going to be more. At times you are gluttonous, and other times you need to rest and fast. You don’t delve into the new releases as much and you lean on old friends. Those records that evoke a moment and take you back are cherished. As are those bands, and Cordrazine was living a beautiful moment last night.
Cordrazine only has a short history for this listener. My loving partner turned me onto a band when we met during that pandemic thing that passed through the world. It locked us down like a champion here in Naarm. Cordrazine floated through the landscape of our early times, discovering our love and the enforced celebration of our lucky incarceration.
Cordrazine reformed once again for their 25th anniversary show at The Howler in November of 2022. Yes, I had recognised the beauty in the tracks, but the Codrazine live experience that evening blew me away. Hamish Cowan’s voice is beautiful. Cowan has a depth of emotion in his vocal delivery that goes beyond the lyrics. He may be singing about existential crisis, otherwise known as life, but the words at times matter little. You are moved just by the soundwaves produced by his vocals.
You can compare Cowan to Jeff Buckley or Jimmy Sommerville if you need to draw those lines. Comparisons are only just that. His vocal gymnastics and delivery live are mesmerising. Cordrazine consists of Cowan, Rohan Heddle on drums, Nick Batterham on guitars, Jethro Woodward on bass, and Sam Holloway on keys. They make a marvellous racket.
This was billed as the final Cordrazine gig. You long-term fans have seen Hamish Cowan step away from the band before. He has spoken about his anxiety and stress before performing live, and that it carries over to the stage. If you had no prior knowledge of this issue, you would not be aware of it when Cowan performs.
Feelings were all over the Northcote Social Club as the gig came to a close. A chapter is now finished. The river keeps flowing and we never know exactly what will be around the bend. We know the only constant is change. Fame and fortune may have slipped through the grasp of Cordrazine and Cowan, but you all know that is not what makes music treasured. That act of humans conspiring to delve into the cracks and crevices of life and taking the step to share the art with others is the magic.
Sadness may have overcome many as the last notes of Cordrazine reverberated through the band room. But like moths to a light we were drawn to the stage once again to bask in the brilliance of the captivating art shared last night. Our wings were filled with warmth and joy and we know, and hope that the band know, that sharing their magic is all that was ever required.
And that’s all we could ever want.
Our hearts have once again been stimulated….But I guess it is time to leave.
