Photos: Taken on my iPhone just ’cause.

I was pulled in a few directions on Saturday with popular local bands playing the same night as Kingswood.

Whyyyyy do all the bands you want to see have to clash on the same night?

Three popular punk bands – Chamber Lane, Catching Salmon and Pricey – were all going head-to-head at Nambour’s newest venue, The Presynct.

But also, Kingswood!

The four-piece, Melbourne alt-country rock outfit were set to grace the stage at Ocean Street’s Solbar at Maroochydore.

And nothing was going to stop me from missing them. After all, I could catch the other local lads any time. Sigh.

That said, I still went to The Presynct and met half of them in the car park. And managed to catch the first half of Chamber Lane. Not all was lost. Just brilliant!

But more about Kingswood, my new fave band

I became a fan of Kingswood literally overnight.

And I have Yelo photographer Ben Russoniello to thank for throwing them on the local music rag’s radar. (He has good taste).

“Did you see Kingswood is coming!?” Ben tells me excitedly at The Rubens‘ Kings Beach Tavern gig.

“You have to see this band. Live especially. They might even be the best band I have ever seen live.”

Huge call, Ben.

But when someone makes a statement like that you kinda take notice.

Driving home from The Rubens that night, I threw Kingswood on Spotify. And without realising it I’d listened to them the whole 30 minutes home.

“Um, what the hell is up with that bass!? Damn!” I pondered on my garage’s arrival.

This band debuting in my ear drums, had a country rock grit that made me think Ben was onto something. And I was here for all of it.

Front row viewing is the only way to watch your besties

Naturally, being the competitive weirdo that I am, I decided I had to become an overnight legit Kingswood fan.

So that when I saw them in two weeks, I could stand front and centre – singalong style – and experience the band like a true devoted groupie. And not just as the low-key punter that I really am.

I don’t know why (maybe I need a life) but I wanted to soak up all the sweat, blood and tears from the fans’ perspective. I wanted to be in the thick of it as they watched their Kingswood gods in all their glory.

To witness all the finger-tapping goods and catch any slip-ups if there were any. Like when the drummer randomly grins and you know that they all know something you don’t know. Like I’d notice anyway.

Not when they are this slick, professional, and technically very bloody good.

There’s two lead vocalists.

Fergus Linacre is the band’s official frontman, and kicked off the show with songs “Ohio”, “Golden” and “Big City”. But then there’s Alex Laska, who does the lion’s share of the songwriting. And he shares a good whack of the stage presence with his cowboy swagger and sultry looks.

He leads the more country-esque songs (I think). Remember I’m only a fortnight-strong fan here.

These two rock n’ roll hipsters are band originals. And come complete with two more nice-looking players on drums and bass.

Some exceptionally nice looking country folk

This was obviously not the band’s first rodeo, as they held the audience in the palms of their hands. Then taking turns to blow us away with their instrumental precision and prowess, hauntingly exquisite lyrics, and sophisticated showmanship.

The Melbourne Grammar School alumni lads formed in 2007. And Kingswood has since released seven studio albums. “The Tale of G.C.Townes” is their last, and where they appear to have really flexed their country sensibility.

The only sad part for me was they didn’t play my favourite song from that record, “Glass is Half Full”. But that is what happens when you go to see a band which has a 16-year music catalogue.

In 2016, they spent time in Nashville to record their second album, “After Hours, Close To Dawn”. And this is where “Creepin'” and their most successful hits to date were born. It’s also my second all-time fave of theirs (turn it up and wait for that distorted bass-line to kick in!). And they absolutely smashed it.

All the songs from this band are incredible.

Pure Australian talent I am definitely eager to see again

I absolutely loved seeing Kingswood live. They played all their hit songs, we danced, the punters loved it, and we all went home happy.

They even invited us to their tour bus to continue the party, which I almost considered. But the reality of parenting life beckoned me.

A special shout out to “Ruby” who saw I was alone and wanted to be my insta-bestie. She introduced me to all her friends. While her long hair spent the evening dipping into my Coke Zero. But that was the least of my problems because she was just so damn cool.

I skipped back to my car that night with my music cup full. And. I. Was. Buzzing.

I was alive.

And it sure was a nice release from my mummy brain. Thank you, Kingswood.