Revert
Revert, formerly on Alexandra Street, opposite Altitude, was just another Htown niteclub catering to the shiny shirted boys and boob tube girls of Hamilton's mainstream night-life, though with a superficially more 'classy' veneer when compared to the likes of the Outback or the Loaded Hog. The standard musical fare was the popular dancefloor standards of the time, such as Kylie Minogue and Robbie Williams, but on two occassions Revert made forays into live music with interesting results.
Die Die Die, late 2004
In late 2004, Revert hosted a gig by Auckland spazz-rockers Die Die Die, supported by abrasive punk harpies the Coolies, as the finale of Wintec's Spark Festival. Those punters who knew a) the style of the bands, and b) the style of the bar went along knowing it would be an interesting night, some even suspecting it to be a prank on the bar, the bands and/or the audience. Sullen and scruffy rock types tried not to mingle with the peacock-like regular clientele, unfortunately unable to get stuck into the booze due to the bar's outrageous prices. Within five seconds of the Coolies set, which lasted for about five minutes, the jock-proffesional and pub-slut regulars had swiftly exited with revolted and perplexed expressions on their pretty faces.
A good size crowd assembled for Die Die Die who, finding themselves in such an alien environment, made their set as abrasive as possible. After one song the bar staff and bouncers were apoplectic with rage at this disregard for their sophisticated clientele and the bar's carefully managed and marketed atmosphere. After a few songs the bouncers ended this subversion by cutting the power to Die Die Die's PA, inspiring cheers and celebration from the band and their audience, before a Kylie Minogue dance remix was started to drive them out.
The Black Seeds, February, 2005
Revert was on safer ground in February 2005 with the much more accessible Black Seeds, though the gig was spoiled for many of the Black Seeds' fans by extortionate door sales of $40 (compared to the advertised $20 price, leading to accusations that Revert was ripping off the band) and the usual clash of cultures when rock, reggae or otherwise 'alternative' bands play in wanky niteclubs.
Revert has since fallen victim to the vagaries of Hamilton mainstream night-life fashions; it is unlikely anyone remotely interested in live music misses it.
External Links
Photos: Die! Die! Die! @ Revert
Photos: The Black Seeds @ Revert
