Clairy Browne & the Bangin’ Rackettes

Clairy Browne & the Bangin’ Rackettes

If you have never heard of Clairy Browne & the Bangin’ Rackettes, I’m guessing that you soon will. The band, from Melbourne Australia, made a worldwide splash when they appeared in a popular international Heineken commercial, “The Switch,” which utilized their captivating single “Love Letter.” The commercial features Clairy (obviously channeling Amy Winehouse in the bit) and her ensemble, as part of a dive bar that (because of Heineken) magically transforms in to a swinging R&B joint. The clip has racked up over 1 million hits on YouTube because it’s very entertaining (even though it is a commercial).

While Browne’s soulful voice, combined with the baritone sax of Darcy McNulty and choreographed moves by the harmonizing Bangin’ Rackettes Ruby Jones, Loretta Miller and Camilla does evoke images of the late singer-songwriter, the up-tempo doo-wop and pop that they inject makes it a sound all their own. Powerful, soulful, funky and happy. Music that just forces you to shuffle your feet and get your dance on. I must admit I was boogeying down while I took the photos, which may explain why I got so many blurry images! Browne’s stage presence and banter, plus the crowd (which had many of the bands dance moves Down!), also served to set the mood and “happy time” feel.

While my introduction to Clairy Browne & the Bangin Rackettes came toward the end of their tour (at the Troubadour concert in West Hollywood), had I seen their act sooner, I definitely would have caught more shows. One song in particular, the song that made me an instant “fan” of the band is “Too Far Away.” Some songs just grab you with the first listen (remember “Don’t Worry, Be Happy?”) and “Too Far Away” is one of them.

The nine piece outfit, which recently signed with Vanguard Records, is just finishing up a twenty-one date, eleven state (plus D.C.) tour of the U.S. It began at SXSW in March and concludes April 12th at the Rickshaw in San Francisco. Their debut album “Baby Caught the Bus” drops May 21st.

I look forward to the next time this talented group of singers and musicians make the trek back to the States, as I will surely be getting in on more of their brand of music. Their “brand” being a diverse fusion of musical genres that includes doo-wop, R&B, funk, jazz, soul and more. That, combined with Clairy’s personality, band theatrics and that “happy time” feel makes for a concert I could (and will) attend again, and again.

Now if I could only learn some of those dance moves…

Photos and review by: John G. Tobin