Overview
They call themselves "the world's most awesomemest" comedy rock band and yes it's true The Axis of Awesome did pack out the caberet-style round table seating of Auckland Town Hall's Concert Chamber with punters keen to experience the high energy Australian band first hand.
Vocalist Jordan Raskopoulos is quick to establish himself as the band's lead. In the first song Jordan rides a fire-breathing dragon while Benny Davis on keyboard and vocals is told he has to ride a chicken. Benny cops a whole lot of flak for his small statue from Benny and the slightly dim-witted third band member, Lee Naimo. Lee plays guitar and does a great impression of a rapper with a low down deep voice.
Several of the band's songs make fun of the unoriginality of commerical music; This is how you write a love song is hilarious as is their huge youtube hit Four Chords, which illustrates how so many popular songs essentially sound the same. A few of their songs are a bit hit and miss though. Song for the Elderly in which a senile old man ends up living in Jordan's house is more sad than funny.
They save the best till last with Can you hear the fucking music coming out of my car? There's something hugely therapeutic about watching these "boys" jump up and down on stage mocking boyracers and their ridiculously loud stereos. "It's Friday night, it's party night..bitches in the front seat, crumping, humping" - these lines could come straight out a generic hip hop song but then Lee goes, "all you other MCs, you ain't got nothing, my rhymes so tight yeah, something something."
When these guys get it right their songs which parody youth culture are tightly orchestrated and hugely witty. The banter they have with each other, unfortunately, is just as scripted. I would've liked to have seen a bit more improv and audience interaction from the band which boasts two National Theatre Sports Champs. Overall though, an entertaining show; very tongue in cheek, clever and dynamic.