There seem to have been so many gigs in Melbourne in the last few weeks. And I am not complaining. I’d been wanting to see Reg Mombassa in action. I’ve listened to Dog Trumpet on CD but until the 4th hadn’t had the chance to see him in action.

Reg Mombassa at the Brunswick Ballroom Nov 4, 2023

Reg, for those of you not familiar came to Australia with his family as a 17-year old in 1969. He’d been born in Auckland where he had played a few gigs before he left. He is of course best known for his years in the Mentals (Mental As Anything). Dog Trumpet was formed in 1991 by Reg & his brother Peter. Both are songwriters & both contribute to the large Dog Trumpet catalogue.

Spectrum at Memo on the 12th were on fire. The Brenden Mason effect has now been maximized. He joined a few years ago & yesterday at various stages was at the front of the stage adding powerfully to the Spectrum songs. They delivered the songs I expected (like ‘Esmeralda’), added in rarely heard tracks like ‘New Pair of Socks’ & gave us an extended version of ‘Good Advice’. Mike is now 78. Yet he showed us some very nimble, flexible moves. And for the last few songs he abandoned his guitar, to play harmonica & sing.