By Lara Martineaux

SYDNEY -- Left-wing music isn't dead -- it's alive and kicking in a little hotel, the British Lion, in Glebe. The scene: a group of friends gathering in as Peter Hicks and the Born Again Pagans finish setting up. The first set: rockin', folk blues -- pumping out good rock beats with strong lyrics about life in the capitalist system.

Topics like unemployment and Third World oppression given a human touch. You can feel the soul in the tightness of the instruments working together along with the taut harmony arrangements backing Peter Hicks' expressive voice. His singing gets better every time I hear it.

The second set is more relaxed as more people arrive and the band turn their hand to acoustic instruments. A couple of brilliant parodies on the current leaders of the mainstream parties gets a good laugh, then some mellow Celtic songs from Mike Ahearn on guitar and later Miguel Heatwole utilising his clear tenor voice on an a cappella song.

The third set is back to electric instruments, this time with the fun element still intact. Funky raps about the Tasmanian gay laws. John Ross' wailing saxophone crying about love gone right and wrong. Even a bit of tongue in cheek C & W flavour in the mix. The crowd are really getting into it now; it's a happening thing.

I spoke to Peter about the why the gig was going so well. “Well, there's a real mixture of people -- there's just the ordinary punters who have come in for a drink and stay because of the good vibes. And then there's the people who have come along specifically to hear us play: people who enjoy good music and like to know that they aren't going to have to put up with a heap of dud lyrics just to hear a good band play.”

I can't help but agree -- this band have some of the best lyrics going and combine it with some great musicianship. I strongly suggest that Sydneysiders check them out on Thursday September 22 and 29 at the British Lion. It's free. Or at the benefit for Cuba at the Landsdowne on Wednesday the 21st.

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