Galaxy Guardians | Theatre Review

Galaxy Guardians

Reviewed at Easts Leagues Club

Playing at various venues including Souths Juniors

Reviewed by Ron Lee, CSP

Do you ever have a hankering to return to the music of your youth, if your youth was in the seventies?

A new band that consists of very experienced musos is rapidly gaining a following around the clubs. 

Galaxy Guardians plays songs from the 1970s and “seventies adjacent”. The four musicians and two female lead singers have a big sound. Songs were originally recorded by Leo Sayer, Shocking Blue, Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel, Aretha, Skyhooks, Donna Summer, Olivia Newton-John and many more. 

Led by Neil Rankin on drums, Doug Weaver, Tom Ruki, Darren Richards and vocalists Sarina Jennings and Alanna O’Toole are enthusiastic and present but somehow their experience and talent make the performance look almost effortless. Rankin’s only solo was a faithful rendition of the 1975 hit, Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me).

The singing drummer reminded me of Phil Wright in Paper Lace which had hits with Billy, Don’t Be a Hero and The Night Chicago Died at that same time as the Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel record.

People like to dance in the shows, and I couldn't take my eyes off the guy on the floor who danced like Elaine from Seinfeld.

Even if you weren’t a teenager in the seventies, you’ll love the show, and you’ll walk out smiling and singing songs in your head, if not out loud.