Aussie outfit Tame Impala brings its wild sound to Israel

Perth frontman Kevin Parker and his 1970s-inspired psychedelic music are a favorite among local fans

By Jessica Steinberg 10 July 2016, 5:33 pm 0 Edit

Jessica Steinberg covers the Sabra scene from south to north and back to the center.

Australian band Tame Impala arrived in Israel Sunday for its Monday night performance at Rishon Lezion’s LIVE Park.

The band is a favorite in Israel’s indie music scene. Tame Impala’s third album, “Currents,” was a big success in Israel and was voted best album of the year by Army Radio listeners.

The Perth, Australia, band is led by Kevin Parker, the founder, lead vocalist, songwriter, sometimes percussionist and producer for the Tame Impala’s brand of psychedelic rock.

2015’s “Currents,” the band’s third album, moved away from Tame Impala’s previous rock ‘n’ roll base and into synthetic pop and R&B tones.

Parker has said in numerous interviews that he “has a fetish for extremely sugary pop music.” He also seems to have a thing for pop themes like unrequited teenage love and young sex, as displayed in “Currents” songs such as “The Less I Know The Better,” “The Moment” and “Love/Paranoia.”

Band Tame Impala arrives in Israel Sunday for their Monday, July 11, 2016 concert in Rishon Lezion (Courtesy Tame Impala)

Band Tame Impala, with lead vocalist Kevin Parker (second from left), arrives in Israel Sunday for their Monday, July 11, 2016 concert in Rishon Lezion (Courtesy Tame Impala)

Parker, who grew up with the laid-back, beach town vibe of Perth and headed out to surf most days, has said that listening to the Bee Gees on mushrooms and cocaine inspired him to change the sound of the music he was making on “Currents.”

He has also said that sixties London band Supertramp is one of his favorites, and has had a major influence on Tame Impala’s sound.

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