Locals get another chance to see Gyrate when they perform a free gig at Wallarah Bay Recreation Club, at Gorokan, this Saturday, June 4, from 8pm.

Gyrate are Matt Nelson (guitar and vocals), Alex Borojevic (guitar), Joe Zaccheo (drums and percussion), and Scott Brechin (bass and vocals).

For all the joy they bring, cover bands sometimes have to work hard to win the room.

After all, there are myriad TV screens, courtesy bus announcements, diners, and rowdy conversations that bands must compete with.

The Lakes Mail has seen Gyrate perform at a few venues.

On each occasion we’ve witnessed the same phenomenon: The band will start a song that sounds so much like the original that punters will stop their conversations mid-sentence and shoot their mates a glance that says “what about that!”; footy fans turn away from the TV screens (if only for a moment); and smiles spread across the room.

And then the procession to the dance floor follows.

Front man Matt Nelson’s vocals are top shelf, the music is authentic, and their set lists strike a happy balance between the often-played must-haves and rare hits that are a pleasant surprise to hear again.

Gyrate do rock anthems well, but it’s when Nelson takes on challenging nuanced songs by the likes of David Bowie (We Can Be Heroes), Flowers (We Can Get Together) and The Church (The Unguarded Moment) that his versatility impresses.

In their last gig at Wyong Leagues Club, Gyrate played a couple of tracks made popular by the Church. Musically, they were the most authentic cover renditions we’ve heard, with Nelson bringing enough brooding mood to the song without ever trying to impersonate Steve Kilbey.

And fans of Devo who are tired of only ever hearing covers of the band’s 1980 mega hit Whip It, will love Gyrate’s razor-sharp take on Girl U Want.