Well, that was like a giant party with your most unruly mates, and what was not to celebrate? First, Area-7, Australia’s finest ska-punk outfit turned 20. That’s an un-fucking-believable achievement – they’re no bunch of old bastards – they’re fast, furious and on form. Why they’ve never been as big as The Living End is a mystery. Secondly, have two musical genres ever been more made for each other than ska and punk? That’s not a rhetorical question – the answer’s clearly no.
Kudos to Area-7 for staying true to their musical roots: they grew out of a Madness tribute band, added the punk edge and never compromised. That said, one of the evening’s highlights came from the rockabilly ballpark – Rumble In Brighton Tonight that never sounded as dirty and mean when The Stray Cats did it. The encore version of AC/DC’s Long Way To The Top also scorched – the extensive and tight horn section doing the bagpipe bit was particularly awesome.
The night nearly peaked during Road Rage with the spectacle of some proper punk circle-pit action. Thanks to John “Stevo” Stevens, the lead singer, for the prior public safety announcement: “If you don’t know what you’re doing, get the fuck out.”
We’re not being facetious; it was genuinely heart-warming to see such a large gathering of punks and sharpies. It was also nice to see Stevo’s genuine affection for the crowd and fans. While a crowd may never have been referred to as motherfuckers so frequently before, it was said with love. Stevo, who was looking super sharp: booted and suited, even thanked long-standing fans by name, gave them his camera and asked them to film bits (which they accidentally fucked up, but it was late by that time so probably to be expected). That’s class.
Shit got out of hand – but really, because it’s not over until someone gets dragged out of the crowd with glass poking out of their leg.
BY MEG CRAWFORD
Loved: No fauxhawks here.
Hated: I don’t care about whatever nihilistic punk ethos you might have going on, don’t throw bottles you twats, it’s not nice.
Drank: Diet coke.
