Saturday night saw Yah Yah’s on Smith Street fully exposed to the dirtiest, drunkest, scuzziest punk-rock that Melbourne has to offer. As a prelude to their upcoming record release shows, Bits Of Shit organised this pearler of a freebie.
Upbeat garage rockers Bad Vision opened the evening’s antics with their brand of raw, lo-fi indie-rock: reminiscent of early Yeah Yeah Yeahs with a distinctly punk edge. Their lead guitarist wailed biting solo licks over fast, frantically strummed rhythms, held together by a tight, energetic drummer and slathered in the rock‘n’roll squeals of a slightly over-the-top vocalist. As they loosened up this band only got better and if the venue had been packed early, Bad Vision would have killed it. Regardless, the four-piece instantly involved a pretty drab early crowd that slowly built to full capacity over the night.
BATPISS generated a wall of noise with their brand of punk-grunge, characterised by bodacious chunky riffs, hard-hitting drums and stoner-doom vibes. They seem to draw influence from all the best ‘70s heavy metal, ‘80s hardcore/punk and ‘90s punk rock, in the vein of modern hardcore/metal bands like Doomriders and Witch, with a healthy dose of straight rock ‘n’roll. These boys smashed out thick, bass-heavy tones, shouted gang choruses and shredded blisteringly loud, pestilential, crunchy guitar leads with savage energy that the crowd lapped up for the entirety of a solid set.
Bits Of Shit put on the best show of the night. Their old-school American hardcore meets UK-punk sound sprayed a packed crowd for a solid hour with loose, insane crassness. Their vocalist screamed and spat in a helium-pitched rage, simultaneously theatrical and terrifying like The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Aggressive drums packed in fast, groovy fills, pulling together dirty distorted riffs and thrashing bass guitar. Any self-respecting young musician should hope that when he/she hits 40 that they’re half as cool as these badarse bastards. Bits Of Shit are holding release shows for their Cut Sleeves LP in August. If you like denim jackets, beer and screaming at the top of your lungs: attend.
There’s something so refreshing about seeing a bunch of honest people play music that they genuinely love playing. Especially when what they love playing is noisy, boozy and crazy as fuck. Get out and see these bands immediately, it’s even better than the movies.
BY JEREMY MILLAR
Pic by Denis Leadbeater
LOVED: The lack of any on-stage pretence from the bands.
HATED: The ringing in my ears: things got unbearably loud at times.
DRANK: Cider and beer.
