Truthfully, expectations for tonight’s show were not high. While the calibre of the bands performing was, it had been agreed upon during the trip down that there would be a few keen punters up the front, enjoying their room to move while the uninterested regulars milled around the pool table. Hence arriving at a pub almost bursting at the seams was quite the (nice) surprise. Lest we forget that the Cosmic Psychos are an Aussie institution with fans all over the country.
Local lads Death Row Harmonica had the crowd up and interested but their set was derailed by a string breaking incident, which saw the band leave the stage for an excruciating 20 minutes. Returning to erupt into GOD’S My Pal only partially redeemed the unfortunately shambolic set.
In comparison, Sun God Replica’s set felt like one seamless display of quality rock‘n’roll played by consummate professionals. Fuzzy ’70s riffs combined with early ’90s indie pop/rock hooks, all executed with an air of determined but nonchalant cool. Sun God Replica write the kind of songs that you’ll find yourself humming happily in the shower days later. And yes, in a way that does mean Sun God Replica are in the shower with you.
Cosmic Psychos however, write the kind of songs that make you want punch the air with one hand and skull a beer with the other, which is what the majority of the crowd in attendance were doing. The other half were slipping over in the beery mess that had been created by the wild shenanigans. The Psychos pummelled through a lengthy set, opening with Pub followed by Nice Day yo Go to The Pub, which riled the audience up good and early.
With Macca still clad in his shirt at the three-quarter point there was a concern that this was not going to be a classic Cosmic Psychos set but sure enough the shirt came off, inspiring a roar from the crowd and multiple bro-downs occurring across the room, some punters even ascending the stage to declare their love for the band. The set came to an end with the anthemic Lost Cause followed by David Lee Roth. Beer was drunk, beer was spilt, clothes were ripped and eardrums were possibly perforated. Nice night to be at the pub.
BY KRYSTAL MAYNARD
Loved: The crowd surfing.
Hated: No hate here.
Drank: G&Ts, beer, Agwa.
