The Public Bar was relatively full for a five band bill with an 8pm start and openers Cuntz were able to play to more than just the bar staff. The four-piece deal in noisy dirge filled punk that moves from a slow and evil lurch to an aggressive assault in a split second. Think Pissed Jeans meets Flipper meets Jesus Lizard.
Bloody Hammer were next up on the lineup. These guys walk a path that is well worn but not without bringing their own flare and gusto to the table. Singer Yeap’s intensity drives the whole machine and he’s an impressive front man to watch. It’s reliable ’80s street punk but Tristan Clark’s lead guitar work adds some nice texture into the mix.
There’s a sense of urgency to Chicago three-piece Daylight Robbery’s songs, characterized not only by the relentless rhythms but also by Christine Wolf’s vocals, which have a persevering intensity and frantic quality to them. The male/female vocal interplay between Christine and guitarist David Wolf contrasts nicely, discordant at times then coming together in perfect synchronization. While Daylight Robbery’s sound is steeped predominantly in late ’70s punk, there are post punk leanings in the riffs and David Wolf’s guitar work finds an excellent balance between intricately angular and solid punk riffage.
Taking the feel of the night in a different direction altogether, White Walls got up to do their thing. Quickly erecting a wall of sound, White Walls are consummate professionals who deliver lush post grunge/shoegaze goodness with razor sharp precision. There’s little fan fare, little crowd interaction, just heavy, all engulfing riffs that you have to let yourself become lost in, as there is the tendency for the whole set to morph into one long song – which could be wearisome for some.
Deaf Wish play rarely but when they do, it is always spectacular – tonight is no different. The individual band members are all equally explosive on stage and there is a reckless and wild energy that makes Deaf Wish a force to be reckoned with. The spiky guitar work and collective vocal power on display make tonight’s set raw and unhinged, feedback wails, bodies flail and Deafwish remind Melbourne just how a good rock show should be delivered.
BY KRYSTAL MAYNARD
LOVED: That two guys decided to slam dance to the opening band.
HATED: Nothing of note.
DRANK: Liquids.
