Could there’ve been a better way to spend Halloween than at the Forum on Friday night with Graveyard Train, Puta Madre Brothers and Richie 1250? That wasn’t even a proper rhetorical question, because the answer is quite clearly no.
Puta Madre Brothers kicked us off with a scorching, although somewhat more subdued set than usual. We put this down to the fact the dirty trio were seated throughout, which was worth it, because it meant they were free to give it a one-man-band treatment – playing drums with their feet and the high hats with their guitar necks. Kudos also to the fellas for their ingenious light-up jackets.
The venue couldn’t have been more appropriate – The Forum’s faux Gothic courtyard really didn’t need any adornment to fit the ghoulish theme. However, the Graveyard Train fellas put in an effort worthy of a stadium gig with their construction of a 20-foot tall hell-bound Jack Frost. They also looked amazing, particularly Adam Johanson as the chain-hitting, hillbilly zombie, with special mention going to Beau Skowron, who went all out for a “put the lotion in the basket” vibe.
There’s something about a bunch of blokes singing in unison and Graveyard Train’s a study in the beauty of organised, testosterone driven chaos. Even though they’ve largely abandoned the horror cow punk shtick, they returned to their roots tonight, singing track after track about death and mayhem and it was fucking awesome. Highlights included Witches (the band were manic and it was like bedlam on the floor) and Bit By A Dog.
Mostly dressed-up, the crowd was uninhibited: there was a shit load of foot-stomping, which felt like fun at the time but apologies in hindsight to the heritage-listed floor.
BY MEG CRAWFORD
Loved: The fiendish effort folks put into their costumes, especially the zombie bride and groom.
Hated: The fact we have to wait 12 months for the next one.
Drank: Diet coke.
