Poison City Records can put on a fucking show, that’s for sure. Since its first instalment back in ’09, Poison City Weekender has become a staple of the Melbourne music calendar. Not only does it give the right local bands a leg up, but it also by brings over acts that wouldn’t get the chance to play here otherwise.
Perfectly representing those categories were Postblue and The Sidekicks (USA), who officially kicked off the three-day/night event at 170 Russell. As the venue filled to near capacity, Tassie’s Luca Brasi followed with an explosive, high octane set that proved once again why their name’s popping up everywhere.
Anti-folk outfit Andrew Jackson Jihad (USA) followed, with a full band in tow for their debut Australian performance. Tracks from their 2007 album People Who Can Eat People Are the Luckiest People in the World were huge crowd pleasers. Set-closer Big Bird brought down the house, with lead singer Sean Bonnette coming off like a homeless Freddie Mercury.
Next, Poison City mainstays The Smith Street Band walked out, looking ever so cool as Run The Jewels’ Blockbuster Night, Pt. 1 soundtracked their entry. It became instantly clear that, although the other acts captured attention, The Smith Street Band would be the true heroes of the night (beside Poison City founder Andrew Hayden, of course).
Opening up with fan favourites It’s Alright, I Understand and Surrender, frontman Wil Wagner was quick to mention how great it was to play in Melbourne after a month in Europe playing to rooms half the size. Get High, See No One and Ducks Fly Together soon followed, along with set highlight Don’t Fuck With Our Dreams, which included an impromptu appearance from Jules and Craig of The Bennies. Don’t ask me why, there’s just something about the screamed line “Don’t fuck with our dreams” that can capture a room full of 20-somethings like nothing else.
Lucy Wilson joined them during the encore for the debut live performance of I Scare Myself Sometimes. Closing the show with early single Young Drunk, Wagner thanked the crowd before eloquently summing up his feelings towards the record label: “You don’t get this shit from Universal.” You sure don’t.
BY MICHAEL CLARK
Photo of The Smith Street Band by Ian Laidlaw
Loved: Catching Andrew Jackson Jihad’s debut Aussie performance.
Hated: No food at the venue. It was five hours, come on.
Drank: Rum and coke.
