The rumbling begins before The Tote is even in sight. A feral, sinister grumbling builds and bubbles until the belly of the beast is breached. Launching their EP Roughhouse Hymns, Melbourne band Sheriff, never ones to do things either quietly or by halves, have put together a two stage, ten band extravaganza. Recruiting YIS, I Am Duckeye, Vice Grip Pussies, Don Fernando, Sons Of The Ionian Sea, Them Bruins and Swamp Moth, every other pub in Melbourne must be unusually quiet in comparison.
Also enlisted are the always entertaining Bittersweet Kicks in their first hometown appearance after a string of shows in France. Any remaining jetlag is blown away as lead singer Jack Davies finds time to roar out Bedtime Blues while dangling from the roof. They are joined by consummate party professionals Vice Grip Pussies for a raucous rendition of Team Rock N Roll and the crowd, when not dodging stray guitar necks and flying boots, seems happy to have them home.
There is a mass exodus from the beer garden as swirling guitars signal the start of Sheriff’s set. Singer Jimi Coelli’s voice sounds like it is full of nails in the best possible way as he belts his way through what could easily be the soundtrack to a southern horror film. Guitarist Tom Watson’s combined vocals on Bobby Sue coupled with Callum Routledge’s cacophonous drums give the bursting room a sharp kick in the guts. The entire set is perfectly orchestrated pandemonium complete with stage invasions and Watson surfing over the crowd astride a demonic looking horse. As far as EP launches go, Sheriff are certainly going to be a tough act to follow.
BYMADISON THOMAS
Loved: The upside-down piggybacking, crotch grabbing, nipple biting stage invaders.
Hated: Having a gargantuan hangover.
Drank: A pint of Bulmers
