You could tell by the smiles plastered on their faces that this was a special night for The Bennies. Or maybe it was something to do with the giant spliff being passed around onstage. Either way, 2015 has been an immense year for the turbo ska punk party band, and a sell-out performance at the Corner seemed like a well-deserved celebration for a hell of a lot of hard work.
When they took the stage at party o’clock (11.40pm), the heaving crowd was already in high spirits, having experienced the blistering chaotic rock of locals Wet Pensioner and an emotional punch in the gut from Adelaide’s The Hard Aches – whose final song I Get Like This punched a hole in the roof of the joint. But it was clear from the moment they sauntered on stage that this would be The Bennies’ night.
As soon as they erupted into What’s Your Fuckin’ Problem?!, the moshpit started thrashing around like a Melbourne tornado. From then on the party pedal was glued to the floor, as big hitters Acid On Me Brain, My Bike and Never Get Enough thundered from the PA. The majority of songs were loudly belted back at the stage from the triumphantly vocal crowd.
The response for new banger Party Machine proved it’s already a classic, which led frontman Anty Horgan to exclaim, “This is too fun.” The only break in momentum was a poignant moment when bassist Craig Selak acknowledged the band recently lost someone close to them, and dedicated the show to her. It was a reminder to cherish those close to you and evidence that even the happiest of bands go through tough times.
Finishing off the main set with Knights Forever, they bounded off stage just long enough for the chants of “One more song/bong” to reach fever pitch. They returned to finish the night off with a one-two punch of Anywhere You Wanna Go and Hold On.
Sometimes you really do wish these nights would go on forever.
BY NATHAN WOOD
Photo by Ian Laidlaw
Loved: Knights Forever.
Hated: The next morning.
Drank: /Smoked a lot of second hand wacky tobacky.
