The lineup selected by the band for their album release day show was absolutely spot on. First up, the Twelve Foot boys gave a golden opportunity to a young, up and coming act, and Acolyte grasped it with their ten collective hands. This would have been their biggest gig and biggest support of their careers so far, and they didn’t seem overawed at all. In fact, they sounded huge, performed their ambitious songs with confidence and filled the stage and venue with sound and their personalities.
Second up, in true unconventional Twelve Foot style, the band decided to step way out into left field in their choice for the middle support. Instead of putting on another rock band, they chose Dan Richardson, a true solo performer who (very skilfully) jams out awesome tunes on a didgeridoo over sequenced funk, hip hop, African and world music beats. It sounds like a strange concoction, but it worked an absolute treat, and the crowd lapped it up, giving him a reception for every tune that threatened to tear the Corner roof off.
The Ninja boys came onstage to a hero’s welcome, as they usually do, and ripped into a set that had the sold out crowd climbing the rafters and generally going out of its mind. Their sound managing to be simultaneously moshable and danceable.
Their set was ideal, throwing up tracks from all four of their major releases, including their first two EPs. They played select tunes from the new album, although avoiding leaning too heavily on it as it had just been released. Twelve Foot Ninja have been off the road for quite some time incubating the new album, and the break has done frontman Kin Etik some good, as he was in howlingly good form, hitting the massive notes with veritable ease. At the same time, the band behind him, powered by the manic and propulsive machine that calls himself Shane ‘Russ’ Russell, sounded like they had 50 shows under their belt this year. They were in supremely well oiled fettle.
Damn, our Aussie heavy rock scene is good, and this night was yet more proof. The Ninja team launched their album in style. Now to take it to the world.
WORDS BY ROD WHITFIELD
IMAGE BY ZO DAMAGE
LOVED: Being frottaged by a strange bloke during Acolyte’s set.
HATED: Standing at the very edge of the mosh and being clung on to for dear life by a very attractive young complete strange for virtually the entirety of Twelve Foot’s set.
DRANK: Coopers Pale Ale – my ‘go to’ beer for rock gigs.
