A night of music featuring 6 bands, headlined by the awesome Baby Animals and Dragon.
The Baby Animals
“I’ll never forget hearing Baby Animals for the first time. They came blazing out of the radio with the aptly titled ‘Early Warning’. “Too young to know,” Suze DeMarchi sang, “Too old to listen.” If you were in Australia in the summer of 1991/92, you couldn’t avoid Baby Animals – they were everywhere. Their self-titled debut was released the same month as Nirvana’s Nevermind. It actually sold nearly twice as many copies as Nevermind in Australia, preventing the Nirvana album from reaching number one, which shows what an impact Baby Animals made.
At the start of 1992, I saw Baby Animals play at the Palais in St Kilda. I think my ears are still ringing – not just from Dave Leslie’s scorching guitar but the ear-piercing screams of the fans. Nearly three decades later, I still wonder why Baby Animals didn’t conquer the world. They certainly gave it a shot, doing ‘Painless’ on the Letterman show, as well as a two-month US tour with Robert Plant plus five months with Van Halen (I love that Eddie Van Halen signed their tour poster: “Thanks for letting Van Halen close the show!”).
Suze DeMarchi was – and is – a star, an Aussie rock goddess to rank alongside Chrissy Amphlett. The band’s former manager, John Woodruff, says his biggest regret is that Baby Animals didn’t become global stars. “They were just so close on that first album,” Woody said. “Suze was the biggest star out of everyone I ever had.” High praise indeed from a man who also managed Savage Garden, The Angels and Diesel. It’s a crazy thing to ponder, but I often think that if the band’s second album had been their debut, things would have been different. The more adventurous and indulgent Shaved and Dangerous would have established their rock cred, and then the hit-laden self-titled set would have taken them over the top.
Of course, Baby Animals are now all grown-up. But they’ve got plenty of life left in them. As their most recent studio album noted, This Is Not The End. And the beautiful thing is they still rock like untamed teenagers, too young to know, too old to listen.”
-Jeff Jenkins
Dragon
Hailing from New Zealand and adopted by generations of Aussie fans, this legendary band has turned out heart-pumping rock classics since 1973. Expect a performance of perfect pop 20/20 vision that mines the depths of Dragon’s catalogue, that song you didn’t know was Dragon along with songs you haven’t heard for years, those favourite songs that never get the time of day, they will all be there in all their glory along with the Anthems.
Any Dragon performance starts with a single thing in mind. For the band to reach out to the crowd, invite them in and pummel them with singable anthems played with unexpected ferocity. Look at this list of bangers: Rain, April Sun in Cuba, Are You Old Enough, Speak No Evil, Dreams of Ordinary Men, Sunshine, Age of Reason, Young Years, Celebrate, This Time, O Zambezi and many more. 50 years of sheer rock bliss. Dragon Live. See you there in 2023.
Standing Room Only
Standing Room Only formed in Melbourne, Australia in 2017 as a powerhouse trio with a colossal sound and a song list to match. They quickly entrenched themselves on the circuit playing every venue they could in Victoria and interstate. Travelling extensively, they honed their sound, look and show into the battering ram it is today. A unique and enthralling show begins with all three standing and playing, yes, even their drummer, Azz-man who is front and centre of the stage, providing a compelling show that will keep you on your feet.
They are a compelling, energetic and powerful three piece outfit heavily influenced by the great Aussie pub rock bands of the past with a bit of funk, country and emotion thrown in for good measure. Drummer/singer Azz-man provides aggressive, authoritative time keeping and commanding vocals, lead guitarist ‘Fozzy’ provides amazing melodic and razor-sharp rock riffs, whilst Jimbo delivers the low-end groove & thump with slick harmonies connecting it all together in a captivating package.
Nick Barker and the Reptiles
Nick Barker and the Reptiles played loud Rock’n’Roll in Pubs. A whole lot of Pubs. From 1988 to 1993 they drove up and down the East Coast, across to SA and even WA. Sometimes 3 gigs in a day, mostly 5 nights a week, most weeks of the year. In between they recorded 2 Albums 1989’s “Goin’ to Pieces” and 1990’s “After the Show” (made in Memphis Tennessee) and one EP, 1992’s “Loose”.
But their stock in trade was live gigs. They drank a lot of beer, invented a card game (don’t ask) and a cocktail (vodka and Staminade) and won the hearts of a lot of hardcore Australian Rock’n’Roll fans.
STONETRIP
STONETRIP have established a tremendous, solid, fan base reputation since 2019 for their energetic live shows and have absolutely no pretensions to do anything other than play hard rock! The boys have gained national & worldwide support reach of five amazing single & video releases including their debut self-titled EP ‘STONETRIP’ not to mention a blistering run of shows performing & touring with Rose Tattoo, The Screaming Jets, The Poor, Choirboys, (TMG) Ted Mulry Gang, The Black Sorrows, Models and many more!
Daydreamers
Daydreamers are an up and coming Aussie rock band known for their energetic stage presence and alt punk influences.
