Whoever decided to pair up Canberra screamers Young and Restless with synth-stars Midnight Juggernauts was either a twisted genius or consumed way too many magic mushrooms. These two bands are so incredibly different that they could not possibly canvass the same crowd response. But that, I believe, was the point, as Y&R brought the balls to the wall rock and Juggies layered on the dance. In any case their show at the Metro was terrific, and I will try to adequately describe it in 200 words or less…
The Young and Restless have sex appeal. It comes in the form of lead singer Karina Utomo, whose straight-outta-hell screams send shivers down every audience members’ back, which is soon converted into undying love for her and the band. If you watch the crowd closely enough you can actually see this metamorphosis happening, especially in more brutal tracks like Dirty Kicks and Satan, that initial ‘what the fuck!’ syndrome eventually melting into the doe-eyed ‘Wow, I LOVE this band!’ The band, driven by Karina’s drummer-brother Noogie (who turns 21 tonight), are insanely tight, yet all over the place at the same time, with distortion, fuzz and walls of noise. Y&R are the real deal, pick up their album and start flocking to their shows like everyone else is. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
Midnight Juggernauts need no introduction. Most people at this show have seen the band play this venue before, and seen them play a couple of hundred times. Such is the ubiquity of the Juggies, who even as they reach the pinnacles of rock stardom nonetheless manage to retain their energetic youthful party vibe that made them so popular in the first place. Tonight we are treated to the full-blown Dystopia experience, as tracks like Into The Galaxy, Aurora and Road To Recovery are released from their cages. Vincent still sings like he’s under the influence of some mind-altering substances, Andy looks sober, and then of course, there’s that maniac on the drums known as Daniel Stricker. Considering that stickmen usually add the least to stage presence, Stricker completely eclipses his band, drawing the biggest cheers from the crowd and putting in 110%, even on songs where all he has to do is an electro-dance beat. But the show is great, there’s a whole lot of sweaty fans walking out in ecstasy, and the Midnight Juggernauts have officially made it.
