Scul Hazzards, Violent Soho,Little Lovers @ The Step Inn,Brisbane, (22/02/2008)

Thu 28th Feb, 2008 in Gig Reviews

The jangly indie-pop tones of Little Lovers comes across raggedly tonight, and they never quite generate the oomph and energy to genuinely push the buttons of the crowd. There’s some polite nodding of heads and tapping of toes, but Little Lovers have definitely had better nights on stage.

By contrast, punters edge close as Violent Soho let fly. The Mansfield grungesters have been in mind-blowing form for 12 months or more now, consistently delivering tight, rockin’ performances and tonight is no exception. The slow see-sawing riffs of Jesus Stole My Girlfriend, the unrelieved threshing of Son of Sam, plus their high-speed dirtied-up cover of GOD’s My Pal, form the backbone of a ripper set. Older numbers Bombs Over Broadway and Generation from the Pigs On TV EP slip in seamlessly among the new, but, near the very end, the howling of Muscle Junkie illustrates why these guys need to get their new EP out there right now.

Local noise merchants Scul Hazzards are about to elope to the UK, but the trio check in to destroy Bris Vegas ears one final time. Vocalist and guitarist Steven Smith may look as mild mannered as Clark Kent in his glasses, but give him a guitar and the demon within rapidly surfaces. Last Few Bucks, lead track from the band’s new 7-inch EP, hits like a barrage of howitzers – and it’s hard to decide what’s being abused more, Smith’s vocal chords, or his guitar. Fellow EP traveller Needle’s Eye is just as unrelenting, while Greater Good throws in twisted hints of surf guitar and marks the first of several tracks slated for the band’s as-yet-unreleased debut long-player.

The pace moderates slightly with Man Up, but the ferocity remains, propelled via throbbing bass lines from Tiffany Milne. Smith weaves vocals and dissonant guitar under and over, creating a wonderful sonic patchwork that has texture in all the right places, and hints at emptiness just where it’s needed. Later, the drawling, sliding guitar riff of Casualties is as addictive as crack, balancing perfectly against Leigh Fischer’s staccato toms. It’s nearly 1am by the time the trio conclude in an atmosphere that’s more celebration than wake. Europe better appreciate what’s about to hit it, because Scul Hazzards are welcome here anytime.