For their last major headline show in Australia before again jetting overseas to infect American minds on a three-month tour of duty, The Drones put in a fearsome musical display tonight. With an arrogant swagger and typical boozed-up performance, beastly front man Gareth Liddiard slurred his way around most lyrics, and whenever he could muster up the words for a bit of mid-song byplay with the loving audience members. Leave it up to guitarist Dan Luscombe to try being a little more articulate, but we could have done without the attack on Gyroscope there Dan. You guys are much better than that. The bagging of other bands is embarrassing and highly cringe-worthy, particularly when it is such a weak, cheap shot on them, but I forgive the lapse.

The Drones know how to draw a crowd, so much so that for this umteenth farewell show there were Melbourne rock luminaries galore snaking their way through the bumper East band room, paying respect and close attention to the masters of drunken-psych country, blues and rock. Augie March members, Dan Kelly, Joel Silbersher, Melbourne rock writers, Melbourne drunks, Melbourne Cup winners, they were all there. Well maybe not Melbourne Cup winners.

Launching their new All Tomorrow’s Parties sanctioned Custom Made 7-inch, The Drones, appearance wise are far from being a picture of health, just the way we like it. As the devastating guitar grind intro to Shark Fin Blues rises to the surface before taking a ripping chunk out of the heart of onlookers, and as the sweat pours from the Liddiard beard onto the strings of his axe, Mike Noga is up back continuing his assault on the skins, punching the sounds forward.

Custom Made showcases a recording of Cockeyed Lowlife of the Highlands, an updated version of I Don’t Ever Want to Change, Shark Fin Blues and Charles Aznavour’s I Drink, a fitting tribute from the band that was played right at the death of this manic depressive inspired set. You never walk away feeling empty from any Drones show, if anything they are improving and unpredictable, and probably dealing with the side-effects of alcoholism, which is all of frightening, thrilling and quite devastating. I guess the shows with Wilco wouldn’t have hurt then?