Considering Phil Jamieson declared Grinspoon was on hiatus following their Big Day Out appearance, he didn’t really follow through very well – though perhaps they should have. Their last long player release, Alibis and Other Lies, was far from the enraging, heavy punk of their earliest recordings and saw the band take a turn for the worst in many eyes, continuing their power walk backwards. Playing a gig for Melbourne – their first headliner here in over a year – the band did little to redeem their great Aussie rock status, with Jamieson’s flaunting antics proving to be an embarrassment.

Support for the show included two great local acts though, which most certainly pleased the early comers, perhaps even leading them into an anticlimax. Skybombers were an exciting starter, with Hugh up front twisting and jerking his body around to their heavy numbers. But the most excitement came from the second cab off the rank, Children Collide, who practically upstaged the headliners with their intensely exciting rampage about the stage. Frontman Johnny flailed wildly with his guitar as his counterparts Heath on bass and Ryan on drums kept the pace sufficiently. Flying around the stage during guitar breaks that were littered with well manipulated feedback, as well as being backed with a jittery custom light show, Children Collide had enough to get the crowd excited and showed a definite step up from Skybombers beforehand. If you’re easily excited by the fast and heavy, Children Collide would be highly recommended.

Police sirens filled the Hi Fi as Grinspoon readied themselves to enter the ballroom. The self-lighting setup was great and would later prove that the band had adapted techniques from much larger shows into the much smaller club environment. Prancing onto the stage in his best Jack Sparrow impersonation, Jamieson walked front centre with beer in hand, before spraying the front rows with his mouthful and jumping into Black Tattoo from Alibis. From there, the set launched back and forth between tracks from the last two records, giving the oldest fans nothing to get excited about – though judging by the age of those closest to the stage, the “fresher” material would have been more in their minds anyway.

Jamieson’s dancing seemed very questionable as he thrust himself about and continued to ignorantly spray his beer over everyone. His smirks and quips about following the rules were more or less a painful experience. All the while Joe Hansen bounced around like a proper rock musician, playing his bass practically vertically, whilst Pat Davern let his guitar hang as low as possible, which along with his already tall size made him look rather comical. Then again, has anyone taken Davern seriously since his stunt “flying” into the MCG for the Commonwealth Games closer?

Despite other criticisms, what Grinspoon did three tracks in was truly remarkable. Walking from side stage supported by a crutch, one young guy named Tim was granted his wish through the Starlight Make a Wish Foundation and had the change to accompany the band singing Hard Act to Follow. Beaming from ear to ear, Tim’s excitement was unforgettable as he rocked out on air guitar and sang along – and of course with the crowd roaring in approval the whole time.

Finally, as the set list continued, older favourites appeared, including More Than You Are – which was “10 years on and still going strong,” according to Jamieson. Bits and pieces from New Detention got a run through, including the speedily performed Chemical Heart, though for the most part the Grinners weren’t interested in reliving their heyday. Even Just Ace during the encore felt like Jamieson wanted to get past it as quickly as possible, though the crowd’s complete highjacking of the song in its second verse put him in his place. Finally, Champion finished up as the (thankful) highlight of the set, with Jamieson showing despite his obvious changes – both musical and personal – he can still let his voice grunt that little more intensely.