Strung Out & No Use For A Name@ Metro Theatre, Sydney(16/07/08)

Mon 21st Jul, 2008 in Gig Reviews

What better way to escape the crowded streets and craziness caused by the World Youth Day celebrations than to get along to one of the greatest punk shows to pass through Sydney in a long time.

Western Sydney boys Sniperival kicked off the night with a tight and energetic set that showcased tracks from their debut EP, Black Ties For Bullet Vests. Only on the scene for around a year and a half, these guys have built quite a reputation for themselves. Having supported Frenzal Rhomb at their sold-out Sydney show not too long ago, they can now tick off playing to a full house at the Metro for a second time. With lots of energy and a great sound, keep an eye out for these lads – they’re sure to hit it big.

Next on the bill were Californian punk veterans, No Use For A Name. After 21 years and 10 albums (most of which were released on the legendary Fat Wreck Chords label), these guys just get better and better. Playing mostly a – œgreatest hits’ set with a healthy mix of old and new material, the crowd seemed more than appreciative to be in the company of such an accomplished band.

Frontman Tony Sly commanded the stage and crowd with energy and style, with a sizeable mosh-pit up and running almost immediately. It was great to see the old classics delivered with as much enthusiasm as when they were first written, but it was also intriguing to get a chance to see a few of the newies from the recent album, Feel Good Record Of The Year – an opportunity that surely disappointed no one. With the exception of a couple of drunken scuffles on the dance floor, a generally happy crowd eagerly soaked in every second of NUFAN’s brilliant set.

After a brief break and a quick trip to the bar, Strung Out burst onto the stage to carry out their duty as headliners. Also with a recent album ( Blackhawks Over Los Angeles ) in tow, we were once again treated to a good mix of old and new material from their 16-year career. Having not seen Strung Out play live since 2003’s show at the Gaelic Club, I was keen to experience the new material in a live setting.

If I was to have any complaints, Jason Cruz’s vocals seemed a little bland when set against Sly’s slightly more extensive vocal repertoire and NUFAN’s more diverse sound. This was probably partly due to NUFAN’s ever-evolving sound over the years, and therefore fairly excusable considering the amount of raw energy invested in their live show. Highlights included Bring Out Your Dead and an unexpected INXS cover, Don’t Change, both of which got the crowd jumping and singing along.

This brand of sun-drenched skater/melodic punk was obviously a crowd pleaser on such a chilly winter’s night, as these two legendary acts proved that Californians really do it best when it comes to good time punk music.