How many Mongoloids can you fit into a cage match? I doubt anybody from Sydney would be able to enlighten me (except maybe Dr Vern Pullen), but there’s a good chance that Jed Whitey could! They called their debut album something very similar and what would be better than to head down to the Landsdowne to find out!

I haven’t seen bands at the Landsdowne recently, but I have heard whispers that it is a band venue again and better still, it’s free to get in! A rare thing these days and should be more of it! An even bigger surprise of the night was that a beer doesn’t cost you either a) an arm, b) a leg, c) your first born child or d) a small fortune. Instead only $3.50. Plenty of folk were taking advantage of this “sale of the century” and why not? It’s Friday night and what better excuse to enjoy yourself.

First band up for some tennis ball smashing action, were Hytest. They even had the sweatbands to prove it! Having never had the pleasure of seeing these young lads before, I didn’t know too much history about them. Someone mentioned that they were from Wollongong and one of the band members was a young “Curley”, I believe that there are quite a few “Curley” offspring. [Editors note: Curley, bass player from Tumbleweed] I couldn’t tell you if he was the youngest, but with genetics like that, the crowd would be guaranteed one hell of a rock n roll morsel to satisfy even the biggest appetite. Hytest could best be described “Dumb Rock” or “Beer Bong Rock’n’Roll”. You know, go to a party, have a few beer bongs, put on a Ramones record and you’ve got yourself one hell of a good time! Now before you get your knickers in a knot, please note that this is not a put down. Plain and simple, straight 1, 2, 3, 4 rock’n’roll. Nothing wrong with that in my books! Dee Dee would have given Hytest the Ramone seal of approval, before asking the guitarist for his haircut back. Some guitar riffs were a little 70’s and this may be where the Curley genetics kick in. The vocalist sometimes sounded like a 17yr old Blag Dahlia as he screamed down his microphone. The drumming was a little out of time here and there, but no huge clangers. The songs were played at a nice, up-beat pace and the band had a lot of energy. I heard no complaints from the crowd. Plenty of nodding heads and applause between songs. I enjoyed their set  and think that these young blokes will be serving up ace after ace in the next twelve months.

Not much down time between sets. Gear off, gear on and 10 minutes later, Daredevil are ready to show Sydney just what they’re made of. I have seen a few gigs since the reformation and they are a pretty hard act to follow. I certainly wasn’t going to be disappointed tonight. One hell of V8 machine, driving, pumping and excellerating down the rock n roll highway. The rhythm section really knows how to keep Daredevil’s engine humming. I felt extremely sorry for the drum kit, which was shown absolutely no mercy. Man, does that drummer have tree trunks for arms!

The lead guitar and vocals are the roar that keeps the rock n roll machine cruising along. Hair flicks, guitar solos and mic leads wrapped around forearms are just the little things that give Daredevil that glossy gleam. Big, distorted 70’s riffs that you’d imagine Kyuss members listening to on their tour bus stereo. Unfortunately the crowd had thinned a little, but I wouldn’t put it down to any disrespect for Daredevil’s performance. Daredevil motored through their set and left the crowd wanting more.

And more was what we got when KillerHertz hit the stage. Fast, heavy, thrashy, rock’n’roll with a metal edge. Who better than to front this outfit then the unforgettable Ceinwen. There is a real lack of ballsy, female vocalists and it was really refreshing to witness what Ceinwen does best. Man, can this woman sing! She strutted, cursed, joked and sang her heart out, obviously enjoying every minute of it. Meanwhile the guitars just kept coming at you. The highlight of the set was their version of the Tatts We Can’t Be Beaten. Even a string breaking part way through didn’t deter KillerHertz’s guitarist. A quick distress call to Troy, a loan of a guitar and the band were back into the song without missing a beat. Low and behold the song then morphs into Wind Beneath My Wings (only for a chorus), then roars back into the Tatt’s gem to finish what they had already started. The crowd were revved and KillerHertz proved that you really shouldn’t play with fire.

Last band of the night was Jed Whitey. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but had heard many good things uttered about these Western Australian troublemakers. Punchy, fast, furious and tight as fuck are only some terms I could use to describe Jed Whitey’s set. Put Zeke, the Dictators and the Cosmic Pschyos in a blender, turn it on and you’ve got one hell of a Jed Whitey cocktail! And hell, did they rip it up! They rocked, they rolled, they were outta control! The singer resembled a rabid werewolf on the make, telling the crowd “Fuck You. That’s what we reckon about you cunts!” Like a machine gun, Jed Whitey aimed straight at our heads, firing off each song in quick succession. Man are these guys good! Too good!  Unfortunately all good things must come to an end and even shouts of “more” couldn’t encourage those naughty boys for a couple more songs for the road.

My overview of the night? Besides the best fun I’ve had in ages, my friend Ryan, summed it up nicely with the following quote:

“Rock’n’Roll is like golf. You don’t compete against the other bands on the bill. You compete against yourself”.

Without completing against each other, each band gave it their best shot and before you knew it, you had a hole in one!