After the release of their 5th studio album White Noise, The Living End boys were back in town to play a smallish show at HQ (small, only compared to the 2 nights they played at Thebby, last time they were here). With their inclusion on the BDO line-up announced this morning, I guess this run of dates is good practise for their new gear, before hitting the big stage next January. Along for the ride were fellow Ausies The Silents and Children Collide, although I dont think the packed over 18 crowd really cared who else played, they were all here to see one band.
First up was WA band The Silents, who I must admit I didn’t know a lot about coming into tonight, and nothing they did has inspired me to find out any more about them. They were solid and there sound was pretty good, but I’m not going to rush out and get their album.
Next up was the slightly better known Children Collide, again I don’t think I’d rush out and buy their album, but these guys did a little more to impress. Their sound and energy on stage was good and they got a much better reception by those there early enough to see them. It was always going to be a tough task for these support acts playing to an older crowd, I would imagine they are far better received when they play all ages shows.
Then it was time for The Living End. The boys took the stage and flew straight into Raise the Alarm and followed it with We Want More and I Cant Give You What I Haven’t Got without missing a beat. After a quick hello and some signature Chris Cheney guitar tricks (I challenge anyone to name a better guitarist) they broke into crowd favourite All Torn Down followed by Who’s Gonna Save Us followed by the ever popular Prisoner Of Society which had the crowd in great voice. If there was anyone in the crowd who hadent heard the new album they were going to leave tonight having heard most of it, the set was dominated by their new album Raise the Alarm, Make the Call, Loaded Gun and Moment in the Sun to name a few as well as finishing the main set with White Noise. Other highlights of the set were a cover of Run to Paradise that turned into Roll On and West End Riot.
After a short break the boys returned and wowed the crowd with series of solos that culminated with Chris playing his VB slide/skull solo before finishing the night with Second Solution.
As good as the boys were, and always are, I would have liked to hear some of their older stuff, but with the new record out that was always unlikely. Hopefully getting the album tour out the way will free up the set list for some older tunes come BDO.
