The 2nd Annual Noises Awards @The Annandale, Sydney(05/10/08)

Fri 10th Oct, 2008 in Gig Reviews

The second annual Noises Awards featured an interesting mixed bag of local bands. Presented by Heavenly Noise, the event also serves as a fund raiser for the Sydney Children’s Hospital, while also allowing music fans to indulge in a mix of metal, punk, emo and alternative music at the one venue. The awards themselves consist of a few voted for by the crew from Heavenly Noise, with everything else being decided by votes from crew, sound engineers, venue managers and the punters themselves via Heavenly Noise’s website.

The afternoon was kicked off by the alternative lounge act Captains. Quirky and cool, they definitely got my foot tapping with their catchy songs. I was equally enthralled by the vocals, with guitarist Matt Campbell ’s deep, resonant voice blending very well with the at times ethereal voice of keyboardist Arezo “Rizz” Khanjani. Unique and imaginative, this is pure auditory art.

Another stand out early in the afternoon was Sydney band Maux Faux, with three of their four members in some pretty respectable ghoul make-up and one wearing a plushie bear hat. With their guest bassist wielding a double-necked bass and their sense of humour firmly intact, the band’s energy was palpable. Their brand of psychedelic rock with a touch of rockabilly got many a punter’s head bobbing along, and we were even treated to an impromptu instrumental jam session where the song was stretched for another few minutes in order to allow the vocalist Camzorz Mauxford to play around with his bandmates.

Intrigage are a progressive rock band out of Sydney who are still quite new to the live scene. With strong vocals, pulsating rhythms, uncompromising lyrics and a commanding stage presence, they are definitely a band that stays with you so expect to hear big things about them once they release their debut album in 2009.

For a change of pace, there were the more theatrical glam rockers Shake!, also from Sydney. Entertaining, dynamic and led by the seemingly insane Sam Dillon who pulled faces and contorted his body into strange positions, they re-energised the night for everyone. Songs Eat Your Heart Out and Queen Of The Scene were personal favourites, while Shake That Shit got quite a few of the assembled dancing along and tapping their feet. They are definitely a band that I wouldn’t mind seeing again thanks to their memorable tunes and engaging live performance.

As Outstanding Headline Performance winner, hard rockers Rook from Melbourne were another band that got the whole place shaking. Forbes McKail was a spitfire of a frontman, moving all over the stage and showing the crowd why he was voted Outstanding Frontperson of 2008. His amazing energy, coupled with an incredible voice, makes him engrossing to watch and riveting to listen to. The rest of the band are no slackers though. Each and every one of them threw themselves into their performance, with bassist Adam May also a stand out.

Headliners of the night Sydonia suitably ended the night on a high. Watching their performance, you would never have known that they had just played in Melbourne the night before, then had driven all the way up to Sydney in order to make it here for tonight’s show. There were no signs of fatigue as they roared from the stage, determined to blow everyone’s ears off it seems with their heavy, pounding, melodic hard rock.

Starting off the set with guitarist Sam Haycroft and bassist Adam Murray drumming along with Sean Bailey, Sydonia were truly a sight to behold live. Vocalist Dana Roskvist sung with a voice that should’ve been overwhelmed by the thunderous noise around it, but instead rose above it, clear and powerful. Haycroft kept things light in between songs with a joke or two, but played hard throughout the set, as did Murray. The notable performer in the set however was Bailey. With such formidable drumming, it was hard not to notice him.

Ending the night with the track Incoming, we were left breathless and overwhelmingly satisfied. Soon to be touring the country supporting Slipknot and Machine Head, Sydonia really are one of the most unique acts on the scene and are definitely a must see.