Scary Kids Scaring Kids @ UNSWRoundhouse, Sydney (22/11/08)

Tue 25th Nov, 2008 in Gig Reviews

CHECK OUT ALL THE PHOTOS FROM THE SHOW HERE.

Despite the unseasonably cold weather, it did nothing to dampen spirits at Scary Kids Scaring Kids’ first headlining show in Sydney. All three of tonight’s bands had given us a taste of their live show earlier this year at the Soundwave Festival, and it seems like we can’t get enough.

Californian emo-rockers Halifax were up first. Coming out on stage for soundcheck and then just standing around until they were ready to go, Halifax’s unassuming entrance was in contrast to the energy they exuded in performance. The band seemed to revel in the challenge of winning over a crowd largely unfamiliar with their work.

Sweetly melodic guitars by Adam Charles, compelling vocals by Chris Brandt, funky beats by bassist Eric Ivener and strong drumming by Tommy Guindon combined to have the crowd jumping and dancing along. With a good sense of humour and memorable songs such as I Hate Your Eyes and Sydney, Halifax can be assured of a warm welcome the next time they visit our shores.

In direct contrast in terms of musical style came Christian metallers Haste The Day. Whereas the previous band’s set had an air of fun and humour to it, Haste The Day were all business and intensity. From the word go, we were inundated with a bombardment of heavy guitar riffs and thundering drums by Brennan and Devin Chaulk respectively. There was even extra entertainment courtesy of Brennan.

He pulled a few tricks from his repertoire – performing a very low back-bend while he played his guitar with one hand and raising the other in the classic metal horns pose. At times melodic but mostly growling, Stephen Keech’s strong vocals further fuelled the crowd’s excitement.

Finally, it was time for Scary Kids Scaring Kids to take to the stage. Despite being one man short – guitarist Steve Kirby not on this tour due to family reasons – you would be hard pressed to notice his absence. Scary Kids did everything in their power to deliver a powerful show. Vocalist Tyson Stevens was compelling to watch, his vocals soaring over those gathered, with ample support from the rest of the band.

Guitarist Chad Crawford has to be commended for his excellent playing. Though he was the lone guitarist for the night, where there should have been two, the quality of his playing was such that we were not left wanting. Meanwhile, nobody could match keyboardist Pouyan Afkary in energy levels. He tossed his hair and gyrated across the stage whenever he wasn’t obligated to stand behind his instrument – and even when he was, he refused to stop dancing.

This being their last tour before taking a six month break, Scary Kids were determined to go out with a bang. Blasting out songs such as My Darkest Hour, The Deep End and Free Again, Scary Kids did not disappoint. Closing with the single Faces, the night ended on a high, with the crowd chanting for more as the artists left the stage.