“This is The Zoo, respect it or FUCK OFF!”

Not exactly what you expect to hear over the PA from one of the beautiful owners of the venue that is at the heart of this city’s musical history is it? Especially on their birthday. Well, it happened, it was completely warranted and it was a damning “shame on you” to a percentage of the punters at the front… Want to know what for? Read on.

Check out our photo gallery from tonight’s birthday celebrations

The Zoo: Iconic live music and arts venue in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley entertainment precinct. Upstairs in an aging, character-laiden building on Ann St, it is the spiritual home and nurturing garden-bed for Brisbane’s fertile local and international music and arts scene. On Friday night, this beloved shrine celebrated its sweet 16th birthday with the raunchy dancing ladies of the Rock n Roll Revue, some powerhouse rock from Numbers Radio, Give Some Back charity auction and the party anthems of ex and honourable Zooies, Butterfingers.

Mixing up set times, arrival was just as the Rock n Roll Revue ended, so unfortunately we’d just missed the burlesque beauties, however heard only good things about tassels, curves, bumping and grinding. Next to the stage was our MC for the evening, a dishevelled yet happy and energetic fellow who did his utmost to get the crowd engaged in the first Give Some Back charity auction of the night.

Give Some Back is The Zoo’s annual fundraiser where they auction off signed music merchandise from sold out shows to provide much needed funds for the Brisbane Youth Service; a community organisation that supports homeless young people. This year, The Zoo has taken the auction online, with all merch listed on the givesomeback ebay store. Additional gifts of tickets to the Fuck Buttons upcoming gig at the Brisbane Powerhouse and a pair of Big Day Out tickets presented the opportunity for punters to still engage in some bidding fun on the night. It was an acquaintance who won the first round of tickets, “Imagine what my accountant is going to say when I hand him this receipt” he said, showing us a slip of paper confirming he had fact bought “2 x Fuck Buttons”.

Numbers Radio have obviously built themselves a solid local following as there were many front of stage singing and thrashing to their loud, powerful trio rock. Winners of the Valley Fiesta unearthing and the newest act on the Valley Trash label, these guys prove that layered, forceful, pure rock music isn’t a dying genre amongst the retro new wave synth pop onslaught. Fast paced, their live sound and performance reminds of early, yet far more melodically layered, Grinspoon. Current single, Come On ow owowow ow ow’ed through the room, the sing-a-long lyrics and industrial fuzzed guitar initiating a great deal of movement in the pack at the front and a new fan in yours truly. If there aren’t big things ahead for these guys, including some side stage festival or support slots in the coming year, there is something awfully amiss in music town.

The crowd was fairly agitated as the second auction of a pair of BDO tickets commenced. Again, our MC fronted the stage encouraging active participation and selling the attributes of arguably the last affordable BDO tickets around. The bidding started at $250 and the crowd wasn’t interested. After the MC made many attempts at encouragement and raising a positive crowd response, some of the guys at the front started to murmur in disgruntled impatience… then it got louder…. Bullshit… Bullshit… Bullshit… The MC tried to shut it down unsuccessfully through a few “Come on guys, it’s a good cause…” only to be heckled further. His frustration peaking, it became unmanageable and he could only retort, “That’s what you guys are being right now…” His distain only encouraged those who are assumedly missing some vital brain matter. The chanting grew in volume. Understandably pissed-off to the point of livid, owner Joc took to the microphone & reamed these assholes a new one. Berating with a disgust not ever heard in this hallowed room before, she unleashed a tirade of utter dismay at their inconsideration toward the MC, the charity and her venue, suitably closing with “This is the zoo, respect it or FUCK OFF” ...and then quietly, “It’s our birthday & this is how I’m going to remember it…” My heart sank at that moment… What have punters come to when they behave like that in The Zoo, on their birthday party, at a charity auction? Check yourselves people before bahhing along with the others, and if you didn’t apologise to Joc on your way out I hope your conscience eats you up like the shitful flyblown sheep that you are. Nuff said, move on.

Butterfingers really know how to turn a night around. Introduced American-style by your friendly neighbourhood blue mohawked punk, Eddie, Ollie, Dave and Damien bounced onto the stage and admitting that it’s been a while since they’ve played, promised to play an extended set tonight in celebration of The Zoo’s birthday. Launching straight into Butterfingers, the 1.5hr set was localised hip hop anthem after anthem. Is It Just Me, Snatch and Grab, I Love Work, Nothin’ Much Happens, Like – œEm When They’re Trouble all delivered with energy and aplomb. Pausing early, Eddie stopped and held up a water bottle, “Now guys, I know it’s hot, but can you please not throw water on the stage. We had that happen once and it hit the keyboard. It fucked the whole set. Thanks.” Reasonable enough request. Will it be heeded? Only time and more raucous bouncing would tell. Shouting out to all of those fans who had been with them since the beginning and wishing the venue many happy returns, they blazed out a punchy version of Mandarines that was followed by the set highlight, everyone jumping and singing in unison, Get Up Outta the Dirt. There’s some discourse with the crowd, a few more tracks, a refreshing bottle of water showered over the crowd by Eddie, some water thrown back on stage (“I told you not to do that!”), a stomping version of Yo Mama and an encore that closed on a high of FIGJAM. Happy 16th Birthday to The Zoo. We love you.

Trundling down the stairs, Joc was at the door handing out Give Some Back cards. “Thank you so much for all you’ve done,” is all I could think to say, and I reiterate it here now. Thank you Joc and C for all of the memories, warmth and support you have provided us indie kids as we grew into musicians and artists proper, for the home away from home you’ve created and the fantastic community work that you do. Charge your glasses to another 16 years or more. Here’s to you.