CHECK OUT ALL THE PHOTOS HERE.

It was yet another Friday night in the Winter months, arctic cold and miserable. Not miserable enough, however, for a moshpit akin to a sauna and cheap shots tossed at ex-girlfriends. Presenting Sydney-siders Bluejuice and Philadelphia Grand Jury.

As second support for the night, at the brunt of Going to the Casino fame, were Philadelphia Grand Jury. I will confess the only song I’d heard of theirs was featured on the Underbelly soundtrack, so I was curious to see what a complete set from them would reveal about the Sydney trio. They didn’t disappoint – presenting a series of hard drum snares and growling guitar distortion. Going to the Casino was a highlight, in which they employed three punk girls to be go-go dancers on the stage, shaking their hips in a red lipsticked blur in front of the drum kit.

Beyond the jiggling flesh, PGJ’s drummer was perhaps the biggest highlight. I’ve never seen a band member look so bored in my entire life, yet play so well. Throughout the entire set he sat staring at the lighting rigs looking utterly rigid. Yet at the end he suddenly broke loose like a land mine that had been stepped on. Following in the footsteps of his band and crowdsurfing guitar-in-hand, even after the others had walked off he stayed on, flitting from instrument to instrument breaking out in solos. The show finally ended with him skolling a bottle of Mt Franklin and dribbling it all over his face and shirt. That was what I call a dark horse finale.

Next up was Bluejuice. I’ve seen this band before, but in spite of this they are still an interesting band to watch. Regardless of where they go, they are guaranteed to spur up a crowd frenzy. Which they did within the first two songs – “What do you want to hear next?!” lead singer Jake Stone cried, responded with “VITRIOL” from an impatient crowd member. Opening up with quirky keyboard licks teamed with shouted mantras from the two vocalists, their dual stage-bouncing and lyrical ping pong is an admirable feat. “This song is about my lesbian ex-girlfriend,” Stone boasted, swaggering with a glass of wine before launching into Let’s Kill It.

The mosh were feeding off the singer’s energy, trying to match their jumps with ones even higher. This was all well and good until fun turned into borderline violence. One particular woman, dancing in front of me, was thrusting her arms in the arm so furiously she was nearly hitting me in the face. Amidst passing comments to my friend about said dancing, she overheard me and tried to pick a fight. As a responsible FL representative I sipped my drink and did not retaliate, but needless to say I did eye her down with all the inner hell I could muster.

Highlights of the gig included Hunnamunnafeeb, Phantom Boogie and a finale of Vitriol. A good show and a great warm-up to cure the chill of those frosty Friday nights.

CHECK OUT ALL THE PHOTOS HERE.