Have a peek at Stuo’s gallery
The Devil Rides Out were the ideal opening act for this evening – in fact, a better match among Perth bands would probably not be possible. Delivering punch after riff-laden punch to the early arrivals, it’s easy to see why this band has built the reputation they have – put simply, they rock. They got a nice long set, being the only support act on the bill, and impressed both new fans and old.
After what seemed like an interminably long period of time for set up – although not as long as the ten years it’s taken for Monster Magnet to come back to our shores – the main act ambled onto stage, to a roar worthy of ten years from the crowd. At first glance, a lot has changed in the Monster Magnet camp; gone are the leather pants, silver codpiece and uber-cool rock god regalia. After recovering from a prescription drug overdose in 2006, mainman Dave Wyndorf, once one of the sexiest men in rock, appears to be at least twice the man he used to be, physically speaking.
But as they break into the big opening riff from Dopes To Infinity, it’s only a few seconds the realisation that nothing has really changed hits. “We are the only ones”, sang Wyndorf, and the crowd, arms aloft, agreed. “We are all here my friends, alive and spaced but all so beautiful”. A perfect song – and the perfect sentiment – to begin the set.
The current lineup has no less than three guitarists – in addition to Wyndorf, there’s Ed Mundell, who still looks like he’s about 14 years old, and returning axeman Phil Caivano. Jim Baglino handles bass duties and drummer Bob Pantella rounds out the five-piece. The guitar sound, not surprisingly, was beautifully clear but the vocals were at times lost in the mix.
Psychedelic imagery swirling in the background and smoke machine working overtime, it soon became clear that tonight would be a time for classics. Crop Circle gave way to Powertrip. “I’m never gonna work another day in my life” was a popular line, screamed out by almost everyone in attendance – most of whom would obediently turn up to work the next morning. Rock n’ roll, baby. More songs from the early 90’s followed – Twin Earth, Third Alternative – but it was Zodiac Lung, from the band’s debut release Spine of God, that held the room spellbound as Wyndorf tenderly sang “it’s fuckups like you that never seem to go away” to the adoring crowd, who lapped up every word.
Radiation Day and The Right Stuff followed, but the biggest hits were saved for last. Negasonic Teenage Warhead was every bit the anti-anthem, and then it was time for the song that everyone had been waiting for, Spacelord. Wyndorf said that “it would be real nice” if every time he sang “Spacelord, motherfucker” the crowd would also sing those words, and they were more than happy to help out.
Encore time. Melt started things rolling, but rather than more big hits or classic songs, the band reached deep into their back catalogue with Cage Around The Sun, Tractor, and finally a long, drawn out and epic Spine of God. Then it was over, the long-time fans no doubt noting that the band’s latest release, 4-Way Diablo from 2007, had been ignored completely in the set list.
Some things have changed, but Monster Magnet are a guitar-worshipping psychedelic retro space punk rock band, and that will never change. Dave Wyndorf may have been to the edge and back but he’s with us now, “alive and spaced but all so beautiful”, and only time will tell what Monster Magnet will come up with next.
Have a peek at Stuo’s gallery
