Rollerball, Dirty York , MyLeft Boot @ East BrunswickClub, Melbourne (11/09/09)

Tue 15th Sep, 2009 in Gig Reviews

Rollerball hit Melbourne hard on Friday night, a brilliant mess of raucous guitars, thumping bass and tight drumming, beards, sweat and beers. Getting local rock heroes My Left Boot and Dirty York in made it a night not to be missed, proving yet again that the rock scene in Melbourne and nationally is perhaps the best it has ever been.

My Left Boot were a late replacement for another band who had pulled out, but showed no signs that it bothered them one bit. Although the crowd was initially down in numbers, My Left Boot made up for it with a huge set of 70s and 80s inspired rock and metal. Huge riffs and an ever present lead guitar soared over the rumble of the bass and drums. And frontman Matt Chapman put in vocal performance that had to be seen to be believed. Recalling the best elements of the likes of the Datsuns, Black Sabbath and Soundgarden, My Left Boot brought all their influences together and punched out some awesome rock.

Dirty York have only been together just over a year or so, but are already recording an eagerly awaited follow up to their debut album Waiting On St George. Not afraid to wear their influences on their sleeves Dirty York brought an element of fun and groove to the night, evoking the Rolling Stones, the Black Crowes and Skynyrd with their take on southern rock and blues. They had the songs, the moves, the talent and the look to boot, and seemed to be enjoying themselves. One lone guy ventured to the edge of the stage for a boogie, and was soon joined by others. It surely was a small crowd, but everyone last one of ‘em loved what they were seeing and hearing onstage.

But everyone had apparently been waiting for the boys from Rollerball, crowd more than tripled once the band hit the stage. And hit it they did. Playing the last show of their current tour, which has included a slot with Monster Magnet no less, Rollerball had the road weary look of rockers who enjoyed their time together this past decade. Drummer Cam Roach held it all together at the back, showing barely an ounce of emotion besides the occasional crazy look that came into his eyes.

You know a band means business when the drummer come onstage only wearing shorts, fully anticipating the efforts that will be needed from the very start of the set. The bass of Stew MacLennan gave the sound some depth while guitarist Dave Talon knocked our riff after classic riff. Singer Matt Boland prowled the stage like a lion as the band ripped through their set. Like the acts who had supported them on the night Rollerball have obvious influences, but aint no one complaining about that when the rock is hitting you right between the eyes. It was over all too early, and a happily drunken reviewing stumbled into the night with ears ringing and a huge smile on the face. There just aint nothing like a night of rock, and the bands gracing the stage in this country right now do it better than most.