Many iconic Australian acts have reformed for one reason or another in recent times, but perhaps one of the more welcomed reformations was that of Sydney funk rock icons Skunkhour.

Having released only the four albums throughout the 90s, Skunkhour forged a path through the angry rock and shallow pop of that decade to bring us classic song after classic song. Songs you could dance to, songs you could sing, songs that meant something. The crowd at the HiFi Bar were to be the last to witness Skunkhour this time around as the band wrapped up their little tour, and there may not have been a more appreciative crowd.

The dance floor was empty though for opening act The Melodics. Combining pure 80s synth pop with poorly written rap vocals didn’t really hit the mark. At times it was simply terrible, a mess of over indulgent musicianship that went from free form jazz piano to Michael Jackson and Paula Abdul, psytrance to weird jam sessions. Throwing a saxophone into the mix seemed more than odd, especially when they – œcovered’ the INXS classic Never Tear Us Apart but left an entire verse out just to get to the sax solo, and then again later on when they just played the sax intro to Baker Street. Apparently they like the – œcheesy’ covers, yet they might have been better off treating those songs with the respect they deserve and making more efforts to get their own tracks up to scratch.

But hell, we weren’t there for the opening act. Tonight was all about Skunkhour. The crowd was a broad mix of older types, surfers, indie kids and drunken bogans, and they loved every minute of it. It did seem to take the band a couple of songs to get started, but once they hit their groove there was no stopping them.

Held together by one damn tight rhythm section and some great guitar work, the dual vocals of singer Aya and MC Del took centre stage. Aya still has that phenomenal voice, while Del’s rapping hit the mark every time, even if he looked a little awkward during the songs from the last two albums, which he was not a part of. But like he said, it was great for them to be back onstage together, to play the songs they loved, and to have that party one more time.

It was all about the songs. Opening with Treacherous Head and State Of Mind, the crowd quickly remembered why they were here, getting a jolt back to their youth, when Triple J was still a great station to listen to while you enjoyed your summer off of some uni degree that you were never going to use (or was that just me?). Kick In The Door, Green Light and That’s The Way were clear early highlights, as was Weightlessness, which may just have the fattest bass line ever written.

Careful to mix the set up, the band played a selection of songs from all four albums, including both the funked up hits like Bootyful and the more mellow tracks like Do You Like It? Breathing Through My Eyes was another clear highlight, before an encore of Sunstone, Heading For Home and Up To Our Necks In It ended the night on an obvious high.

Sunstone showcased what Skunkhour always did best – a great funk beat under a riff that would have made Keith Richards smile, rapping that means something and was delivered as such (take note all you little Aussie MCs) and vocals that were strong and passionate. Up To Our Necks In It was the song of the night though, blending heartfelt rapping, poetry almost, with the subtle musicianship and singing that makes it one of the all time great songs in Australian music history.

A second encore of one song was a nice if excessive way to say goodbye, and it was over. They may not have had the passion and intensity of their heyday, but hell, who of us does? Tonight was special because it took us all back to a time in our lives that seems somewhat distant now, and everyone in the crowd was better for it, as were the band no doubt. Thanks lads, hope to see you again soon.

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