zxspecky @ LeedervilleSporting Club, Perth(15/05/10)

Mon 17th May, 2010 in Gig Reviews

The launch of issue five of punk lifestyle ‘zine Lost in the Suburbz featured a varied line-up of Perth Punk bands. What’s a ‘zine? It’s like a blog that has been printed out (and mostly written at the last minute to meet deadlines). Launched at Leederville Sporting Club with the PA running through the speakers in the ceiling and a couple of spotlights on chairs for illumination; this gig was almost as DIY as the ‘zine it was launching.

First band up were “Perth’s newest Ska band” Blame Game, appearing as a seven-piece (the trombone player was absent). Blame Game suffered the most from the minimal PA set-up with the keys, sax and vocals drowned out by the rest of the band. The songs were held together by a solid rhythm section and some originality, (something that is often lacking in ska bands), from the mix of punk elements.

A surprising highlight of the set was a mash-up of My Boy Lollipop and Hound Dog which were suitably skanked up and featured a killer solo as guitarist Michael switched from playing rhythm.
It was only by the last couple of songs that singer Jonothan really found his groove and started busting out the kind of moves you’d expect from a ska band front-man.

Blame Game are a very new band, playing their first show a little over a month ago, and they have plenty of potential to grow.

Second band up were Blazin’ Entrails who looked fully set to rock this town with a quiff, a Gretsch and a double bass and when they started they exploded with a lot more energy than their look gave them credit for. Whilst there’s obviously a strong rockabilly influence in this band, there is also a lot more; with some punk and heavy rock influences evident as well.

Guitarist/Vocalist Caleb Entrails brought the style, and not just with his latex pants. As he performed, he switched between a well practised power stance in front of his 50’s style microphone and jumping back for some powerful riffs, delicious solos and vicious attacks on the guitar’s whammy bar. He also made great use of reverb and tremolo on his guitar giving the quieter parts that smooth rockabilly vibe.

The FAIM Project were the real highlight of the night. Where the other bands suffered somewhat with the lo-fi PA setup, FAIM Project overcame this with the kind of stage presence and energy that many Perth bands should be jealous of.

A few songs into the set, front-man Noah Skape had ripped off his shirt and donned a pair of dark goggles, like a superhero of indie-punk, and there were already two broken guitar strings and a badly injured mic stand. Skape was throwing himself to the ground and back up again, jumping around so much that the entire section of carpet the band was playing on moved for a brief moment before popping back into place. Special mention to guitarist Stefan Caramia for kicking him while he was down at one point. As clichéd as it sounds, this is a band that really has to be seen to be experienced.

Finishing up the night was zxspecky who describe their sound as “high-speed-distorto-pop”. They’ve got the high-speed-distorto part down, but their songs lacked the hooks and melodies and other such hallmarks of pop music. That’s not to say it was bad. This is a great sounding punk band with energy and charisma and a real underlying passion that shows through in their songs.

Guitarist/singer Ben Watson connected well with the crowd, drawing them in close and getting them moving. He strutted amongst them and appeared to attempt to eat the head of a girl that got too close, all while still playing guitar. It was short, fast and loud, but with a bit more substance than your average punk band and was a great end to a night dedicated to ‘punk lifestyle’.

Let’s hope we see more shows happening at sports clubs, with lawn bowls between bands and (close to) 1970’s drinks prices. But fingers crossed next time they bring in a better PA!