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Good news Canberran music lovers, The Greenroom is back and louder than ever!

Saturday night and upon arrival to The Maram this reviewer’s heart broke a little. The clientele seemed to comprise of people who could be your uncle or aunt, mates who clocked in straight after clocking off, and that girl who’s only mission for the night was to get herself a man.

The night commenced as support act Rodeo warmed the stage and the audience, a handful of fans, enjoyed the thumping noise of Devil’s Hands and Stepping Stone. Meanwhile most ticket holders cleared the room and headed for a cheap drink at The Maram’s bistro viewing the rest of Rodeo’s performance seated on a couch or bar stool (Wallabies versus England game on the big screen).

Next up Hancock Basement lured listeners back inside with a contrastingly tight number, Don Juan. Local and loyal to the Canberra music scene it comes as no surprise to see Hancock Basement supporting the new venue. Refreshingly clear vocals and riffs without the over theatrical frontman (we thank you Nick Craven), Hancock Basement delivered upbeat pop-rock with old and new favourites. Hey Kids was a clear hit, with the audience slipping on their dance shoes. The lads ended their somewhat brief twenty minute set with We Started Nothing, and left us craving more as Nick Beresford-Wylie left his keyboard to perform a brilliant solo on saxophone.

Waiting for the headline act to grace the stage, fill music entertained the lingering crowd, bodies flirtatiously grooving to the sounds of Live and Gotye.

Drinks flowing and fans gathering, Wolf and Cub needed no introduction. Its first number, with bottom heavy beats, was hard and fast. Two drummers in constant battle, but fighting for the same team, this is a band that is all about rhythm. As the first song was belted out the bassist threw his guitar up and against a support beam, metal to metal, the sound of the grinding strings launched the night’s lesson in experimental rock.

With three out of four band members making up the rhythm section it was up to frontman, Joel Byrne, to add melody and colour to the music. Joel definitely held his own, moody vocals and psychedelic strains of guitar casting a spell over the crowd. The set list drifted from one song to the next with no breaks or banter between. The only exception to this was the next to last song where we were privileged with two different versions because the sound guy couldn’t get the drum machine into the monitors. Seven Sevens, Restless Sons, This Mess, One To The Other and Hearts sent minds into another realm.

Unrelenting waves of sound with light show to match, the hypnotised audience joined Joel as he worshiped the green laser light emitting from centre stage. Hands held high, glazed eyes and swaying bodies were brought back to reality only by extreme strobe lighting and a two-man drumming onslaught.

Wolf and Cub brought its edgy and chaotic set to a close as a John-Lennon-wannabe-fan stormed on stage almost crashing (twice) into Marvin Hammond’s kit. Cheers all around, presumably for the band’s impressive performance, but also a little from sheer relief that Mr. Lennon’s stomach contents remained unseen.

Left in a trance, the audience were not given an encore, however they didn’t seem too disappointed. Wolf and Cub had delivered an unabated performance that surpassed everyone’s expectations.

First impressions mean nothing after a good night of brilliant music in a great venue. Now time for a drink at the bistro with my mates, a game of pool with my uncle and while I’m at it let’s help that charming girl with her quest for love.

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