Paper Scissors, TheBelligerents @ The Clubhouse,Brisbane (21/10/2010)

Sun 24th Oct, 2010 in Gig Reviews

After getting the venue right the second time around, this reviewer walked in mid-set on five-piece support The Belligerents. These self-proclaimed dance punk Brisbanites were awarded by the small crowd with enthusiastic dance moves, as they slammed out clap-inciting, disjointed tunes. The somewhat bipolar tempo changes were also reflected eagerly by the audience.

The Paper Scissors have clearly gained enough of a presence to have ‘new’ songs and ‘old’ ones. They started with one of the former, off second full-length album In Loving Memory. This was followed by one of the latter, complete with cow bell, and wolf-like yelps reminiscent of Cold War Kids.

Peter Garret-esque lead singer Jai Pyne had a few dance moves similar to the former Midnight Oil frontman. One punter even called out for the reformed politician.

Early on during the set, the small Thursday night crowd were seated. Pyne called attention to the lack of audience participation, “you don’t have to sit down.” It wasn’t long before audience members, including members of the previous band were up and moving. By the third song The Paper Scissors were inciting clap-alongs of their own. “I’m going to keep all twelve of you dancing,” Pyne quipped.

We Don’t Walk was undoubtedly the highlight of the night. The band’s most well-known song delivered fragmented, unrelenting guitar and a refrain which the audience called back with enthusiasm.

The band’s energetic set slowed towards the end only to pick up again with two final songs off the new album. The band closed with Lung Sum, lead single off the new long-player. Pyne spoke proudly of the band’s latest release, and was genuinely excited about the airing of the track’s video clip on Rage, with the track’s stark bass and ambient guitar have gained it play on Triple J.

This is by no means the last we will see of this band who are already making waves. At the risk of making a bad dad joke, Paper Scissors rock!