MM9 @ Newport Hotel, Fremantle(21/11/10)

Wed 24th Nov, 2010 in Gig Reviews

Sydney electro rockers MM9 may have lured more tattoo-clad, dreadlock savvy, head-beating gangsters, had they not, being the head liner for the evening, played at 8.30pm. They created quite a buzz with fans, random punters and those who were having a quiet beer at the Newport Hotel live music Sunday session to end the relaxing, humid weekend that was. Five minutes before MM9 were due to hit the small stage in the sparse, open room, it was evident that this gig was going to be quite the private and intimate performance.

An extremely supportive group of no more than 40 people moved into three straight spacious lines when the boys in black stepped upon the dimly lit stage; any hardcore MM9 fan would’ve been laughing in appreciation.

Beginning their fiery, energetic set with the unfamiliar but exquisitely powerful remix of Trains, it was the chaotically, uncontrolled movements of bassist Luke Ford that set the outrageously high standard of energy for the entire evening that got underway.

Drummer, Ben Ellingworth’s absolute smashing in Disappear probably left a few inquisitive punters and drummers in the audience asking, “Well where can he even go after that?” It was an outstanding spectacle, not to mention the drumstick twirling that Ellingworth managed to somehow incorporate into the incredibly fast-paced solo. Frontman Dan Sutherland got the fire cracking when more familiar Talking To Himself blasted through the huge bass pumping speakers. Letting his tongue hang out like a dog occasionally and taking on a playful predator persona, Sutherland captivated the warming audience.

The tight, electro sound that introduces recent album titled track Let it Take Over was supported by Sutherland’s powerfully passionate vocals. What was perhaps the most enthralling part of the set was without doubt the mind-fucking chorus that pierced the insides of the already-ringing eardrums and made one want to scream along with the harsh lyrics and bash one’s limbs about the dirty pub floor as the electric synths and multi-instrumental chaos of talent smothered the stage.

The tight electro beat underscoring Living Dumb and most well-known tune SOSOS saw a row of baggy shorts wearing men move their stiff heads and necks forward and back, almost mimicking Walk Like An Egyptian, except in the most heavy rock way. It wasn’t only the audience that were surprisingly entertaining, Sutherland had his own liners which he presented to the less-than-rowdy audience (aside from one punter doing somersaults near the front of the stage), particularly towards the end of the set: “You guys are awesome for a Sunday night, we love Freo, actually we love Perth” before jokingly adding, “Not in a gay way…yeah we’re gay.” Then the joint vocals of Sutherland, guitarist Kerry Foulke and Ford in They Murder hyped up the already overflowing energetic set.

Concluding their hour with the softer and more dramatic A Devil Once Said, was a surprising choice but by no means a bad one. As the thrilling build up to the chorus began, sweat was dripping in every direction and Sutherland’s fringe was a ragged, messy mop.

With strobe lights piercing retinas and all hands on deck, MM9’s last show before taking a hiatus for the next six months before their next album was fucking insane to say the least. Labelling their live show as ‘epic’ just doesn’t come close to describing the absolute mayhem that leaves punters in awe after any MM9 show.