Aaagh Bats! @Double LuckyLeederville, Perth (06/03/11)

Mon 7th Mar, 2011 in Gig Reviews

Its good to see a West Australian act that’s up for a challenge, because it is a challenge to launch your debut EP on the same weekend as two major festivals. But if that’s not enough competition, how about hosting it at a venue that doesn’t usually have live bands, let alone an in-house PA. Where another act may have cowered in fear, dirty punk band Aaagh Bats! did not. They launched Show us ya fangs to a sell out crowd at Double Lucky, Leederville.

You wouldn’t be to blame if you didn’t hear about this particular event. Firstly Aaagh Bats! spent no money on promotion, they decided it would be more fun to put it on a bar tab for everyone and anyone. They then ordered you to buy your tickets online with only a small number being available on the door.

The first hour was overly tense, most people had joined the queue to get into the venue at 5 o’clock and take advantage of the bar tab. Most were dressed in assorted gothic grunge attire. Some came in suits and tuxedos, some came in their underwear, most were in black. Sound check was still taking place and the limited crew were madly running around trying to ignore the lack of lighting. Bar staff were unaware of the bar tab rules, there was talk of the first act being pulled, the DJ was lost and the only sound over the rabble was a crying baby; this fast filling venue was full of unrest. It needed a saviour, and it came in the form of filthy rockers The Bible Bashers.

After the first twang of overly high pitched guitar the mob quickly moved from bar to front of stage, seemingly happy to be in the reach of handsy, spitting front man Laith Tyranny. The band powered through its fast rock n roll show with Tyranny playing the eccentric front man perfectly. Hailing Satan regularly and with plenty of hymns to drinking, the crowd were entertained. “my momma didn’t raise me right”, no one dared argue.

The Blazin’ Entrails and their brand of psychobilly rock took over from where the Bible Bashers left off. The songs to Satan continued, with highlights being a tune about Zombie Elvis and Aaagh Bats! front woman Tobi-lea Gogo joining the trio for their tune Lick My Boots.

The Clock Strikes did their best to keep up with the Satan worshippers who had come before them. They cussed appropriately between songs and their 70’s inspired nu-metal mix of Tool and Pearl Jam was intriguing, but the rowdy mob of fans were there to see one act and one act only.

The crowd swelled, fuelled by the dwindling bar tab and the tease of burlesque dancers. Lucky punters received goodie boxes reminiscent of childhood birthday lolly bags. Chanting began as the effects of the bar tab were now obvious. In a swirl of leather, underwear and corsets, 80s inspired guitar riffs came to life and Aaagh Bats! was away.

The strongest part of Aaagh Bats! is the unique characters that make its sound. Guitar shredder/show off Sasha Tostevin would fit in well in a hair metal band. He was finely dressed in a woman’s corset and leather pants. Drummer Lauren Reece is brilliant as the band’s backbone. Paul Bovenkirk, well known as the bassist in The Spitfires (and plays his instrument like Michael Cera in Scott Pilgrim vs the World ), brings the obvious punk element to the band. Tobi-Lea Gogo is Joan Jett and Cherie Currie combined. Dressed in sequins and underwear she struts around the stage, stomping her feet and growling into the microphone, flailing her arms when called for.

Aaagh Bats! pulled out a cover version of L7’s Shitlist and ended the night messy, sweaty and thunderous. Despite a few technical hiccups it was a roaring success. Expect to hear more from this dirty punk band.