Scalphunter @ Rocket Room,Perth (11/03/11)

Wed 16th Mar, 2011 in Gig Reviews

Scalphunter are still a relatively new band, in the scheme of things. Despite the considerable individual experience of their members (dudes from Chainsaw Hookers and Drunk In Japan among others), they’ve been patiently playing early slots at punk shows for a good couple of years now. This, their debut CD launch, was their first headline slot and the night they came of age. Scalphunter sold out the Rocket Room, and the evening kicked total arse.

Opening up a strong lineup of support acts were Mandurah’s scum-fuck rock’n’roll blokes The Lungs. These guys hadn’t played a show for a while—in fact, it hasn’t been an easy 12 months or so for the band: their guitarist mysteriously disappeared last year, and a member had his arm broken not long ago. But, in typical style, the band have not let this phase them one iota. The new guitarist slotted right in, and The Lungs played a great set of scuzzed-out punk that sounded tight as fuck through the recently improved Rocket Room PA.

Bunbury’s skate punk heroes Silver Lizard are finally starting to get some gigs in Perth, which is great to see. The Scalphunter launch was probably one of the first times many Perth crew had seen them, and they certainly won a few punters over. There aren’t many bands in Perth mining the same vein as Silver Lizard, and their enthusiasm, passion and total lack of pretention are a breath of fresh air. They also have skill, to boot, and a brand new CD on the market. Definitely a band to watch.

The Bob Gordons have long been Perth’s most excellently named band, and (not to be presumptuous) they brought plenty of that ‘middle class white boy’ style humour to the table. The reception from the crowd was a positive one, and indeed, they’re a top-notch band to have a few brews to. That is, after all, what good punk rock is all about, and there was much murmuring among punters as to their resemblance to an early Frenzal Rhomb. This reporter denies that—they’re nowhere near melodic or memorable enough for that—but they could easily be a young NOFX without the metal. A fun band, for sure.

Blazing Entrails have had a good run of late. They stood out a little on the night though due to the fact that they were way more rockabilly influenced than everybody else on the lineup. However, let’s not let a little upright bass get in the way of bitchin’ punk rock—and this band has that down pat. Blazing Entrails played a set of kick-arse horror punk and as with every band this evening the audience (by now heading well toward capacity) lapped it up like hungry dogs.

People stopped being admitted to the Rocket Room some time before Scalphunter got on stage. There couldn’t have been a surer sign that punters and artists alike were in for a corker of a set, and fortunately Scalphunter had the fortitude to deliver. For a first ever headline show, the set went absolutely perfectly. A packed front row got increasingly messy as a totally on-fire Alex Cotton (guitar) darted about the stage. Frontman/guitarist Steve Knoth took in the whole affair in his stride, but he must have been pumped with the response.

This night had everything a punk show in a club should have: a great lineup, a bitchin’ headliner on the rise, a packed house and a relentless number of beers. What a blinder. Well done