Frenzal Rhomb, No Use For AName @ ANU Bar, Canberra(29/7/11)

Sun 31st Jul, 2011 in Gig Reviews

A diaspora of those clad in plaid shirts, mohawks and band tees decorated a packed ANU Bar on Friday night for iconoclastic Australian punk outfit Frenzal Rhomb, finally breaking the drought after too long an absence in the capital.

It was a joyous experience to immerse oneself amongst the diverse and lively crowd who made the trek out on the night, some travelling out of state for the chance to experience the light-hearted chaos that Frenzal Rhomb so aptly embodies.

A collective good mood was omniscient throughout the venue as Californian pop-punk mainstays No Use For A Name were given the opening slot honours, getting the ball rolling to an already fervent collage of limbs and hair flung this way and that under the vibrant magenta lighting. No Use For A Name provided the perfect introductory entrée, the vibrant pop of the snare coursing through a lively set of melodic yet undeniably aggressive hardcore punk. A spot-on mix gave each instrument room to breathe and negotiate amongst each other, whilst Tony Sly orchestrated a tight-knit sing-a-long with the more dedicated upfront as he belted it out on stage. A headline worthy performance.

The night’s main attraction took little time materialising on stage, an ecstatic crowd luring the Sydney quintet before them with the incredibly passionate chant of “Frenzal!” being repeated with exponential vigour and determination. A down-to-earth Lindsay McDougall greeted his audience before Frenzal Rhomb burst almost effortlessly into their trademark sound that has come to define Australian punk over their 19 or so years together. Each number was reciprocated with fervent and raucous approval; almost everyone in the room singing along with the dreadlocked Jason Whalley as he lurched back and forth across the stage with an ominous demeanour, appearing to be in an almost hypnotic state of euphoria, sending his ridiculously thick dreads wind-milling with wanton abandon to the short, sharp chord changes being acutely punctuated by a sterling performance behind the skins courtesy of Gordy Forman.

Tapping into their richly varied and down-right awesome oeuvre, Frenzal Rhomb played a set that obviously resonated with the crowd; each number in effect a sing-a-long with the several hundred well lubricated punters. A fantastic mix made a an already brilliant performance all the more special, with a set list in which it would be unfair to single out any one track; everyone there on the night undoubtedly had their own highlight and special moment (especially those lucky enough the snare a kiss from McDougall after the lights came on).

A Frenzal Rhomb gig is best described as a barometer for live music; the unrelenting energy and utter madness that their performances embody is everything live music should be; shorter, faster louder (awful pun intended).