Alkaline Trio, The Hot Lies @UNSW Roundhouse, Sydney(11/03/06)

Wed 15th Mar, 2006 in Gig Reviews

With a new album under their belt and more than a few new fans, I was as hyped as the next kid in tight black jeans to witness the triumphant return of Alkaline Trio to Sydney. A good crowd, excited and diverse, was gathering outside the Roundhouse as the daylight still lingered. We were ready. And it was only 5pm.

Once the doors eventually opened at 7pm and the usual scramble for mosh pit prime position had taken place, it was not long until Adelaide’s The Hot Lies took the stage. The band ripped into the kind of set that they are making their trademark: high energy, interactive and (much to the appreciation of the crowd) not too long.

The Hot Lies pulled out both older material and tracks from their current EP, giving novices a chance to get to know them while keeping the hardcore fans happy. Their sound is something rare in the Aussie music scene, making them a unique candidate to support bands like Alkaline Trio, and My Chemical Romance, who they accompanied at their headline shows in December.

Pete Wood’s performance was reminiscent of MCR’s Gerard Way as he strutted around the stage, almost to the point of plagiarism, but he and his bandmates produced a solid set and I’m sure made themselves a few new fans.

As the local boys departed, the mosh was already nice and sweaty and well riled-up. The tension in the room peaked when the Alkies “heartskull” backdrop was revealed behind the drumkit. Soon enough the security lined up, the lights dimmed, and the first reverberating chords of “Private Eye” reached our eager young ears.

Guitarist Matt Skiba, looking sharp in navy pinstripe slacks and waistcoat, howled “Pieces of planes and black box recorders don’t lie” – “DON’T LIE” echoed the wired audience. Drummer Derek Grant gave the crowd demonic glares from beneath his dignified bowler hat and played so fervently he looked like he might hurt himself. Dan Andriano tried valiantly to maintain the image, striking his bass like a man possessed, but finding it hard to keep the smile off his face as he looked out into the sea of adoring faces.

“How many of you guys were here last time we played in Australia?” asked Matt to a loud cheer. “Thanks for coming out to see us again, and thanks for bringing your friends along as well.”

The band continued to express their appreciation to their devoted fans as Matt and Dan swapped almost song-for-song during the night. Themes including serial killers, homicide, alcohol, misery and revenge typically predominated, but the band has a signature skill in contrasting this with catchy chords and sing-a-long choruses.

The set showcased tracks from the new album including “Mercy Me”, “Sadie”, the current single “Burn” and “Time to Waste” in the encore. Favourites like “Hell Yes”, “I Lied My Face Off”, “Maybe I’ll Catch Fire”, and the anti-love anthem “Radio” to end the night hit the mark. Skiba’s vocal could barely be heard during the chorus of “Radio” as the crowd collectively damaged their lungs with “I’ve got A BIG FAT FUCKING BONE TO PICK with you my darling…”

However, the real highlight of the night was surely “This Could Be Love (For Fire)”. We all knew what was coming as Matt explained “Now, when I say ‘this could be love’, you guys have gotta sing back, three words: ‘Love. For. Fire.” Sing back we did as the Roundhouse erupted with noise and joy.

Aside from the below-par sound quality that regular Roundhouse visitors will be well accustomed to, the band produced a set that definitely kept the kids happy. Not that it was flawless, by any means; material pre-1999 was ignored completely, which meant that tracks like “Clavicle”, “Trouble Breathing” and “Sorry About That” didn’t get a mention, the latter I feel being a huge oversight. “Take Lots With Alcohol” was also nowhere to be seen, much to the dire disappointment of my companion on the night.

That being said, the night was one I shan’t be forgetting too soon. Hopefully next time Alkaline Trio roll around, they will have garnered the cred to get them out of the Roundhouse. As mentioned, the sound quality on the night was poor, muffled, and the lighting effects were attractive, but nothing special. The intimacy of the Roundhouse does go a long way to forgiving its faults, though, and there was not a bad view in the ‘house.

At the end of the night: was it worth the chills and squeals that thoughts of the concert have prompted from me in the last few months? Maybe not. However, was it enough to make me sure that I’ll be at the front of the live next time the band grace out shores?