Sometimes its a little misleading seeing a band for the first time, in a big venue, in front of a large, vocal crowd.

It’s easy to get caught up in the hype and have your judgement clouded by emotion and the occasion, and more often than not a band you thought were excellent the first time you see them as a support act fade into obscurity and never quite reach the standards you yourself have set for them.

So, with this in mind, I tested this theory by backing up the night after Repeat Offenders eye catching set supporting the Butterfly Effect at Brothers Leagues Club in Cairns, and went to see them at a smaller venue with a smaller crowd and was pleasantly surprised to hear that not only was I right when I thought they were awesome the night before, they were actually better.

This Brisbane four piece are destined for bigger things. and from the time they exploded onto the stage until they paved way for the Butterfly Effect they decimated the crowd with a tight, energetic set that whet the appetite perfectly for the headliners.

Playing songs off their E.P, including current single, ‘Amphetamine’ which is getting airplay on Triple J, Repeat Offender weren’t merely here for the ride, they were hell bent on driving!

With a two pronged vocal attack the music was loud, aggressive and infectious, with the bands enthusiasm and vibe spilling off stage and winning the ears and respect of the crowd at both shows.

It’s refreshing in these days of manufactured music to see a band, especially an Aussie band, not afraid to strip themselves bare and put themselves out to their fans, but that is exactly what The Butterfly Effect did as they took to the stage amid a modest light show. There was no time for self adulation or ego. No pretentions. No gimmicks.

These guys knew what they were here to do and they delivered.

With a new album to promote, Butterfly Effect played a smattering of tunes off their debut CD but focused more on their newer material from Imago, delivering it with an intensity that can only be borne out of pride in your music. Their sound continued on its eclectic course from their self titled album, with a more polished, rounded harmonial edge to their music that enhanced the quality.

Structurally, the Butterfly Effect’s music can best be described as eclectic, with timing and tempo changes thrown in at random intervals without upsetting their continuity and freshness. In reality, their sound shouldn’t work but it does and does so with style.

While newer material such as ‘Gone’ and ‘A Slow Descent’ were well recieved, the crowd reached fever pitch with songs ‘One Second of Insanity’ and ‘Always’ inciting a seething mosh of bodies in front of stage.

Vocalist Clint Boge is the ultimate front man, a singer who knows his job and delivers. There were no lengthy speeches on world peace or other mundane matters, it was stand and deliver throughout. Just the way it should be.