We are about to enter the Amplifier Bar in Perth, on a particularly cold Saturday night. Not to worry however because the venue itself will get rid of the goose bumps which have arisen beneath our jackets.
Upon entry all patrons are greeted with the rather disappointing news that Sunk Loto would not be performing due to their drummer, Dane, being ill. This is only a slight set back to the night, however, for most patrons decide to stay and gather in the warmth that the bands who are left are eager to provide. The night is set with Beside The Point, 8 Foot Sativa, and Full Scale all raring to take the stage.
It is nearing nine o’clock and the area in front of the stage is starting to fill as local Perth band, Beside The Point, are getting ready to go on. The lights are dimmed and the smoke machines exhale as BTP take their places. The band starts to play and the crowd cheer with anticipation. Their music is a nice way to introduce you to the night but that is all it is. It begins to warm you to the rest of the night of music remaining. You think to yourself, “How clever it was that the BTP bass player was able to play with only 3 strings after one of his strings broke half-way through the set.” You really couldn’t tell the difference by the end of it.
As BTP leave the stage the crowd in front follow suit and head out to the drinking area during the short intermission break allowing 8 Foot Sativa to set up shop.
Once again the lights are dimmed and this time 8 Foot Sativa’s frontman Jack Hammer calls the audience to gather before him like a shepherd to his sheep. Everyone does as he requests and the band begins. Their heavy riffs blast the small dome which is the Amplifier and we are forced to start banging our heads profusely. The bass player, Brent, is playing some unforgettable riffs that strongly hold the rest of the band together. Jack Hammer is stretching his vocal chords well beyond that of most, as his screams hold their way through the lyrics of their songs. The image cemented is that of death metal. The only song that the lyrics were made more comprehensible to was the self-titled track, 8 Foot Sativa. “Step-up, step-up, step-up,” is extremely catchy and an awesome attribute to the likeableness of the song.
8 Foot Sativa wrap up their set and finish by adding how they are a band from New Zealand who currently have two cds available. They were quite impressive, particularly if extremely heavy/death metal is your thing. 8 Foot Sativa leave the stage and once again the crowd dismantles for the intermission break, waiting for the final act, Full Scale, to prepare.
Full Scale finally make their presence known and almost every single patron takes to the front of the stage. It becomes the most crowded it has been all night. The frontman for Full Scale, Ezekiel Ox, is extremely energetic with the vocals of a beast. Every lyric is so politically and emotionally motivated that it is almost impossible not to linger on every word that escapes his mouth. The bass player, Robkaay, also has a presence with his heavy riffs and background vocals, often being the screams behind Ezekiel Ox.
Standout songs for the night include a new rendition of the song, Smiles and a few new songs, The Sickness, Download the Destruction and Sixteen Today, all due to be released on their upcoming album hopefully later this year. Ezekiel Ox introduced Sixteen Today as a song written about life growing up in refugee camps. A very likeable fact with Full Scale is that they deal with real issues in their songs, which can reach out and touch the likes of everyone.
Ezekiel Ox got personal with the crowd when he stepped off the stage on two occasions to sing amongst the fans. As you begin to think that the night could not get much better Jason Brown, frontman for Sunk Loto, is welcomed onto the stage. Jason joins Ezekiel Ox by adding his unbelievable screams and vocal abilities to the hardcore songs, Empty Texas and Party Political. The fans are notably wrapped over the performances. When Jason leaves the stage, Full Scale conclude with the song, Five-Six, with Ezekiel Ox encouraging the audience to, “Back me in!”
Despite the withdrawal of Sunk Loto the night was definitely a success. Bands, Beside the Point and 8 Foot Sativa introduced the night with Full Scale deservingly stealing the show with mind-blowing music and performances that will long be remembered by many.
