Bugdust @ Bat And Ball Hotel,Sydney, 21/05/2004

Wed 26th May, 2004 in Gig Reviews

There’s many a moment of clarity been experienced in venues serving alcohol. Usually they revolve around one’s consumption of aforementioned liquids or behaviour after same. But not tonight. Tonight’s razor-sharp observation more revolved around the deep philosophical question of why it is, exactly, a band as good as Bugdust are playing to fewer than thirty punters.

Having not seen The Crisps or AJ, the two supports of the evening, it’s impossible to say how they fared in comparison to the headliners. But they would’ve had to pull some pretty stylish rock moves out of the roadcase in order to top the balls-out “ARE YOU READY TO ROCK?” show that this four-piece were packing. The band’s played gigs with Pacifier, and it appears from tonight’s show that everything they’d seen from that stage-sharing has been taken to heart. Like that band, the performance here is faultless, and full of classic rock moves. That doesn’t mean it’s pre-rehearsed, though. Indeed, when they take to the stage and launch into the first song, the four-piece adopt guitars-in-air poses, summoning down some fearsome rock energy in that exuberant, Bill-And-Ted kind of way. All closed-eye soloing and two-guys-one-microphone stances, they’re riffling through the pantheon of performers’ finest stage tricks, but unlike other bands, they’ve a refreshing honesty that carries it off. This is something that a brief chat with band members cements after the show – they’re earnest, nice guys, who are enthused that people want to watch them. There’s no rider-nitpicking arrogance here, just a dedication to the music – and it shows.

Musically? Finally, we have a band who’s unashamed to use the cowbell! Bugdust’s sound is strong and thick. There’s overtones of early-era Iron Maiden (without the histrionics), The Hellacopters (those double-guitar leads are a killer), Black Sabbath and general Detroit rock in their sound, but it’s constructed in a way that makes it sound their own. This evening’s mix pretty much knackers their three-part vocal harmonies – what happened to the voice levels? – but the polish amid the rough is communicated clearly enough. There’s stoner rock and acid freakout tinges to the tunes, but any idea of slacking is removed as soon as the guys open up and let rip. The drummer’s shirt goes by the wayside as the tunes begin to cook, and it’s impressive to note that the group stays locked in with one another, no matter how slow or heavy the tunes get. There’s a tripping fluidity to the performance that’s enthralling, and that’s before you get to the bits that sound like they’re improved versions of Master Of Puppets riffs. This is superb, head-nodding rock-and-roll mayhem; simplicity and tightness used to devastating effect. The evening’s rendition of Set To Snap, from their four-track EP, obliterates the original, before ending with a bass player atop a bass drum, all fucked-amp glory and fist-in-air bravado. Class.

It’s usually a pretty good indicator that a band you haven’t seen before has their rock ducks in a row if you find you can play air guitar along with them on a first listening. The amount of phantom axe-wranglers in the Bat And Ball this evening was terrifying. So again, the question raises itself: how come Jet are playing festivals and Bugdust aren’t? Why is it that something so good is happening in front of so few? 

If the Muses exist, boys, then they’re fuckin’ with you. Your time will – if there’s any justice – surely come. Rock needs more majesty – but just be sure to take those devil’s horns with you on your travels.