We all know that Perth is the most isolated city in the world. Thankfully there is a healthy little music scene down here, with some fantastic bands and an enthusiastic public willing to get behind them and show their support. So when Schvendes and The Wednesday Society organised their fundraiser gig for a Saturday night at the Amplifier Bar it was no surprise that punters would flock down. They came from all corners of the city to share a few drinks, soak up the tunes and generally mingle amongst likeminded individuals all helping the cause to get Perth music out to the world – namely Canada – for the Canadian Music Week Festival, to which these two bands have been invited.

Hooper’s Store, an instrumental band, were chosen to open the evening. As an opening band in Perth these days you end up playing during the last half-hour or so of daylight, when most punters are still enjoying a cold drink after a long hot day. Because of this, the crowd often does not reflect the quality of a band’s set and Hooper’s Store played their melodic and moving tunes to a sparse yet appreciative few – several of whom would take to the stage in other bands later in the evening. Still, there is a lot to be said for your music when your peers and fellow musicians take notice.

Next on the bill were Sex Panther. Four young ladies donned in ‘80s rock chic – hot pink leggings and black singlet tees draped over their shoulders. They played a brand of melodic, grungy-indie-rock with some beautiful vocal melodies and murky guitars which brought a smile to a few faces in the audience. They are a great fun band to watch and you could see all the band members were having fun too, smiling at each other and generally enjoying playing music to a favourable home crowd.

Streetlight followed Sex Panther, bringing a slight change in tempo. Their chaotic and jolting stage show was in full swing right from Rachel Aquilina’s opening plucks on her violin until the set’s brutal ending. Streetlight drew the biggest crowd yet, almost filling the back bar at Amplifier, and patrons weren’t let down. Their set had punters recoiling due to the force of the riffage, dancing to the beats and in awe of the band’s atmospheric sounds all in the space of a half-hour set. Although these guys weren’t the main attraction on the night, you wouldn’t have guessed this as their stage presence and the sheer force of their set was second to none.

In between sets the drinks flowed from the bars and punters all took time to mingle and share stories of which bands were there favourites on the night. The atmosphere in the beer garden really was fantastic and made the time in between sets seem like it didn’t even exist. Onto the co-headliners and The Canada-bound Wednesday Society. They were one of the two bands that all the punters came to support and the four-piece obliged by performing a flawless set to the adorning crowd. With disjointed guitar riffs, throbbing basslines and pounding drums the band had fans dancing away but always kept the crowd unsure of what the band would spring on them next. Bo Peep and Perfect Competition were highlights of a set that proved this band have what it takes to become one of our best exports.

Schevendes , the other act preparing tohead over to the Canadian Music Week, closed the night. After the sensory assault of the previous band, Schvendes showed they are a band whose strength grows more through subtlety. At first they lull with the dark beauty of their sound and then, like a predator in the night, they strike with a disturbing and violent collision of unsettling vocals and piercing keys and guitar. They were in fine form and fans took delight as Schvendes headed an entourage of five quality Perth bands on the one bill. Fans were able to take home a little souvenir of their evening as well with a 2CD tour pack – an EP from The Wednesday Society and one from Schvendes too. The night highlighted the willingness of Perth punters to get behind homegrown bands and show their support. And why wouldn’t you, when the atmosphere is so relaxed and their are great bands to watch?