How can you be objective when the translation is going through your mind and not a piece of paper? It’s your ears and your mind, you decide whether it’s any good or not – I’ll just give you an idea of what you could experience.

Surreal: when reality escapes itself, eg sleeping in a waking state.

Sometimes music has the power to awaken you whether or not you’re awake. Sometimes it even has the power to give you more energy, or least, make you feel as though you have more. What a nepenthia it would be if it could come in capsule form… every day, a new experience from the sounds that are expressed and escaped into.

Last night was one example without the capsule. Packed full of awesome drum work throughout the night, the performances were reviving, even if only for a few hours.

The Trevallys, a two-piece – who says you need a bassist to play good music? In all honesty, if the drummer was any other, the music probably wouldn’t be that good. He drives the bassline and when there are no drums, the music, the good vibes, they dissipate and you’re left feeling a little empty. So having praised the drummer so highly how does the rest of the music rate, the guitar and the vocals? Just a little more than average. They’re definitely worth seeing again – but in a few months time to see how they’ve progressed, as they do have a little something extra – even with their ‘missing pieces’.

Pahlemik are a crazy, yet jiving band. No, they don’t play jive, but they have some. Take Primus for instance – they often break out some crazy and even outlandish riffs then skillfully and fluidly go back into the ‘main’ song. This is how Pahlemik are and they’re pretty darn good at it, not to the extent of Primus, but one day mayhaps. Every now and then there’s something not quite right, but that something is meant to be. Pahlemik keep you on your toes because you sure can’t stand still… but neither can you tap in time with the beat…

I’ve always been one for the pretties and when it comes to Kill Teen Angst, they’re definitely something pretty. Maybe not so much to look at but to listen to at least. They’re one of the rare bands whose music you can be excited by – it may not be the most original, but it is fun and yes, it’s pretty. The vocals, the music – it’s not all just straight down the line pop-rock, they blast into the heavies at times too, especially with their newest song. The not so complicated complicatedness, I’m now awake. Close my eyes and take me away, swell with the waves and end up somewhere beautiful. It’s a pity that when I open my eyes I’m back where I started.

The not so sexy Sex Panther. Ooh the music gets you going but only for a little while, what with the nice vocal lines and driving guitar but it stayed that way throughout their set. Is it because they’re an all female band, or perhaps that they’re called Sex Panther that a lot of the people there were seemingly excited by it? They may be a new-ish band and they just don’t seem comfortable moving around much on stage – although, it appears as though the Amplifier stage has shrunken in size over the last few years. If you’re not expressing that you’re excited or at least want to be there, it’s hard as a listener to become excited by or want to listen to the music you’re creating. Have fun on stage and soon enough, most people in the room will join you – and this is where Witch Hats come in.

Before Witch Hats even started playing I was giggling. I didn’t know what to expect but a comedy routine wasn’t part of it. It’s pretty amazing how bands with people who don’t have the best voice can become ‘popular’ – and by that I mean someone who really doesn’t sing that well at all. It’s more like talking really loudly with some tonality and resonation. Either way, it worked and somehow I ended down the front, tapping my feet and even moving a little bit with the music and laughing a lot more. Witch Hats in my opinion, don’t play music you can mosh to, but a couple of guys thought it good enough to and even the singer wanted to join them – why didn’t he? I can honestly understand why people will want to see this band play. Forget listening to a CD, go and see them. The fun can’t be seen or even heard (it’s rare that it is) on a recording and if music changes your mood; they’ll change your frown to a smile in no time.

Overall, it was a good night – not a bobby dazzler, but a good night none the less. I almost fell asleep on some guy’s back after the music was over while standing up, so I thought it time to leave. I believe I even woke up with a smile. But where does the surreal part of it all come in? Quite simply, I thought I was dreaming – but I was just wake walking, enjoying the music and oblivious to everything else but.