What a night! It’s been a while, read two weeks, since I’ve been to a gig, but tonight’s show has well and truly sated me. Tonight’s show reinforced Dallas Crane’s reputation as an awesome live force and gave me a great deal of hope for the future of Canberra’s local live scene. For the third time this year I saw the Green Room at nearly full capacity for this show, and from go to woe, the crowd were treated to an awesome display of live music.

There was a last minute change to this evening’s line up, with The Cops had to withdraw at the due to illness. So local band The Variodiver’s stepped in to fill the slot. I am usually particularly reticent when it comes to Canberra’s local acts; I’ve been stung a few to many times, but these guys, they are the shit! They absolutely blew me away. Their song structure and playing was tight, they played a varied set, from laidback Tim Rogers-esque tracks, through to Motorhead styled rock. They just kicked arse! Did I mention that this was only their second ever live appearance, they were as good as bands who’ve played together for years. If there are any record company execs reading this, head to Canberra on Wednesday September 22, and sign these guys. I really want to hear a full-length album from them. Guys, if you’re reading this, get an EP out soon… Please.

After seeing that brilliant set from The Variodivers it was going to be hard for any of the other acts to impress me, but that they did. 67 Special were next up on the bill; after reviewing their debut EP I was really keen to see them live. There was congruence between 67 Special’s live sound and what was captured for their EP. Surprisingly they played Hey There Bomb quite early on in their set, about three songs through; I was expecting them to hold it over for later in the show. 67 Special have quite a good repertoire, playing a total of thirteen tracks, including all the tracks from Hey There Bomb. It was really great to see a keyboardist up on stage playing a central role. I’m pleased to report all the material was as strong as the five tracks from their EP and I’m looking forward to their debut album when its released sometime in the near future.

Dallas Crane are a band that need no introductions in Canberra. They’ve been playing gigs here for the past few years, but it’s been the release of their latest self titled album on the legendary Alberts label that’s really attracted a buzz. Tonight’s show was everything punters have come to expect from Dallas Crane; solid, balls to the wall rock. These guys really are amazing, and I’m glad to see their hard work is really starting to pay off, as punters sit up and take notice of their classic sound.

They kicked off the night with Ladybird, their debut single on the Alberts label. Like 67 Special, they didn’t wait long before pulling out their single of the moment, Dirty Hearts. Needless to say the crowd went nuts when the opening bars were played. Other highlights from their set included Already Gone, Come Clean, and Wannabe, which they played during their four-song encore.

It was great to see such a strong line up of Aussie rock this evening, and I’m particularly keen to see The Variodivers play again. They deserve to be picked up and flogged like Jet or The Vines. If they were in Melbourne, they’d be huge by now. Dallas Crane and 67 Special really do give me hope that we are again about to see a golden age of Australian rock.