Various Artists - FuckThis, I'm Going To TheAnnandale

Wed 17th Aug, 2005 in Music Reviews

I must say that in my 33 years on this planet I’ve seen some unbelievable live gigs and seen and heard some bloody good live compilations as well. Covering the last two odd years of various live gigs at one of Sydney’s premier live venues, let me tell you all, this DVD entitled Fuck This, I’m Going To The Annandale will go down in Australian rock ‘n’ roll history.

The crew from Livecast have captured something special here, it really is something else. It kicks off with a quick introduction from  Matt and Dan Rule, the publicans and owners of the Annandale.
After that, its just an explosion of the most bullshit live rock ‘n’ roll music you heard in ages.Word of advice, stick some clear packing tape over your TV so you don’t have to get the vacuum out after the screen blows out all over your lounge room carpet, such is the energy generated from this DVD. 

Good to see Magic Dirt up first to warm you up. Next thing you know, Gyroscope jump straight in yer face with a rousing rendition of Doctor, Doctor. Two songs into it and I can’t believe what I’m seeing!

The Mess Hall, Dallas Crane and The City Lights all put in solid perfomances and you just can’t help but be pissed off that you weren’t there! Electric Six put in a awesome effort with Gay Bar.
But one of the highlights from the friday night setlist (although hard to pick) would have to be The Stands with The Way She Does. “Who?” I hear some of you saying. Thats exactly what Pete Dowson, Director and editor at Livecast, said when he turned up at the ‘Dale on a quiet monday night. Ended up one of the best nights of music he’d seen as well as caught it all on film. What a bonus for all us punters, eh?

The saturday night set list is jam packed with classics as well. The Butterfly Effect, Shihad, Dan Brodie, Cog and The Icarus Line just to name some of the serious talent that you know will simply blow your head off. Tourettes are very hard not to take notice of and Full Scale show plenty of ‘tude with Manifesto.

Brant Bjork and the Bros (ex-Kyuss) will have you reaching for a joint with their 20 minute stoner rock epic Hydraulicks. 
And just when you get comfortably numb, The Dillinger Escape Plan will blast you out of your stupor and you’ll be left wondering what the hell just happened! 

On a more sombre note, this compilation is dedicated to Cate Dahl from local band Tongues. This band had a bright future in front if them. Their first gig was at the Annandale and they got signed there as well. Tragically though, Cate took her own life before the band could finish a debut album. So Pete, feeling a deep sense of loss for the music world decided that with he had a chance to give us all a lasting tribute to the lost talent of Cate Dahl and Tongues.

The rest of the DVD contains a few other interesting bits, including a candid chat again with Matt, Dan and Matt Lovell (think ‘Fuck this I’m drinking Lovells!’). As you might guess the conversation centres around beer but also a show of appreciation from Matt and Dan for all the support over the years that people have given them to make the Annandale what it is today. 
 
All in all, Fuck This, I’m Going To The Annandale is one if the best buys you could make with your hard earned. You’ll be treated to some of the best camera work I’ve seen, its honest, raw and at the same time it shines bright with polished professionalism. It also shows why the Annandale Hotel is one of the best live music venues in Australia.

So its all up to you now punters, reward the efforts of the crew and just say “Fuck this, I’m gonna go buy myself a copy of ‘Fuck This I’m Going To The Annandale!’” ’cause you deserve it.