Slam a reunion or anniversary tour all you want, the men and women that filled the Gov on Saturday night couldn’t care less. Dressed to the nines in Descendents and Dead Kennedy’s gear, they just wanted to see some great punk music from Australia’s own Bodyjar. Here in their 20th year of being a band, there was still no shortage of fans. It wasn’t a sold out show by any means but the Gov was far from empty. But whilst waiting for their 90’s heroes, the crowd was treated to some fine tunes from a variety of punk bands.
First on the bill was Melbourne’s Clowns, who played their classic hardcore punk inspired set like it was 1983 and they were Rockin’ Against Reagan. Their sound had some clear roots and similarities in legendary bands like Black Flag and Fugazi, but their performance was more than worthy of these comparisons. Despite being the greenest band on the bill, Clowns were clearly the workhorses of the evening. They played like the band from down the street where you grew up, trying ever so desperately to make it. Their passion was obvious and infectious.
Bringing the energy down was Blueline Medic, bringing a more sedated and mature sound to contrast an explosive Clowns set. Blueline Medic played with conviction and confidence, as you’d expect from a band with 15 years experience. With a sound that could only be described as “pub punk”, Blueline Medic were a perfect pallet cleanser and a chance to catch your breath, grab a beer and relax just a little, letting their Something For Kate-sque sound speak for itself.
First on the bill was Melbourne’s Clowns, who played their classic hardcore punk inspired set like it was 1983 and they were Rockin’ Against Reagan. Their sound had some clear roots and similarities in legendary bands like Black Flag and Fugazi, but their performance was more than worthy of these comparisons. Despite being the greenest band on the bill, Clowns were clearly the workhorses of the evening. They played like the band from down the street where you grew up, trying ever so desperately to make it. Their passion was obvious and infectious.
Bringing the energy down was Blueline Medic, bringing a more sedated and mature sound to contrast an explosive Clowns set. Blueline Medic played with conviction and confidence, as you’d expect from a band with 15 years experience. With a sound that could only be described as “pub punk”, Blueline Medic were a perfect pallet cleanser and a chance to catch your breath, grab a beer and relax just a little, letting their Something For Kate-sque sound speak for itself.
Going international now, Bodyjar brought San Francisco natives Samiam for some extra flavour. There really isn’t much to write about Samiam, they played a classic 90’s punk set with a youthful spirit that is rare for a band with over 25 years under their belt. They brought their great songs with them and their wealth of live experience to provide a perfect precursor for Bodyjar.
When Bodyjar hit the stage, no matter how bad your night was up until that point, it instantly improved tenfold. They ripped through their classic album Rimshot! with a ferocious energy that hadn’t faltered over the years. Their signature vocal harmonies were on point through out the evening that shone particularly through their fan favourite and delightful cover of Simon & Garfunkel’s “Hazy Shade of Winter” that perfectly interrupted their start to finish run of Rimshot! They wrapped up their evening with what they liked to call the “request fest”. They mainly stuck to their hits like “One in a Million” and set highlight, closer “Not The Same” that ended with a stage invasion of the preceding bands and a big sing-along of that infectious chorus. It was the perfect summary of what Bodyjar were there to do; they gave the fans what they wanted to hear and loved every minute of it
It was clear to everyone in the room, including the band themselves, that Bodyjar had their moment in the sun a while back, but if soaking up the last remaining sunrays is Bodyjar playing because they love to play, they have fans that want to hear it and it’s that much fun, who can really complain?
Review by Noah Ward
Photos by Chloe Miller. See full gallery here
When Bodyjar hit the stage, no matter how bad your night was up until that point, it instantly improved tenfold. They ripped through their classic album Rimshot! with a ferocious energy that hadn’t faltered over the years. Their signature vocal harmonies were on point through out the evening that shone particularly through their fan favourite and delightful cover of Simon & Garfunkel’s “Hazy Shade of Winter” that perfectly interrupted their start to finish run of Rimshot! They wrapped up their evening with what they liked to call the “request fest”. They mainly stuck to their hits like “One in a Million” and set highlight, closer “Not The Same” that ended with a stage invasion of the preceding bands and a big sing-along of that infectious chorus. It was the perfect summary of what Bodyjar were there to do; they gave the fans what they wanted to hear and loved every minute of it
It was clear to everyone in the room, including the band themselves, that Bodyjar had their moment in the sun a while back, but if soaking up the last remaining sunrays is Bodyjar playing because they love to play, they have fans that want to hear it and it’s that much fun, who can really complain?
Review by Noah Ward
Photos by Chloe Miller. See full gallery here
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