The band, who are currently on their sold out national tour alongside The Smith Street Band, and Luca Brasi, were also side-lined with South Australian band, Paper Arms. These guys absolutely killed it, showing just how strong SA music continues to be. The Smith Street Band also proved to be a perfect match for the line-up, getting the all-ages crowd up and pumped with absolute energy. 'Ducks Fly Together' and 'Young Drunk', got everybody ready for the Triple J Hottest 100 vote pullers and main act of the night.
The boys from Violent Soho absolutely pummeled the raving crowd, with opening song 'Dope Calypso'. The grunge inspired track was a perfect start to what was an intense set list of absolute bangers of songs. Tracks like 'Saramona Said' and 'In The Aisle' settled the crowd with classic punk, which just added to the already electric mix of 'Fur Eyes' and 'Low Brow'.
“Feel free to throw on stage anything illegal you may have in your possession, or leave it at our merch desk,” the band cheekily requested between songs as well as a constant appraisal of Adelaide’s cannabis culture before continuing their assault with 'Neighbour Neighbour'. This was before the biggest song on Violent Soho’s Discography blasted out of the speakers.
'Covered In Chrome', which featured in Triple J's top 20 of last years Hottest 100, was brilliant as it paraded from an acoustic start to an absolute killer of a chorus. The “hell fuck yeah” cry screamed out and the crowd moshed hard, with people flying everywhere, including an appearance in the sky from yours truly.
And with that, the set was over, until a cry from the crowd calling for “one more song”. The band, who had left the stage, re-appeared and the bass line of 'Muscle Junkie' played out. The distinct guitar riff and everything else caused vibrations of epic proportions.
It was a perfect end to the night, one which had crazy local music, a band of international acclaim and band who played a consistent variety of heavy Australian rock. The crowd was electric, the venue was amazing and the music was so perfectly crazy. Is grunge back?
Review by Gerry Bain.
Photos by Chloe Miller.