Punk fans were treated to a huge couple of gigs last weekend as Oz punk legends The Meanies swanned into town, bringing with them a suitcase full of other punk favourites along with plenty of attitude and swagger.
Friday night saw them support Frenzal Rhomb at Drifters Wharf as part of Frenzal’s national tour in support of their new album, The Cup of Pestilence presented by Double J. Sydney band Canine who were closer to death metal than punk opened proceedings with some seriously guttural screams that emanated from the depths and got the crowd buzzing and ears attuned for a loud and energetic night of punk.
Link and the boys were on fire but relaxed at the same time, as only seasoned performers can be. Their set was filled from start to finish with everything we’ve come to expect from these guys. Energy, attitude, classics mixed with new tracks, and of course the dance moves that Link has perfected over the years. This gig was but the warm up for Crowbar, but more on that later.
Frenzal Rhomb took to the stage to the delight of the by now packed crowd. The Cup of Pestilence is the band’s tenth album to date and they show no signs of slowing down or tempering their performance or lyrics to reflect their middle years….and neither do their audience. It wasn’t long after Jay’s dreadlocks and The Doctor’s sailor’s outfit started running around the stage that the 40 somethings in the crowd started a circle pit in celebration. Who could blame them? How else to match the energy and enthusiasm of Frenzal really?
Following them all back down the freeway – well except for the boys from Frenzal who headed for sunshine at Springloaded instead, Saturday night was the Crowbar gig in Sydney. This time The Meanies headlined, with The Hot Ness, LoJetz and Nunchukka Superfly sending brilliant punk tunes straight into our excited ears. Of course the line up was excellent – all perfectly curated by none other than The Hard Ons and Nunchukka’s Peter ‘Blackie’ Black.
Three piece The Hot Ness opened the night displaying plenty of attitude with female bass, guitar and vocals front and centre and featuring John Fenton of Crow holding it all together on drums. Next up were LoJetz who have been seriously busy gigging and releasing their self titled album this year. Loved the energy of this band who were equally as comfortable on the big stage as they were when I saw them at the Link and Pin.
Nunchukka Superfly were killer as per usual, although their onstage sound was seriously testing their patience. Frustrations became clear when Blackie politely told one photographer to please stop shooting but the crowd were unanimous in wondering what the issue may have been because to the room, everything sounded perfect out front. Consummate professionals, drummer John Banicevic had as recently as the week prior lost his Dad but still fronted up, played seriously well and was his beautiful friendly self throughout the night.
I wasn’t sure if The Meanies could back it up for a second night running – I mean, I knew they’d be great obviously, but I didn’t expect them to be even better than the night before. Was it the fact they were headliners tonight – their lack of ego tells me no, perhaps they were well and truly warmed up after the first show because Saturday night’s punters were in for an incredible set. Not launching anything, no major announcements – they just decided to bring NSW some great punk just for the sake of it and they lived up to their reputation. Perhaps only 10% weird, but easily 100% fantastic. I can’t do them justice enough here but the words of Ray Ahn (The Hard Ons and Nunchukka) were a brilliant description on his socials – such as “I have deduced that their unique appeal to me comes from tension. The Meanies know the idea of tension in song and performance it seems instinctively.” and “Ringo and Wally fit together really perfectly. It sounds air-tight. Wally throws in taste-maker runs here and there but any extra curricular show-off shit like slides, string bends, improvised do-dahs, he leaves that for idiots. The rhythm section is a coiled spring. The tension in a Meanies song gets released through Link’s unbelievably primal scream.”. Couple all of this with Jordan’s command of lead guitar and the entire outfit is a winner.
Frenzal Rhomb continue their Cup of Pestilence tour over June/July covering all states.
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