Taking it easy, I head to Woodland tonight for a night of lo-fi punk rock. A night that boasts a line up that wouldn’t seem out of place at the now defunct CBGB’s or any dingy hip underground club in New York. With locals Slug Guts making waves and having just released a new album and Eat Skull making their first trip down to Australia it’s a promised night of fun.
I arrive into Woodland just as the lowly publicised (for this gig) Tasmanians, Drunk Elk are warming up the crowd. The two piece (sorry, three piece; thanks Dave), with their distinct lack of drums, play a well rounded set of alternative-rock tunes reminiscent of greats of the genre. A great start to the night and a band that show real potential in their field.
With a quick cigarette break on the cards for what seems like most of the venue, a blinking light in the back of everyone’s brains is in focus in order not to miss locals Slug Guts. A five piece band featuring a saxophone player, all eyes are on them as they deliver the highlight set of the night. At times parts of their live show are reminiscent of the buildup progression sounds of Tool, if Tool had Joey Ramone for a vocalist and ‘Bad Moon Rising’ Sonic Youth as their influence. The venue fills up, including a mosh pit that would make bigger venues envoius. Great performers and a great show to boot, that not only lives up to the style of the music but image of the band and their direction.
Okay, I thought I was here for tonight’s headliners - their 2009 album, ‘Wild and Inside’ was brilliant, and the announcement of their first Australian tour was bliss for fans of underground/lo-fi music. But Eat Skull in my opinion were heartbreakingly disappointing. They started out strong with the groups’ percussionist wowing the audience with the always interesting instrument, the therimin. But come the third song I was starting to think to myself, "is this the same band?". Technically, they were solid, tight, great musicians; but if you listen to their records and then attend a show like tonight your world is turned upside down.
Read the rest of my disappointment at
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