Frenzal Rhomb - Perth, 16-18th May 2013
Words: Todd Lockley
Arguably Australia's greatest ever punk rock export, Frenzal Rhomb were back to cause destruction and chaos up and down the West Coast. This reviewer managed to make his way to three Frenzal shows in three nights; Mandurah, Scarborough and the Rosemount Hotel in North Perth. Here's how the experience went.
Opening the shows were local punk up and comers Tikdoff, who smashed through tight as fuck sets that had everyone getting sweaty nice and early. They opened with No Time and set a break neck pace with Dead Grass and huge new track Turf Crawl. Faster than a virgin in a hot tub, it was all over nice and quick with the final ripper Cross My Mind. Fantastic onstage and in the fashion stakes - check these guys out.
Leeches also ignited the early birds with songs that kicked back to the influences from way back when, like Bad Religion and Pennywise. Tight, fast, melodic and loud.
Bursting out at each and every show with a little crowd banter and a little bit of Dangerzone from Top Gun, Frenzal Rhomb looked primed. Big dread head Jay Whalley joked about seizures and his recent pig worm surgery and the Doctor, Lindsay McDougall, pulled out all the rockstar moves.
When the real proceedings started, and in the case of the Indi Bar, when the glasses stopped being thrown at the stage, When My Baby Smiles At Me I Go To Rehab and Mummy Doesn't Know That You're A Nazi were the signals for the moshers and crowd surfing alumni to commence the craziness.
Opening the shows were local punk up and comers Tikdoff, who smashed through tight as fuck sets that had everyone getting sweaty nice and early. They opened with No Time and set a break neck pace with Dead Grass and huge new track Turf Crawl. Faster than a virgin in a hot tub, it was all over nice and quick with the final ripper Cross My Mind. Fantastic onstage and in the fashion stakes - check these guys out.
Leeches also ignited the early birds with songs that kicked back to the influences from way back when, like Bad Religion and Pennywise. Tight, fast, melodic and loud.
Bursting out at each and every show with a little crowd banter and a little bit of Dangerzone from Top Gun, Frenzal Rhomb looked primed. Big dread head Jay Whalley joked about seizures and his recent pig worm surgery and the Doctor, Lindsay McDougall, pulled out all the rockstar moves.
When the real proceedings started, and in the case of the Indi Bar, when the glasses stopped being thrown at the stage, When My Baby Smiles At Me I Go To Rehab and Mummy Doesn't Know That You're A Nazi were the signals for the moshers and crowd surfing alumni to commence the craziness.
Early tracks Parasite, 4 Litres and Chemotherapy from 1994’s debut EP Dick Sandwich were all received with same passion and momentum as when we first heard them. Every now and then bass player Tom Crease would step up to the mic and take over vocal duties for songs Whalley had forgotten the lyrics to. At one stage Jay joined in for the chorus of Mr Charisma at the wrong time and the song broke down. In true Frenzal style, they just skipped the rest.
Radio-friendly favourites Mum Changed The Locks, Never Had So Much Fun and Not My Friend were always gonna get a play, but the Indi Bar crowd were the only ones lucky enough to get There's Your Dad, whilst the celebration that is Lets Drink A Beer was one of many anthems from A Man's Not a Camel bestowed on the crowd. Interestingly, not a single song from Shut Your Mouth made it to the setlists. During the week, when asked to sign a copy of Shut Your Mouth, the Doctor scribbled out the cover and in large text wrote "Shit Album" instead. Enough said.
The most fun was had during the quicker anthems like Bird Attack, all time classic Punch In The Face and raucous romper 5000 Cigarettes. But there were little moments scattered amongst each performance that stood alone; Lindsay leading an encore intro of Weezer's El Scorcho in Mandurah, the surprise inclusion of Beaded Curtains, Jay taking over from Gordy for NMF, the unfortunate sound issues at the Rosemount and the after parties at each show. Rock n roll.
One thing that stayed the same through and through was the encore. The two-punch combo of You Cant Move Into My House and Genius will have had everyone who attended any of the shows baiting for more. Though they only made their way through an hour on stage a night, it was enough to please any true fan. These guys are the best at what they do, and always will be.
Frenzal Rhomb brought the punk back to the west coast and we all can’t wait til next time. We've never had so much fun!
Radio-friendly favourites Mum Changed The Locks, Never Had So Much Fun and Not My Friend were always gonna get a play, but the Indi Bar crowd were the only ones lucky enough to get There's Your Dad, whilst the celebration that is Lets Drink A Beer was one of many anthems from A Man's Not a Camel bestowed on the crowd. Interestingly, not a single song from Shut Your Mouth made it to the setlists. During the week, when asked to sign a copy of Shut Your Mouth, the Doctor scribbled out the cover and in large text wrote "Shit Album" instead. Enough said.
The most fun was had during the quicker anthems like Bird Attack, all time classic Punch In The Face and raucous romper 5000 Cigarettes. But there were little moments scattered amongst each performance that stood alone; Lindsay leading an encore intro of Weezer's El Scorcho in Mandurah, the surprise inclusion of Beaded Curtains, Jay taking over from Gordy for NMF, the unfortunate sound issues at the Rosemount and the after parties at each show. Rock n roll.
One thing that stayed the same through and through was the encore. The two-punch combo of You Cant Move Into My House and Genius will have had everyone who attended any of the shows baiting for more. Though they only made their way through an hour on stage a night, it was enough to please any true fan. These guys are the best at what they do, and always will be.
Frenzal Rhomb brought the punk back to the west coast and we all can’t wait til next time. We've never had so much fun!