Regurgitator - Adelaide, 6th October 2012
Words: Jo Taylor
Regurgitator, those crazy Brisbanites, are back. This time for the 2012 Retrotech tour, playing their first two albums, Tu Plang and Unit, in full.
When support act Senyawa took stage, vocalist Rully Shabara with a microphone and Wukir Suryadi with an unrecognizable instrument, no one knew the chaos that was about to ensue. But within moments of the first notes from the home made instrument (called a Bambuwukir), the audience knew this wasn’t going to be an ordinary gig. Hailing from Indonesia, Senyawa unleashed their mind melting punk songs with Rullyʼs amazing vocal summersaults, which can only be likened to vocal styling reminiscent of Mike Pattonʼs Mr. Bungle recordings. With energy that was uncontainable and a sound that was unlike anything The Gov had been treated to before, the crowd was captivated. By the end, this unknown band had won over the room, helped by Wukir playing the Bambuwukir amongst the crowd and Rully ripping his shirt off. These guys are ones to look out for and their return to Australia will be greatly anticipated.
After such a stunning support act, there was slight apprehension. Could Regurgitator really follow an act like that? The Brisbane band, which formed in 1993, has recorded seven studio albums including the recent release SuperHappyFunTimesFriends. However, the sold out show in support of the RetroTech Tour, saw the three-piece play their first two albums; 1996’s Tu-Plang and 1997’s Unit, from beginning to end. It was bound to be epic. But they had chosen an amazing support band. Quickly all apprehensions were put aside when singer/guitarist Quan Yeoman, bassist/singer Ben Ely and Peter Kostic on drums took the stage and immediately launched into their hit I Sucked a Lot of Cock to Get Where I Am.
When support act Senyawa took stage, vocalist Rully Shabara with a microphone and Wukir Suryadi with an unrecognizable instrument, no one knew the chaos that was about to ensue. But within moments of the first notes from the home made instrument (called a Bambuwukir), the audience knew this wasn’t going to be an ordinary gig. Hailing from Indonesia, Senyawa unleashed their mind melting punk songs with Rullyʼs amazing vocal summersaults, which can only be likened to vocal styling reminiscent of Mike Pattonʼs Mr. Bungle recordings. With energy that was uncontainable and a sound that was unlike anything The Gov had been treated to before, the crowd was captivated. By the end, this unknown band had won over the room, helped by Wukir playing the Bambuwukir amongst the crowd and Rully ripping his shirt off. These guys are ones to look out for and their return to Australia will be greatly anticipated.
After such a stunning support act, there was slight apprehension. Could Regurgitator really follow an act like that? The Brisbane band, which formed in 1993, has recorded seven studio albums including the recent release SuperHappyFunTimesFriends. However, the sold out show in support of the RetroTech Tour, saw the three-piece play their first two albums; 1996’s Tu-Plang and 1997’s Unit, from beginning to end. It was bound to be epic. But they had chosen an amazing support band. Quickly all apprehensions were put aside when singer/guitarist Quan Yeoman, bassist/singer Ben Ely and Peter Kostic on drums took the stage and immediately launched into their hit I Sucked a Lot of Cock to Get Where I Am.
The atmosphere was electric and the moshing, dancing, singing every crude lyric and crowd surfing started immediately. Kong Foo Sing and G7 Dick Electro Boogie followed and the crowd, filled with mainly 30-somethings looking for a trip down memory lane, got what there wanted. What a trip it was! The cheeky Couldn’t Do It followed by Miffyʼs Simplicity and the clever Music is Sport saw the crowd singing along with reckless abandon.
Yeoman and Ely both jumped around the stage with endless energy and smiles and banter was constantly exchanged between the whole band. Their fun loving lyrics, combined with the band’s friendly demeanour, crunching guitars and funky beats, make their gigs a total experience. Not to mention their glamorous costumes, which started with sleeveless denim jackets with tight blue jeans and bandanas for their Tu-Plang set. F.S.O, Young Bodies Heal Quickly and Blubber Boy were other highlights from this set and despite the album being 17-years-old, the crowd remembered every word, from beginning to end.
After leaving the stage for a brief intermission, allowing the crowd to refuel and regain some energy, the ‘Gurge returned to stage wearing reflective silver lycra jumpsuits to celebrate the Unit album set. Beginning with album opener I Like Your Old Stuff Better Than Your New Stuff, the sold out crowd once again sang every line and it was smiles all around. And itʼs hard not to. Especially during their tune I Will Lick Your Arsehole, when there were three men (and one woman) jumping around in silver spandex while cartoon pictures of an arse were projected behind them. Ben Ely quipped “There are so many smiling faces, I’ve never seen so many people smiling at a gig before. You’ve all been drinking happy water!”. This set saw much the loved singles ! (The Song Formerly Known As), Black Bugs, The World of Sleaze and Polyester Girl played. Finishing the set was album closer Just Another Beautiful Story.
Yeoman and Ely both jumped around the stage with endless energy and smiles and banter was constantly exchanged between the whole band. Their fun loving lyrics, combined with the band’s friendly demeanour, crunching guitars and funky beats, make their gigs a total experience. Not to mention their glamorous costumes, which started with sleeveless denim jackets with tight blue jeans and bandanas for their Tu-Plang set. F.S.O, Young Bodies Heal Quickly and Blubber Boy were other highlights from this set and despite the album being 17-years-old, the crowd remembered every word, from beginning to end.
After leaving the stage for a brief intermission, allowing the crowd to refuel and regain some energy, the ‘Gurge returned to stage wearing reflective silver lycra jumpsuits to celebrate the Unit album set. Beginning with album opener I Like Your Old Stuff Better Than Your New Stuff, the sold out crowd once again sang every line and it was smiles all around. And itʼs hard not to. Especially during their tune I Will Lick Your Arsehole, when there were three men (and one woman) jumping around in silver spandex while cartoon pictures of an arse were projected behind them. Ben Ely quipped “There are so many smiling faces, I’ve never seen so many people smiling at a gig before. You’ve all been drinking happy water!”. This set saw much the loved singles ! (The Song Formerly Known As), Black Bugs, The World of Sleaze and Polyester Girl played. Finishing the set was album closer Just Another Beautiful Story.
Loud demands for an encore followed and while eagerly awaiting their return to stage, the epic 80ʼs hit Dangerzone from cult movie classic Top Gun was blasted over the speakers and kept the crowd’s excitement at epic heights.
Returning shirtless, in just jeans and long haired wigs, the band took to the stage for their final songs, closing the show with All Fake Everything from their latest album, SuperHappyFunTimesFriends. Nothing to Say and with Blood and Spunk from the album Love and Paranoia followed, finishing the night on a high.
Regurgitator showed exactly why so many fans have remained faithful devotees to their live shows over all these years. They don’t take themselves too seriously and they know how to make a show fun, without lacking depth and excellent musicianship. Regurgitator, kicking arse and taking names!
Returning shirtless, in just jeans and long haired wigs, the band took to the stage for their final songs, closing the show with All Fake Everything from their latest album, SuperHappyFunTimesFriends. Nothing to Say and with Blood and Spunk from the album Love and Paranoia followed, finishing the night on a high.
Regurgitator showed exactly why so many fans have remained faithful devotees to their live shows over all these years. They don’t take themselves too seriously and they know how to make a show fun, without lacking depth and excellent musicianship. Regurgitator, kicking arse and taking names!