Shihad - Rosemount Hotel, 16th November 2018
Words: Todd Lockley
Put your clock back for November, it was to be a home coming of sorts for the legendary Bro's from the la la land of the long white cloud. A celebration of sorts was already happening at the Rosemount, as it was Tusk Day, so most people were intoxicated and ready to rock before Shihad even started.
Taking on the early slot to a jam packed front room (or is it a new tiny, tiny back room?) was the magnificent Legs Electric ladies! And man do they wail! Sold Ya Soul and Wanna Riot set frenetic tone for the evening with kick arse skins woman Kylie Soanes pounding away like a possessed tribal Viking leading it's army into battle.
Songs from recent EP Two Sides all got an airing with Kingdom finishing off an epic set that caught fire from start and ended in an inferno, especially when the lady swinging the axe Elana Haynes busted into a little Deep Purples Black Night to spice things up! Go check these excellent Perthlings out. This reviewer hasn't seen four local ladies rock the stage like this since the since the legendary Exteria (not fucking Lash) left the scene many moons ago.
In the immortal words of Grinspoon, 'hard act to follow' but as The Ecstasy Of Gold crept to every corner of the room, in a flash Jon Toogood and the mighty Shihad graced the tiny, tiny stage and raced through 18 tracks that seemed to go at a blink and you'll miss the General Electric pace! Think You're So Free and FVEY were the one, two punch to get the sweaty scrum moving out front.
Before too long we were taken back to a time when Shihad became Pacifier (and Frenzal Rhomb became Shihad) as the bubbling Comfort Me slowly rocked all from side to side, then all shit got lost throughout My Mind's Sedate. The run of hits kept coming through The General Electric which was indeed a true celebration of all that is Shihad, with Toogood seeming to genuinely feel "good just to be alive, still holding everything inside?!".
Arguably the finest moment of the night was equal greatest NZ song ever (with Dave Dobyn of course) Home Again enjoying a well-deserved crowd sing along followed up by Deb's Night Out and La La Land. A rollicking Factory finished things off appropriately before the gents returned for one final fling with Cheap As. Rather fitting really, considering the fun had at the cost was totally cheap as bro!
Taking on the early slot to a jam packed front room (or is it a new tiny, tiny back room?) was the magnificent Legs Electric ladies! And man do they wail! Sold Ya Soul and Wanna Riot set frenetic tone for the evening with kick arse skins woman Kylie Soanes pounding away like a possessed tribal Viking leading it's army into battle.
Songs from recent EP Two Sides all got an airing with Kingdom finishing off an epic set that caught fire from start and ended in an inferno, especially when the lady swinging the axe Elana Haynes busted into a little Deep Purples Black Night to spice things up! Go check these excellent Perthlings out. This reviewer hasn't seen four local ladies rock the stage like this since the since the legendary Exteria (not fucking Lash) left the scene many moons ago.
In the immortal words of Grinspoon, 'hard act to follow' but as The Ecstasy Of Gold crept to every corner of the room, in a flash Jon Toogood and the mighty Shihad graced the tiny, tiny stage and raced through 18 tracks that seemed to go at a blink and you'll miss the General Electric pace! Think You're So Free and FVEY were the one, two punch to get the sweaty scrum moving out front.
Before too long we were taken back to a time when Shihad became Pacifier (and Frenzal Rhomb became Shihad) as the bubbling Comfort Me slowly rocked all from side to side, then all shit got lost throughout My Mind's Sedate. The run of hits kept coming through The General Electric which was indeed a true celebration of all that is Shihad, with Toogood seeming to genuinely feel "good just to be alive, still holding everything inside?!".
Arguably the finest moment of the night was equal greatest NZ song ever (with Dave Dobyn of course) Home Again enjoying a well-deserved crowd sing along followed up by Deb's Night Out and La La Land. A rollicking Factory finished things off appropriately before the gents returned for one final fling with Cheap As. Rather fitting really, considering the fun had at the cost was totally cheap as bro!