Spring Loaded - Red Hill Auditorium, 14th May 2022
Words: Todd Lockley
After almost a year in delays, the Spring Loaded festival finally bounced into Perth. Unavoidable covid postponements meant the originally scheduled spring October date was moved to May and Spring Loaded very quickly turning into Winter Unloaded, as just after doors opened, a downpour was unleashed from the skies and a full-blown flood erupted in front of the stage. But despite the weather, the show offered a healthy selection of what would have been $25 gigs 25 years ago. It was a must-see nostalgia trip for most in dripping attendance
As We Built This City blasted out of the PA speakers, Frenzal Rhomb appeared through the drizzle and launched into Russel Crowe's Band. In full blooded Frenzal form, they swooped through Bird Attack, fondled Unkle Ken and made quite certain that we all Never Had So Much Fun and a Punch in the Face by sets end.
Next up, to little fanfare (MC for the day, “Dr” Lindsay McDougal had disappeared), were home grown super heroes Jebediah. They launched into Fall Down before doing the introductory honours themselves. Jerks Of Attention and Animal had the large crowd moving - possibly for warmth, but more likely from sheer enjoyment. As legendary bassist Vanessa Thornton bounced around stage, one thing appeared clear; everyone got a lot older over past 30 years. Except her! Ness still looks and plays the same as she did all those years ago at Rosemount Hotel. Teflon had everyone slipping along - literally! The little Sweet Child Of Mine interlude was a lovely touch. However, it was of course the fun of Leaving Home that was the highlight of their set.
The bands on this lineup seemed to have aged like fine wine. This reviewer has seen the mighty Regurgitator many times and tonight was without doubt the most memorable, tight and enjoyable set witnessed to date. I Sucked a Lot Of Cock to Get Where I Am sounded fresh as the day it was recorded. After some setlist confusion and friendly banter, they moved onto Polyester Girl and I Wanna Be A Nudist. Kung Foo Sing took us all the way back to 1995 and Blubber Boy was magical, but of course it was set ender Song Formally Known As that had everybody reaching for the miserable wet skies, feeling the electric vibes. Well done to The Gurge!
As We Built This City blasted out of the PA speakers, Frenzal Rhomb appeared through the drizzle and launched into Russel Crowe's Band. In full blooded Frenzal form, they swooped through Bird Attack, fondled Unkle Ken and made quite certain that we all Never Had So Much Fun and a Punch in the Face by sets end.
Next up, to little fanfare (MC for the day, “Dr” Lindsay McDougal had disappeared), were home grown super heroes Jebediah. They launched into Fall Down before doing the introductory honours themselves. Jerks Of Attention and Animal had the large crowd moving - possibly for warmth, but more likely from sheer enjoyment. As legendary bassist Vanessa Thornton bounced around stage, one thing appeared clear; everyone got a lot older over past 30 years. Except her! Ness still looks and plays the same as she did all those years ago at Rosemount Hotel. Teflon had everyone slipping along - literally! The little Sweet Child Of Mine interlude was a lovely touch. However, it was of course the fun of Leaving Home that was the highlight of their set.
The bands on this lineup seemed to have aged like fine wine. This reviewer has seen the mighty Regurgitator many times and tonight was without doubt the most memorable, tight and enjoyable set witnessed to date. I Sucked a Lot Of Cock to Get Where I Am sounded fresh as the day it was recorded. After some setlist confusion and friendly banter, they moved onto Polyester Girl and I Wanna Be A Nudist. Kung Foo Sing took us all the way back to 1995 and Blubber Boy was magical, but of course it was set ender Song Formally Known As that had everybody reaching for the miserable wet skies, feeling the electric vibes. Well done to The Gurge!
After a respectably gushing introduction from MC the Dr, You Am I swaggered onto stage next. Rumble lit the fuse of what was to be the explosion of the most classic rock set of the evening. Tim Rogers looked absolutely dashing in his red jumpsuit number. Good Morning was great, Sound As Ever was just that but Berlin Chair was best!
Pretty soon, the stage was set for the heavy hitting headliners, the Australian 90's Gunners, Grinspoon! And boy, oh boy were they on song. DCx3 was the perfect start to this crushing soundwave. Phil Jamieson and co never sounding better as the front man launched himself off any speaker or drum stacks he could find.
Now once upon a time, Grinspoon were a rather sloppy live act, think back to the Pushing Buttons tour in Perth where Jamieson laid on the stage floor singing half the set through a mega phone. Fast forward to 2022 and with axeman Pat Davern leading the charge, these guys are, let's say water tight! Even through the ballads Minute By Minute and raucous No Reason they sounded fucking splendid!
For such a miserable day weather-wise and a location that is a long way from nowhere compared to the places we saw these band in yesteryear, all bands produced magic on this water-soaked evening. With a flurry of fireworks and Champion sounds Grinners left us grinning with a last lick of More Than You Are. What a wonderful way to finish the night.
Pretty soon, the stage was set for the heavy hitting headliners, the Australian 90's Gunners, Grinspoon! And boy, oh boy were they on song. DCx3 was the perfect start to this crushing soundwave. Phil Jamieson and co never sounding better as the front man launched himself off any speaker or drum stacks he could find.
Now once upon a time, Grinspoon were a rather sloppy live act, think back to the Pushing Buttons tour in Perth where Jamieson laid on the stage floor singing half the set through a mega phone. Fast forward to 2022 and with axeman Pat Davern leading the charge, these guys are, let's say water tight! Even through the ballads Minute By Minute and raucous No Reason they sounded fucking splendid!
For such a miserable day weather-wise and a location that is a long way from nowhere compared to the places we saw these band in yesteryear, all bands produced magic on this water-soaked evening. With a flurry of fireworks and Champion sounds Grinners left us grinning with a last lick of More Than You Are. What a wonderful way to finish the night.