GIG REVIEW: Glam Fest – Sydney 18th February 2024

On reviewing last year’s Glam Fest, I wrote “People saw some bands that they probably thought that they had no hope at all of ever seeing”. Well, the organisers certainly raised the bar this year! Bands like Slaughter & Tyketto, and for me certainly Jetboy, would have been at unbackable odds to play in Australia, so the faithful were definitely champing at the bit to witness their favourites in the flesh.

Melbourne’s Shotgun Mistress were up first, and due to the late opening of the doors, had started playing just as the first punters emerged squinting into the gloom of the main room. The boys are the first Australian signing to Golden Robots Metal Label Crusader Records, and to these ears give off an early LA Guns vibe, while the room was quite empty, they give the lucky few both barrels. The Singer scaling the amp stacks and generally leaping about, while the chunky riffage underpinned some catchy tunes. They gave plenty to warrant a second look next time they’re in town.

Ablaze were first on in the smaller room, their energy more than compensating for a sketchy sound early on. The bouncy grooves lead into a sea-shanty-style, drinking tune whereby a bottle of Sailor Jerry is polished off by, or sprayed over the band & front row. This seems to lift the energy levels even higher, the bass player in particular is bouncing so much that her feet barely touch the floor. The crowd tap into the energy and Ablaze finish their set with the crowd roaring along to the tunes, well & truly on their side.

Black Cardinals are next on the big stage, their muscular grooves & soulful vocals cranking things up a notch. Their swampy slide-driven blues/soul sound is perfect for the sweaty humidity that blankets the metro inside & out today. Having seen these guys once before, they impressed me even more this time. From openers Love on the Rise & Gravity through to Demons Call My Name, The Black Cardinals are definitely what the (Witch) Doctor ordered.

The unmistakable metallic alien voiceover of Crosson’s intro rang out through the metro prompting a rush of punters to the front of the stage. Their ‘Meatloaf covering Kiss’ shtick certainly has an enduring appeal. The dancing girls look to be dressed in cut-down Kiss outfits today, which suits the mood perfectly. Crosson never fails to provide an energy bump to proceedings, and today was no exception.

The Candy Harlots t-shirt worn by one of Shotgun Mistress was surely a good omen for Department of Gloom. Opening with Psycho, then into their ‘love ballad’ Kill Someone, and my personal pick ‘I Dare you’ Leeno & his merry men have the Metro crowd well & truly… intrigued if nothing else. D o’ G were a late scratching from last years Glam Fest, but the band more than make up for it this year.

The only thing I knew about Cruel Intentions was that it was the name of a fairly dodgy teen film from the 90s. However, the Swedish rockers soon woke me up with a shriek! The energy levels have now cranked up into the red. The sound is vintage Hollywood circa 1988, and they boast a fine pedigree with Singer Lizzy DeVine fronting LA-based Vains of Jenna, sounding like a cross between Pretty Boy Floyd’s Steve Summers & Ratt’s Stephen Pearcy. The band have moves straight from the Hit Parader playbook, and the songs have more hooks than a boatload of Taylor Swift on a sugar bender. I suspect thaht Cruel Intentions just became many people’s ‘Discovery of the day’.

Sisters Doll find themselves surprisingly high on the bill on the big stage, but they certainly don’t waste the opportunity in front of what is now quite a healthy crowd.

The Melbourne trio bring the Big Show attitude! The drummer geeing up the crowd while the singer & guitarist shake their booties up front. The harmonies are top-notch, and Sisters Doll definitely look at home on a big stage, Paul Stanley Raps from the singer & all right on cue, we get a cover of Kiss’ God Gave Rock & Roll (II), just to underline just where these boys are coming from.

I still have my vinyl copy of Jetboy’s Feel the Shake from 1988, and I was pumped to finally catch them live. While the line-up is basically Mickey Finn & friends, with (Billy Rowe currently smartening up Buck Cherry, and Fernie Rod retired), the band pack a substantially bigger wallop than the records would indicate. From opener No Limit the band are pinging off each other on the small stage. Guitarist Keith Robert War particularly bringing the rock star moves on stage right

The set list is a dream, We get Bullfrog Pong, Moonlight (ee-yow), Born to Fly, Trouble Comes, fire in My Heart, the old classic Don’t Touch My Hair, Heavy Chevy and to Close, Feel the Shake?!… the Metro most certainly did

Of all the bands here tonight, I’m betting Tyketto probably had the most serious of cult followings, so the anticipation was at a fever pitch. The sound is pure classic AOR, and Danny Vaughn’s vocals are as clean as strong as ever. Tyketto probably gets the best reaction so far, with the crowd singing along with gusto. The Bass player prowls centre stage, while the keyboardist commands stage right, leaving Danny to stand atop the monitors on stage left.

Regardless of what they played, the set was never going to be long enough for the die-hards to sing along at the top of their voices, but Tyketto left a lot of people very happy (and very hoarse) tonight

Janet Gardner & Band were a Revelation when they played with Enuff Z’Nuff at the Crowbar back in 2020 (That long ago?!?!), so they were greeted like old friends when they took the stage… The smaller room is as full as it’s been all day!

However, from opener Flame Thrower into Rev it up, there are sound issues, so we throw to the stick twirling, head-banging, ever grinning, ever thrashing, one man show Richie Rivera for a drum solo while they sort out the guitar sound (and Janet’s earpiece).

Once sorted, Justin James carries the guitar load on his own and we get the new tune in 1985, then we go BACK to 1988 with Cryin’ where Janet does her traditional ‘Meet the people’ walk through the crowd. Bass Player Anthony G sings Sammy Hagar’s Only one way to rock, before “Australia’s Premier Rock Chick” Cassidy Paris dust on Edge of a Broken Heart (never being able to wipe the grin from her face throughout).

Janet & Band rose above the sound issues & won Sydney’s adoration even more than the first time. Come back soon!

Introduced by what sounded like the Miami Vice theme, H.E.A.T’s show is a visual spectacular. From the constant motion of the whirling dervish singer, to the epilepsy-inducing video display to the full-throated sing-along choruses in constant supply, the set is like a rollercoaster with no brakes. Belters like Demon Eyes, Rock Your Body & Hollywood Though Beg Beg Beg & Back to the Rhythm finally crashed to a close with A Shot at Redemption, H.E.A.T left the Metro giddy & gasping for air.

Lynch Mob are currently on their ‘Final Ride’ Farewell tour, so its fantastic that Australia is included & get a chance to witness one of the true guitar pioneers. It’s a rousing welcome that greets him when Lynch ambles on stage (wearing some seriously funky Board shorts) looking WAY fitter than most of the crowd, many of whom are half his age. We start off with Tooth & Nail, the singer providing a fresh take, and doing a great job, then River of Love from Wicked Sensation is s steamy romp (oo-er). New song No Good is a thumping Banger, Former Bulletboys drummer Jimmy D’Anda is a whir of arms at the back.

The Hunter & into the Fire follow. The setlist indicates that Mr Scary was to follow, but George, who seemed to be wrestling with his sound most of the set, passed it up, so we get Wicked Sensation to finish

It would be a shame if the last that Sydney get to see of George Lynch, he doesn’t get to really open up, but it was still a fantastic gift to witness one of the greats even if not at full blast.

The Slaughter debut album was a massive one for me back in 1990 and I never ever thought I’d have the opportunity to see them live, so 30 odd years later, here we are.

The Highway to hell gives way to the Air Raid Siren into Mad about you…Singer Mark Slaughter getting WAY up there in the vocal range. Dogs for blocks around are paying attention. The early part of the set is ALL hits from the debut, Burning Bridges with its chugging chorus, the bass player Dana Strum is all over the stage. We then get An odd moment where Mark Slaughter shows off his (renowned) guitar chops, while the lead guitarist shuffles off sidestage, before they go sugary Spend My Life before things pick up with a thunderous take on Zep’s Immigrant song. Crowd favourite Eye to Eye is next. The vocal caterwauling is becoming a bit overdone if I’m honest. After the drum solo, there are a few tunes from the second album ‘The Wild Life’ which lower the range a bit. Before we get the money shots ‘Fly to the Angels’ and Up all night to close.

I feel like I would have gotten a lot more out of it if Id managed to see Slaughter back in the day, but it was great to get them at all.

It was another great show put on by the Glam Fest Organizers, and hopefully, the rumours that it won’t be on again are wide of the mark. The faithful would love to see another cohort of classic bands that they never thought they’d would witness turn up on these shores next year

Photos by Adam Sivewright | Review by Biggs

Slaughter