After a few reschedules & bands having to drop out or cancel due to that state of the fluctuating world – Here we are!! I do have to say I was personally a little sad when Sevendust cancelled as Lajon is up there in my favourite vocalists of all time, but I was happy to join the team & enjoy the evening anyway. And a shout out to New Zealand’s Devilskin who were unable to make it as well – if you haven’t heard Jennie Skulanders vocals do yourself a favour!
Kicking off the party vibe were local scallywags Lagerstein. After their recent “Rock This Cruise” tour playing on party boats in Melbourne, Sydney & Brisbane, they proceeded to hit us with their booze laden shantys such as Raise Your Steins, Drink the Rum & Dig, Bury Drink. Mother Junkst broke a violin string with his rum laden strength but came back in record time changing it within a song. Who breaks a violin string? Finishing the set with their cover of Men At Works Down Under they certainly hit the comedy party band nail on the head. You can catch the lads regularly in Brisbane & check them out here – https://lagerstein.com
Sydney 4-piece Bare Bones blasted onto the stage next & a nice heavy vibe kicked in. Well they were only a 3 piece tonight as their bass player was ill I believe but until it was mentioned I truly didn’t realise. Such a full sound & for a band that’s had its birth in 2017 they are full & professional in their sound & musicianship. Some favourites in their set for me was Ivory Dusk which sounds like a stampede & their new single out this year on Resist Records – House of Static. Check out Bare Bones. https://www.facebook.com/barebonesofficial
Three’s a charm & out flew Airbourne. Total energy from the first moment they appeared & it didn’t stop till the end. Their production is BIG, big lights, big sound, big presence. The constant dual backing vocals of Harri & Justin support the gigantic shoes of Joel O’Keefe with his brother Ryan on skins hitting that 4 to the floor beat. The O’Keefe brothers have a similar vibe to the Young brothers but hailing from Warrnambool Victoria. For their third song Girls In Black Joel was carried whilst thumping out his guitar solo & then proceeded his disturbing trade mark of thumping of his skull with a full beer can till it burst. Entertaining yes, clean & sober – not! Rocking through Back In The Game & then pouring JD & having a toast to the almighty Lemmy Kilmister to bring in the song they wrote for him – It’s All For Rock n Roll. They have indeed taken Australian Rock N Roll to the world & they will continue to do so, after just returning to Oz from a 5-month tour of the world. They now continue onwards for the rest of the year to the UK & Europe. A hard working, hard playing band & the audience just lapped it all up like the JD that was flying. Its only Rock N Roll but I like it! http://airbournerock.com
All the wigs, spandex & short skirts I saw in the crowd tonight were for Steel Panther. What an incredible paradox of humour & serious musicianship. These guys are so talented & the dirty Dad jokes are flying thick & fast. Kicking off the set with Goin in the Backdoor pretty much set the tone for tonight’s party. Lots of jokes & banter between songs & audience participation was expected & they certainly “came to the party” with that. Drummer Stix doing an impersonation of Rick Allen from Def Leppard & then onwards into Asian Hooker & more girls onstage. A great highlight of hilarity when Michael Starr changed to look like Ozzy Osbourne for their cover of Crazy Train. So well done. Russ Parish is out of control – what a guitarist! His ego solo section was incredible & playing the bass drum at the same time is next level. We were treated to more ladies on stage including some voluntary boob flashing & then into Weenie Ride. Why pay for dancing girls when you can have a stage full of volunteer fans dancing, meeting & hugging the band & rocking out to 17 Girls? Steel Panther are a sight to behold & they certainly know how to entertain. Wham, Bam Glam it Maam. https://steelpantherrocks.com
Thank You to MJR Presents for bringing us the show!
Review By Tina Summers | Photos by Just Ignore The Camera
STEEL PANTHER
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AIRBOURNE
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BARE BONES and LAGERSTEIN
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