Jul
22
1.59pm

’68 // Solid Gold Brass


’68 with Grenadiers, Pagan + Crusch
Northcote Social Club, Melbourne
21 July, 2017

It just ain’t rock ‘n’ roll when we lose one of our own.

Friday night after a savage winter battering is bad enough. Friday night and the feeling’s not alright? That’s a tough one. The passing of Chester Bennington left a hole in many hearts last night, even if we didn’t want to admit it to ourselves. Huddling together out of the cold and colourful streets of Northcote was an indulgence, but it was where we needed to be.

Crusch // Photo: Nico Kearns

Looking like they just knocked off a 12 hour shift, Crusch (pronounced Crush, not to be confused with the K-Pop star, they said) played a nervous set in the style of 90s emo, mixed with a bit of down-in-the-dumps prog bits. At one point they ripped off Oceansize. If you’re gonna rip anybody off, Oceansize is a damn fine band to choose.

Pagan // Photo: Nico Kearns

Pagan, Pagan, Pagan. Mio Dio, Pagan. What a band to see at ground-level of the burgundy and crushed velvet bingo-hall that is the Northcote Social Club band room. Bursting right into their Italo Disco trip, singer Nikki Brumen must be hiding an industrial strength screaming machine in her slender 5’5” (tops?) frame. She’s one part cheerleader, another part hellhound. It was like watching Aerobics Italian Style. Flanked by the most Italian rhythm section north of Carlton (per che Dan, rosso vino?) their ass-shaking and mind-bending grooves were certain to give Senore Dario Argento a chubby lump in his pantaloni. Next time they’re out, ‘see em.

Grenadiers // Photo: Nico Kearns

Peeling off rolls of beach rock and an attitude from the golden years of Aussie alt rock (that’s the late-90s, motherfuckers) Grenadiers take the Violent Soho/Tired Lion thing a few years further. It’s part suburban disdain ala Jebediah. It’s part pisstake and part tribute like Regurgitator’s earlier, rockier numbers. It’s wild and raucous similar to our beloved Grinspoon of old. Even though everything is a throwback these days, Grenadiers just wanna have a good time and play rockin’ tunes. It rubbed off on us, playing call and return on surf rock flavoured Ramona. If that isn’t a sign they did the trick, I guess you’re a bastard coated bastard.

'68

The Michael McClellan // Photo: Nico Kearns

 

[Josh] rocked and rolled on the ground, he rocked and rolled on Mike’s drum riser. He didn’t give a god damn.

’68’s first song was “something you haven’t heard before,” Josh says in a wry monotone, “so please sing along.” Bang, and it was on. From the opening notes clanging around the room, we were led into a trance. Mesmerised, they had their hooks in and we never wanted them to let go. Josh busied his hands with one in the air, the other pushing notes around frets like he was dialing a phone number.



Frenzied, he thrashed around the stage in a dervish, more often than not bracing himself on the edge wall. He took little mental notes, as if he was saying “don’t crash into this bit again.” Each song they played felt like their last. Not just of the set, but ever, as if they’d be led off to the gallows after they said their thank you.

The Josh Scogin // Photo: Nico Kearns

We could feel the raw power—and an Iggy Pop comparison isn’t too outlandish—coursing through the air between our beer and bottles, between our fingers and toes. He screamed even if the mic wasn’t in front of him. He rocked and rolled on the ground, he rocked and rolled on Mike’s drum riser. He didn’t give a god damn. This was pure, balls-heavy rock we could feel proud of. Many in tow were Norma Jean or The Chariot fans curious to hear Josh’s new sound. They departed ’68 faithful.

Thank You, Josh // Photo: Nico Kearns

Riff after punishing riff was a secret dialogue between himself and the audience, between what a guitar can do and what a drum can bang. If you were on the fence about ’68, hop the fuck off and get to seeing them. Because ’68 is ’68, no matter what they say.

WATCH >


’68 Remaining Tour Dates

SATURDAY JULY 22 // THE BASEMENT, CANBERRA 18+

SUNDAY JULY 23 // OXFORD ART, SYDNEY 18+

MONDAY JULY 24 // SMALL BALLROOM, NEWCASTLE 18+

WEDNESDAY JULY 26 // CROWBAR, BRISBANE 18+

Tickets available via Destroy All Lines


Disclaimer: Pagan’s Dan Bonnici and Nikki Brumen have contributed to Hysteria.



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