As Flaming Wrekage’s brutal fourth album tickles your earholes, you know this is something special. …
NOFX with Hot Water Music, Bad Cop/Bad Cop & Dad Religion
Riverstage, Brisbane
Thursday, 22 March, 2018
Hailing all the way from Los Angeles, California, NOFX embarked on their two-show Australian headline tour last night at Riverstage, Brisbane.
In addition to their upcoming performance at Download Festival in Melbourne, NOFX will also be performing in Sydney at Hordern Pavilion this Friday. Supporting artists for the night included Dad Religion, Bad Cop/Bad Cop, and Hot Water Music. Each band brought something unique to the stage, and indeed created an atmosphere of the original punk rock vibes. As Brisbane weather began to darken throughout the night, fans braced themselves to endure the cold that was about to occur.
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Opening for the night was Dad Religion, a four-piece dad-punk supergroup from Australia. Dad Religion created a humorous environment on the stage, including classic dad jokes and general banter throughout the set. Dad Religion demonstrated a classic punk sound, very much alike to their influence band, Bad Religion. Members of the group, included; Stevie from Clowns, Lindsay and Gordy from Frenzal Rhomb, and Grant and Cameron from Bodyjar. All these artists on a stage together created vast amounts of energy and stage presence. As Dad Religion continued to engage with the crowd with humorous banter in between songs, it ultimately made the performance an experience much different to any other genre of music. While performing classic punk cover songs, and giving it their absolute all, it was clear Dad Religion is here for a good time.
Second support act for the night was Bad Cop/Bad Cop, a four-piece all-female punk band from Los Angeles, California. Bad Cop/Bad Cop brought diversity and political messages to the stage, including a verbal statement in regards to Donald Trump, and performing one of their latest songs released last year, Warriors, featured the current political dilemma America faces. Bad Cop/Bad Cop portrayed to the crowd the message of self-reflection and uniting. Bad Cop/Bad Cop know who they are, these kick-ass women face the stage confidently and perform with such energy, drive, power, and force, to prove and show commitment to every word they sing. Overall, these feminists created powerful and unified energy amongst the crowd, as their messages of self-reflection and uniting grow; they will continue to inspire and influence strength through their music.
Bad Cop / Bad Cop // By Bec Reid
Following on for the night was Hot Water Music, a four-piece punk-rock band from Gainesville, Florida. Hot Water Music perform in an apparent matter, while still maintaining that original coarse punk sound. Playing songs such as Bury Your Idols, the 8th track on their latest album Light It Up, really engaged the crowd and had fans singing every word. As the Brisbane weather began to fade over, the rain started to pour from the sky and ultimately saturate everyone in the crowd. Fans continued to sway and sing all the lyrics word for word as though it was an anthem born to be sung at the local pub, while embraced in the arms of fellow mates. As I looked amongst the faces at Riverstage, it wasn’t your average crowd. It indeed was an experience of the punk music culture. Never have I seen so many mohawks in one place at a time, including families with young kids jamming to the old school punk music, and even men that look like your average suburban dad, all came out to witness the sounds of authentic and original punk music.
Hot Water Music // By Bec Reid
After much anticipation, the headliner for the night faced the stage with humour and enthusiasm. NOFX certainly pleased everyone in the crowd through engaging in a way like no other, by creating such emotion through every song they performed, it reminded us all of the rebellious days as a child, and now to reminisce on days gone by as they created a sense of nostalgia amongst the crowd. NOFX created such a humorous environment on the stage that is clear NOFX certainly do not take themselves too seriously, and generally, do not care what anyone thinks.
NOFX // By Bec Reid
Through the pouring rain, the crowd continued to endure and move along to every song in time with the beat. As NOFX came to the end of their set, it was made clear that they have just as much energy and stamina than they did when they were younger and first starting out over 30 years ago. There is no doubt we will see NOFX again soon, and for many more years to come. Finally, in the words of the jokers of the night, we are all just ‘Insane in the Brisbaine [membrane]’, referring to a Cypress Hill lyric.
NOFX // By Bec Reid
NOFX, Hot Water Music and Bad Cop / Bad Cop play Download Melbourne this Saturday, tickets available here.
NOFX will also be playing the following tonight with special guests Hot Water Music, Bad Cop / Bad Cop and Dad Religion at Hordern Pavilion, Sydney NSW.
