REFUSED // Punk Just Came

REFUSED with Sick of It All & High Tension
Prince Bandroom, Melbourne – 24 January, 2017

While the sun sets over St Kilda, I demolish a veggie burger next door at Apartment 29 while people-watching. The show hasn’t even begun and I’m already excited over seeing Mindsnare, Screeching Weasel and Gorilla Biscuits shirts…AND a Haug twin! A HAUG TWIN!! Not only is this turning out to be a Goo reunion, (think ye olde Bang or MMRS) but it IS actually 1999 today… I wonder if Phil Jamieson is here?? (No. He’s not, but a Ryan Atwood from the OC lookalike c. Beginning of season 3, is.)

High Tension. Nothing has changed since I saw them open for Cancer Bats; shallow cheap vocals still making them the audible version of my menstrual cramps I currently have.

I was expecting the crowd to lose their shit for Sick Of It All. You know how I said before this was like a Goo reunion? Well, this was like a Goo reunion: we’re all in our early 30s to mid-30s, working 9-5, and it showed. Not to harsh anyone’s mellow, but after being at Stick To Your Guns on Friday, I was pretty disappointed. Even the band noticed, with lead singer Lou Koller making a sarcastic quip (all truth said in jest, though, yeah?).

The atmosphere, unfortunately, was tired. It was tired, but it was trying. Not to take anything away from SOIA, who were everything I thought they would be: NYHC and gang vocals.

Kickin’ it // Photo: Daniel Anderson

A friend described it perfectly by saying they spent more time explaining the songs than actually playing them.

The last time I saw Refused live, was 2012 and they were protesting Russia’s inhumane treatment of Pussy Riot. I can’t help but wonder what political agenda they’ll have tonight, hashtag make America great again.

Just as Refused came on stage at 9:50pm, my phone alerted me that I needed to go to bed at 10:20pm for a full 8hrs and 55mins. Thanks, phone.

Refused’s passion for politics and social equality is infectious and I know for me, since that moment my Dad randomly brought home The Shape of Punk to Come, it fires up that light on the hill in all of us.

Dennis is straight at the dancing, pulling shapes that could put your favourite Rainbow-loving friend to shame. Opening with Servants of Death, the crowd screamed “ALL! DRESSED! UP!” along with Dennis. Then, a mandatory play of The Shape Of Punk To Come.

They follow Refused Party Program by a brief political segue, serving as intro for Rather Be Dead. Dennis bursts through crowd with mic in hand, working everyone for an explosion of the whole venue screaming, “RATHER BE ALIVE!”

Hot suit shuffle // Photo: Daniel Anderson

The lighting is dim, making this sold out show all the more intimate. Somehow, the Corner Hotel would be a more suited venue. The energy of this band is like no other. THEY ARE ALL IN LONG SLEEVES WHILE I AM STRUGGLING TO STAND HERE IN A LINEN, SLEEVELESS DRESS.

So many pelvic thrusts and scissor kicks. Am I watching Dennis Lyxzen or David Lee Roth? That burning rage we all felt when we were teenagers is on display, especially as the gathered enthusiastically receive Coup d’ètat.

Refused’s passion for politics and social equality is infectious and I know for me, since that moment my Dad randomly brought home The Shape of Punk to Come, it fires up that light on the hill in all of us.

Refused aren’t very talkative tonight. It goes without saying that their politically charged songs and social conscience speaks volumes, but I can’t help but wonder if 2016 wore everyone’s favourite Swedish sons down along with us.

The encore started off with Elektra, while a monologue about men needing to destroy the petty patriarchal system to help make equality or whatever introduced crowd favourite, New Noise. Surprisingly, no one in the crowd, from what I heard, mixed the yeah and the woo up! Refused ended the night with an extended Tannhäuser / Derivè.

Although more music from Songs to Fan the Flame of Discontent would’ve hit the crowd’s spot, it’s safe to say Refused delivered the goods and don’t ever disappoint – even on a Tuesday night straight after work.

Don’t miss the last two Australian Refused shows with Sick Of It All & High Tension.
Tickets available here.

Wednesday January 25, Prince Bandroom, St Kilda VIC (18+)
Thursday January 26, Metropolis Fremantle, Fremantle WA (18+)