Korn‘s Jonathan Davis was so excited by ORGY that he created his own record label …
DEEZ NUTS with DREGG, Heists, and Rare Words
AM//PM at The Crowbar, Brisbane
Sunday, 30th September
Celebrating the long weekend in Brisbane called for hitting up the Crowbar for a drink and a great line-up of bands.
Already with an impressive turn up at the bar before doors opened in the downstairs venue, people patiently awaited the live music to start, trickling in slowly once doors had opened. Waves of black clothing welcomed you to AM//PM’s Emo Night. Most importantly, the buzz of conversations showed the excitement to see heavy metal favourites Deez Nuts in flesh alongside Melbourne based hardcore band DREGG, Sydney five-piece Heists and local legends Rare Words.
Yanno, Rare Words like “grandiloquent” // Photo: Alex Nisiriou
Opening the night, Brisbane’s self described ambient/heavy rock band Rare Words took the stage. Starting with their 2016 single No Paradise, an hour after doors opened, the band held a great audience, although it was a shame to see the audience stand back and observe. Rather than sharing the same energy as the band had on stage, the audience were quiet and listened, instead of getting involved instantly. It never discouraged Rare Words, powering through their performance, keeping an intense stage presence up the whole set.
Engaging with the audience, vocalist Joel Reardon invited the crowd to come closer to get some participation going. Asking punters how they were doing and having a laugh on stage warmed up onlookers as more meandered into the small venue, closing in and starting to dance…or headbang at least.
Are We Just Dancing In the Dark? // Photo: Alex Nisiriou
Announcing the upcoming release of What’s Left of Me, Rare Words put on a strong performance, followed up with pivotal song Lost, ending their set on a high. Reardon’s straining during Lost showed the effort he had put on during their set, never stopping him from putting in his all during the closer. Energetic and fast paced, Rare Words warmed the crowd, with minimal to no phone usage by audience members, which showed the engagement and dedication to the band, despite their lack of movement during the set.
Taking to the stage, Heists was now greeted with a full venue of friendly and anticipating faces. Opening with Disquiet, the title track off their 2018 EP Disquiet, the band played through the entirety of the EP, barring one track.
A mosh started during third song Wasters, and the audience was ready to go. A flashing mess of hands and heads flying in front of the stage really started to set the atmosphere of the night. From observation you could tell that metal heads were here to appreciate and enjoy the music, rather than treating it as a night to get drunk and create mischief.
Finishing off their set and the night with fan favourite Your Mother Should’ve Swallowed You, there wasn’t a moment no one was singing and moving. Chanting along to the lyrics, both fans and the band had smiles on their faces.
Heists amped up excitement, thanks to a great stage presence and a coherent set. The band was tight, and worked together to produce the almost studio-perfect performance.
Dregg Loves Star Trek // Photo: Alex Nisiriou
DREGG started dropping art-bombs, chanting “This is the return of creativity. This is the return of individuality. This is the return of the mother fucking DREGG.”. Following, the band went straight into their newest release Return Of The DREGG, released earlier this year which was explosive and filled the venue instantly.
“If an election was held today, who would you most likely vote for…” // Photo: Alex Nisiriou
Playing through their whole back catalogue in shuffle mode, from Return Of The DREGG (2018) to tunes from their EP No Comment (2016), then back to their EP The Dregg EP (2017), as well as Exploring The Kardashians Through The Universe and Ridiculous. Finishing with single Weirdo, the sight of the band was lost in a wave of hands, drowned out by crowd singalongs.
The mix of heavy metal and rap had the audience thrasing at the end of their lure, their frantic hype-man routines drawing them in.
Deez Nuts lit af fam yeet // Photo: Alex Nisiriou
The audience was nothing but loud and excited for Deez Nuts. The air was dense and damp from bodies packed tightly together to get a glimpse of their favourite bands. During set up and soundcheck, people were eager to reach the metal stage barrier. Eagerness and enthusiasm grew, and it roared to overwhelming when Deez Nuts were ready to perform.
How much lit can a lit fam lit if a fam could lit fam? // Photo: Alex Nisiriou
Opening with Binge, a track from the oft cited Binge & Purgatory, they blew through sixteen cuts, including some from as far back as Word Is Bond.
The energy both on stage and in the mosh was incredible; vocalist JJ Peters stood on the railing, inching closer to his audience in an already intimate space. Faces pushed against his torso, while others desperately grabbed the mic to scream a couple of lyrics. A sea of bodies clawed on top of each other to grab a glimpse of the band; or hopefully hear themselves over the PA system.
On a scale of 1 to fire how lit is JJ right now // Photo: Alex Nisiriou
Deez Nuts would stop after every few songs to show their gratitude towards the crowd before asking them if they’re having a good time and if they were okay. Yells and screams of utter wonder and happiness enveloped the venue erupting forth for their final song. Finishing off their set and the night with fan favourite Your Mother Should’ve Swallowed You, there wasn’t a moment no one was singing and moving. Chanting along to the lyrics, both fans and the band had smiles on their faces.
Too Litimate to Quitimate // Photo: Alex Nisiriou
Thanking the crowd, punters fired up with one last chant begging for one more song, and putting in a few “one last set” chants for good measure. Giving up hope Deez Nuts would come back for a final final song, people started to make their way up stairs to sink a few more tins and rave about how great that night just was.
The Deez Nuts Does Australia tour continues at the Shark Bar tonight and throughout October.
