Busybee
Norgdom
Perth MusicMonday 2nd March 2009
Steel blue Oval, Bassendean
Review by Luke Butcher
The third instalment of Soundwave was threatening to be overcast and windy by the time the gates were first opened and punters flooded in to catch the early bands. First up on Stage 2 was local boys Elora Danan, who played a strong set of new material from their forthcoming album due out this weekend, definitely worth checking out. The six piece got the crowd warmed up with their (three) layered guitars and powerful dual vocals. Despite playing only Parallel Universe from the breakout EP of last year, the crowd were obviously digging it, a perfect representation on the talent coming out of Perth’s heavier scene at the moment.
Over on Stage 3 a huge crowd had swelled to see Floridian kings of pop-punk New Found Glory. Despite their early time slot the crowd, made up mainly of long time fans of the Drive Thru Records days, witnessed an awesome set that showed why NFG are still producing quality records some 15 years into their career. Opening with the first tracks from their two biggest records Catalyst and Sticks and Stones, NFG brought the energy and the hooks; the crowd was clearly loving it. Playing a set full of classics and tracks from their two newest EP’s and just released album, the five piece engaged the crowd and were completely humble whilst delivering a killer set that reminded us all why we fell in love with them in the first place. After front man Jordan Pundik claimed their drummer was born in Perth, which they later admitted was a lie, NFG showed their experience playing Dawson’s Creek hit Kiss Me, from their 2007 covers EP From the Screen to Your Stereo 2, and fan favourite Hit or Miss. After sincerely thanking the crowd and announcing they will be back later in the year (shit yeh) the lads sent the crowd into climax with closer My Friends Over You. Awesome.
After a brief look at the disappointingly metal All That Remains, up next on Stage 3 was cult power pop band Saves The Day. Bringing a strong indi vibe to the smallish crowd, fans were delivered a well rounded set which showcased the emotion and heart these guys put into their music. With a bit of bounce and plenty of sing a longs, the growing crowd were not left disappointed. With at times a strong Jebediah feel, the band definitely pleased a lot of fans and showed why to certain people this band are almost a way of life.
After what was definitely the most entertaining soundcheck of the day, Jaguar Love busted into their dancey indi punk. The day was finally starting to heat up and so where these guys, JL introduced a great dance vibe to newly introduced Stage 6, enabling a few punters to throw some limbs around, however the use of backing tracks to replace the absent rhythm section was a little strange. Nonetheless the two piece with their flamboyant frontman, who’s been described as Robert Plant on crack (or my favourite, Perry Farrel after a sex change), did win over the crowd with their driving guitar rhythms and equally crazy keyboard lines and vocals. A breath of fresh air.
Speaking of air, the wind had been threatening to play havoc with the mixes all day and just may have achieved that on at Main Stage 2. When the lone figure of drummer (and clean vocalist) Aaron Gillespie appeared, you new it was the moment many fans (and teenage girls) had been waiting for. After a brief drum solo, Underoath exploded onto the stage for only their second time in Perth, and injected a huge shot of energy into what was so far the biggest crowd of the day. The bands bag was full of metalcore tricks, with breakdowns galore and punishing guitars and vocals. With the obligatory, but not preachy Christian speech, the band lost some punters, however at one stage a 20 metre circle pit broke out, an obvious tick of approval from the diehards. The band have something Intangible, something more than the majority of metalcore or even post- hardcore bands out today. The use of programming and keyboards as well as non-generic drumming create a strong sense of melody that most bands in their scene lack. Despite a poor mix, Underoath killed it.
Directly (like 5 seconds) after the guitars on Stage 2 had rung out Soundwave got shaken up, leaving punters running. Running to Main Stage 1 where Florida alt-rockers Anberlin exploded with the biggest sound of the day. The anticipation surrounding this band after anyone who witnessed their Perth show last year was obvious with a huge crowd of young and old making their way over. Giving this reviewer the first set of shivers for the day, the loud as hell Anblerlin went through tracks mainly from their 2007 masterpiece Cities and 2008 release New Surrender. The band could do no wrong. Sounding huge, tight and unexplainably beautiful the five piece won over the uninitiated and reinforced to existing fans why they have such a diehard following. Claiming they love Australia (Anberlin regularly tour oz) so much they wrote a song about it, Adelaide kicked the energy up to another level. Despite including elements from many genres, the band kept fans completely engaged. The ironically named Stephen Christian was on fire, taking vocals further than their studio placing and interacting perfectly with the crowd. The intoxicating rhythm and perfect progression of Dismantle. Repair. set off another set of shivers and the band ended with a bang leaving the biggest crowd of the day gobsmacked, also announcing they will be back later in the year. Alliteration aside, Anberlin are absolutely Amazing!!
Over on the intimate, shade covered Stage 5, a moderate crowd got to get their dance on to disco-punk rockers Innerpartysystem. The band sound fresh, managing to capture their studio sound live and introduce a strong element of fun into their rock soundings. Using Synthesisers, Samples, Vocal Effects and Programming, the band keep audiences guessing at what was going to happen next, but maintain attention with some heavy dance beats and guitar lines. Imagine a not shit version of Metro Station.
On Main Stage 1 a different looking crowd was starting to form. Made up of metal heads, scene kids and a “whos who” of local bands of the more technical variety. Waiting for the band to arrive, the air felt different, while those who new what was about to happen, patiently waited. Math Metal gods the Dillinger Escape Plan burst out and immediately got their crazy on. To describe this band is impossible, the level of technicality at which they play as well as the speed at which they play it is ridiculous, all whilst jumping on, around and off the stage more than all of the bands combined had done thus far. It was a set of Guitar Spins and Broken Strings, completely Spasmodic and Virtuoso, literally unbelievable. The introduction of new touring drummer Bill Rymer, did not slow things down a bit. How anyone can write this drumming with its ridiculous time signatures, completely atypical structuring and percussion, blast beats, non stop at (what seemed like) a million beats per minute, amazes me. To have to come in and learn this and tour the world whilst still making it look easy and fit in as many stick spins as he does defies me. The talent clearly doesn’t stop with him, with insane guitar lines delivered by guitar god’s Ben Weinman and Jeff Tuttle effortlessly on stage, on the drum kit, on the amp stacks, on the foldback monitors, mid air, mid spin and on the walls. (somehow justifies Weinman wearing knee pads under his jeans) The intricate bass delivered almost upright by Liam Wilson possess clear jazz influences, placing the guitarist levels above modern day metal bassists. The insane energy is capped of by the intimidatingly biceped frontman Greg Puciato. The man is massive; with an obvious appetite for steroids he controls the stage and leads the music with aggression and passion, somehow staying connected with the carnage going on in the music, without coming of arrogant or disinterested. The introduction of falsetto vocals with single black bubblegum showed the band have a keen ear for a hook, whilst the 5 piece seemed humbled to play to the completely blown away audience and came across as professionals at the top of their game. Absolutely Insane. Clearly leagues above some of the more generic metal bands on the bill, and possibly the best band in the world. No word of a lie, this reviewers mind hurt after watching and listening to their set.
Pity was felt for whoever followed Dillinger. Unlucky Bloodhound Gang. Not everyone’s cup of tea, but appeared to please those interested in them. Even overheard one punter describing how the guitarist vomited in the singer’s hat and then put it on his head. Pretty much sums them up.
With a short break and checking out a surprisingly awesome set from Chiodis, it was time for Los Angeles indi pop punkers Say Anything. Fronted by musical genius and struggling bi-polar Max Beamis. The band faced a long and arduous soundcheck. Playing a six piece live, the equipment on Stage 5 was failing and as a result Say Anything lost twenty minutes from their set. To properly receive the deeply personally music, one must understand where Beamis’ is coming from. His songs detail struggles with addictions, depression, intense happiness, insanity, religion, hopefulness and anger and are littered with unconventional metaphors. Lyrically Beamis is a genius and playing live he guides the ship with the microphone. (Say Anything write as a 3 piece with Beamis heading lyrics, guitars, vocals and keyboards, playing live as a 6 piece) However the poor mix for the first half of the set hindered Beamis ability to properly deliver his stories. However the band took care of keeping the intimate crowd engaged with many fans sing along to every word. The majority of the set was filled with songs off their first two albums; only lead single Shiksa being played off the bands latest release, the challenging but incredible 27 track double album In Defence Of The Genre. Say Anything delivered a strong set that fans new and old loved, also announcing they will be coming back later in the year.
As the sun set on Soundwave, the night had only just begun. On Stage 4, Virginian metallers Lamb Of God bought the brutality. Anticipation was huge for the band, with the strongest contingent of band shirts at the whole festival; they definitely had some fans about. A couple of punters even battled security guards and climbed the marquee over the sound desk just to get a picture as the band entered the stage. LOG were everything expected, heavy, dark, brutal and technically impressive, especially for a band with a combined age that must be over 200. Appearing mainly as long haired silhouettes in the smoke and lights, the band delivered redneck metal that a huge number of fans (even spilling over the hill of the ground) clearly lapped up.
On Main Stage 2 the headliners of the night industrial rock monsters Nine Inch Nails took the stage for what is rumoured to be their final string of shows as the band dissect after 20 years of making quality music. As a follower of the band but by no means a fan, I was completely blown away. The scope of the show, as well as the at times beauty, heaviness and groove was remarkable. The amount of gadgets musical mastermind Trent Reznor and band used was startling, but it never became over absorbent. With a truly electronic approach the band managed to capture multiple moods and keep the hugest crowd of the day waiting on every move. With hundreds of thousands of dollars of gear on display the band travelled through multiple sound scapes and delivered a truly superb set that showed why they are one of the biggest and hardest working bands on the planet. The band had a level of prestige and mystery that only the best have and managed to keep an audience of thousands eating out of their hands.
Leaving towards the end of NIN’s mammoth set to check out reggae rock soul band Bedouin Soundclash was an action not regreted. The 3 piece from Canada fit with a trumpeter and trombonist, bought the god vibes and the dance groove. Playing on Stage 5 with the lights twinkling amongst the trees to an intimate crowd was an experience only a handful were lucky to experience. The chilled out tunes and magic in the air made for some awesome moments that allowed punters to dance out their last remaining stocks of energy. Finishing with anthem Nothing To Say and inviting all those watching side of stage to join them, BS bought the party and allowed all those present to reflect on what was a magical day.
An amazing festival that was extremely well run with huge international bands that each delivered; the only way to sum up Soundwave 09. Strolling past NIN finishing up with 10 musicians on stage playing and then proceeding to destroy all their instruments was simply icing on the cake. Sorry for those who missed.
