Live Review: The Smith Street Band, PUP, Great Cynics, Apart From This

Melbourne’s self-described “bummer-punk” band Apart From This aimed for a balance between down-tempo, strummy alt-rock and sludgy, chugging punk riffs, but the result felt sluggish.

It seemed the crowd, open to mixing indie-rock with punk, were hoping for something with some more energy. However, the songwriting, particularly the guitar parts, showed a knack for complexity and contrast not shared by all of their peers.

No such problem with UK trio Great Cynics, whose first trip to Aus must be earning them their fair share of love, if this hook-laden set was anything to go by. The quick set packed in a fair amount of variety thanks to singer-guitarist Giles Bidder’s dexterity, as well as some nimble and powerful drumming from Bob Barrett, but when bassist Iona Cairns took lead vocal duty, the three-piece really shined, her voice cutting through the guitars with real raw power.

Also making their Australian debut were PUP, a Toronto-based punk four-piece who released one of 2014’s most promising debuts. Effortlessly breezing through the frantic time signature changes of opener Guilt Trip, the band continued to show off hard-edged tunes with serious musical meat on their bones. A lightning-fast rendition of Mabu provided contrast with the thunderously stomping Yukon, and before long the set was done. Of course, it was way too soon - let’s hope it’s not long before a PUP headline tour.

Melbourne indie-punk icons The Smith Street Band were met with rapturous applause from the sold out crowd. It was a warm reception which the band had more than earned after a huge 2014. The band didn’t stop to celebrate, instead ripping into Something I Can Hold In My Hands, kickstarting a hit parade that didn’t let up. The band then brought out their new record’s big hit Surrender, to which the audience knew every word. Fists pumped and lyrics were shouted from every corner of the room at the band’s enigmatic frontman, Wil Wagner.

Up next was the band’s new single, Wipe That Shit-Eating Grin Off Your Punchable Face, and the song’s gravitas (which defies its title) wasn’t lost in the mosh, although the band weren’t keen to let sombre thoughts of Abbott spoil the vibe. Every time it seemed the band’s ultra-personal, heart-on-their-sleeve honesty was endangering the energy, they picked things up again. With the endearing Young Drunk as their closer, the enthralled crowd made it clear that these guys are more than welcome to keep touring every three or four months if they want to.