Live Review: Frenzal Rhomb, Totally Unicorn, Scabz

Knowing that Frenzal Rhomb have made it to another album, their ninth, with all band members relatively unscathed is a massive relief.

First up, the self-proclaimed "shittest band in Newtown" Scabz kicked it off with some kick-ass, inner west punk rock. Short, fast and loud with colourful track names like Shit Cunt and Marrickville Metro, they had plenty of punters enjoying the shit out of the opening set.

A slight delay due to technical demons had the crowd getting restless, but all that was unleashed once party thrashers Totally Unicorn blasted onto the stage in a burst of cheap confetti. If you've never witnessed a Totally Unicorn show, then prepare yourself because it's one hell of a ride.

Sweaty and near-naked, burly frontman Drew Gardner spent more time in the crowd than on stage, with those tiny tie dye undies barely keeping it in. The band powered through a grinding set of straight to your face cuts from their debut Dream Life getting the pit nice and sweaty for their adopted fathers, Frenzal Rhomb.

Australia's oldest institution, Frenzal Rhomb have miraculously made it to album number nine, no easy feat considering their penchant for injury and near-death experiences.

Dressed in hi-vis, the four-piece took the stage opening with new tracks Classic Pervert and the awesomely titled Ray Ahn Is My Spirit Animal.

Despite the years of torture, the band are energetic as ever, with Jay Whalley hanging out on the barrier as punters stroked his long dreadlocks. Russell Crowe's Band, Bucket Bong and Mr Charisma all kept the circle pit punching on.

An appearance on the most Aussie track ever Bird Attack saw the two near-naked guitarists of Totally Unicorn lend a riff, but the most important guest of the night came as Lindsay 'The Doctor' McDougall was 'fired' and replaced by original guitarist Ben Costello. Twenty years have gone since Costello last played with the band, and to celebrate he was made to play the amazing Ben, a special moment for any long term fan of the band.

Unfortunately, the show wasn't all roses, with the band calling out a harassment issue they saw within the crowd, asking the gentleman to kindly "fuck off elsewhere". There is no place in music for that kind of bullshit.

Ending the set with the "encore" of Never Had So Much Fun and the punchy as hell Punch In The Face the crowd erupted, and for those who missed the show, would be doing as the name suggests.