Live Review: Redd Kross, Bed Wettin' Bad Boys and Bloods at Oxford Art Factory 24/04/12

Redd Kross main men Jeff and Steve McDonald were still teenagers when they released their debut album Born Innocent. Thirty years later the kind of loud, fuzzy rock that thrilled the young Californian teenagers finally seems to be seeping back into the Sydney live scene and both this gig's supports did a pretty good job of it.

Bloods embraced an almost cartoony fuzzy pop style that was still pretty raw but with plenty of hinting at the promise lying within. Frontwomen Sweetie and MC traded vocals effortlessly, a theme that was to continue for the rest of the night.

The Bed Wettin' Bad Boys started off loud, brash and exciting. They lost some momentum later on depending on which of three band members was taking care of vocal duties, but the sounds being wrenched from the guitars almost made up for any other quibbles. With shades of the The Replacements informing them, Bed Wettin' Bad Boys looked for all the world like a bunch of guys who just want to plug in and turn it up.

Considering there's only a handful of songs on Born Innocent that last longer than two minutes, Redd Kross wasted no time powering through their debut album. Despite being in his 40s, Steve McDonald still sounded like the bratty teenager yelling out the name of each track before the band would jump in and start throwing those battered hooks around. Born Innocent may be the band's punkiest, thrashiest album, but Redd Kross have always known the value of a sweet, sugary hook. Giving these short, sharp songs their due thanks to super tight playing and just as much energy as can be heard on the original recordings, Redd Kross then gave their fans a little treat playing later songs such as Lady In The Front Row and Jimmy's Fantasy.

Music has always been a cyclical thing, but seeing the young bands on this bill paying homage to Redd Kross, it sounds like garage rock and power pop may be peeking their heads out from the underground.