Live Review: The Smith Street Band, The Menzingers, Grim Fandango, Oslow

The earnest post-hardcore of local outfit Oslow was a little out of place on this bill but nonetheless the band offered up a tight set to strong applause from the early-comers on hand. I had no idea why the bass player from The Menzingers was playing for Grim Fandango but there were definitely no complaints to be had about the results. The Perth natives played catchy, passionate punk rock and their half-hour set ended all too soon.

Who would have thought that Scranton, Pennyslvania would spawn one of punk rock's most exciting proposals? Forget Springsteen and the increasingly disappointing Gaslight Anthem – The Menzingers are here to make you wish you were a blue-collar Joe from Nowhere Town USA. Muscle cars, small town boredom, substance abuse and all-consuming affairs with diner waitresses – they sound like clichés but in the hands of The Menzingers they become rich tales of a world just out of reach. Focusing on their superlative On The Impossible Past platter the quartet delivered a set without an ounce of fat. The words to Gates, Burn After Writing, Good Things and of course the ubiquitous The Obituaries were screamed back word for word as bodies surfed and fists pumped. Having had the chance to hear the band's yet to be released fourth LP (Rented World) I can assure you they are about to break big – time to jump on board people.

The Smith Street Band are the definition of good-time punk rock. Frontman Wil Wagner strode on stage and immediately owned the joint. Mixing up tunes from all their releases, including the newish Don't Fuck With Our Dreams EP, the boys incited a very good-natured riot within the sold out crowd. When you have tunes as good as Young Drunk in your arsenal the conclusion is foregone – The Smith Street Band are one of the greatest punk rock acts Australia has ever produced.