Live Review: DZ Deathrays, Palms, Foam

Corner Hotel's stage has been arranged to cater for tonight's headlining Brisbane two-piece, with stage left drumkit angled. Perth act Foam waltz out, all straggled locks, and make the most of this atypical set-up. The dynamics and mechanics of their sound are very Nirvana 101 and, coupled with singer Joel Martin's predilection for thrashing around with hair in face, the similarity is compounded. Their enthusiasm wins the crowd over, however.

“Hello, we are Choirboys and this is Run To Paradise.” Except that it's Sydney's Palms. Piss-taking frontman Al Grigg is gregarious and wacky. There's an upbeat, melodic sensibility to the group's power-pop sound. Vocal lines drive the tunes and the preponderance of “ah”s and “whoa”s found in tracks like Love demand crowd participation. As the boys conclude their set, the first crowd surfers of the night materialise.

As MOP's Ante Up (Robbin Hoodz Theory) fades out over the PA, the curtains are opened to reveal DZ Deathrays, basked in ominous red light. Drum rolls courtesy of the flailing Simon Ridley merge with vocalist/guitarist Shane Parsons' first meaty power chord and, as the recognisable thrust of No Sleep ensues, the crowd chant the lyrics with greater vigour than Parsons' amplified voice.

A spartan lighting configuration of the letters 'D' and 'Z' behind the duo is as rough and ready as the music itself, adding to the rawness that makes this band so effing good. Ocean Exploder has audience members singing the guitar line and Dion Ford from Palms is invited onstage to provide extra guitar for Less Out Of Sync. Following The Mess Up, and proving they're still piss-fit, Ridley has an entire beer poured down his gullet by an excitable aide during a drum solo. Teenage Kickstarts and Gina Works At Hearts conclude tonight's high-energy set, with Parsons' guitar feeding back musically on its own in his absence.

“Here's a new song that we haven't practised,” Ridley mumbles upon the duo's return, before the toms and intricate guitar work of Tonight Alright sound. “This is the biggest Melbourne show we have ever done. You guys are fucking awesome!” bellows Parsons. The controlled chaos that is Teeth, from the Ruined My Life EP, closes out this undeniably kickass show. D and Z ghost images dance on the retinas of the sonically pummelled as a parting gift.