Live Review: Poison Idea, A.V.O., Hostile Objects

Hostile Objects have been on quite the tear of late. Backing up a superb demo with the cracking Young God 7” the Sydney locals have also been destroying stages across the city with their uncompromising brand of crossover mayhem. Tonight was no exception, with the boys blasting out the likes of Deviate and Turkish Knives with a wickedly gleeful abandon. Hostile Objects are definitely an outfit to watch.

Former local noise terrorists A.V.O. reunited specially for the Poison Idea tour, having played their last show way back in 2010. And it was clear the boys were loving every minute of their set even if there were some rough edges. Still, this was a Poison Idea show – not fuckin' Dream Theatre – and A.V.O. clearly did their job of amping up the room in readiness for Portland's finest.

With Poison Idea it's always been about the swagger, and when Jerry A and the crew hit the stage it was clear they were going to do things on their own terms. Despite guitarist Jeff Walter battling sound gremlins throughout the set the band fired out track after track of raw and uncompromising hardcore to a crowd (that, judging by the high average median age) had been waiting for them to come to our shores for far too many years. While early material like Give It Up was definitely the sentimental crowd favourite for this reviewer it was the Feel The Darkness material that really hit home with vicious renditions of The Badge and Gone For Good particularly pleasing. Another highlight was frontman (and punk icon) Jerry A. From spot-on Elvis impersonations to irreverent banter the big man lit the stage up with ease. He may not have moved much but Jerry A was definitely the centre of attention. Sydney has been waiting to see Poison Idea for many years and with this chaotic yet satisfying performance the band didn't disappoint.