Live Review: Dune Rats, Doctopus, Gunns, King Cactus

Since the release of their Red Light Green Light clip, Dune Rats have soared in popularity, so much so that they managed to sell out every single show on their tour. Perth was no different, and it always makes for a pleasant sight when eager punters make their way down early to see the opening bands. King Cactus kicked things off for the evening and were spectacular – imagine FOAM vocals mixed with Mutemath instrumental work. The keyboard added a whole new element to the sound and it sets them apart from most local artists at least in the garage/surf rock territory. Gunns were up next, and by that point the room was almost full. Like their predecessors, they continued to up the ante with their own blend of surf pop, while the crowd gradually continued to build in their raucousness.

If ever a band was the perfect main support for a Dune Rats gig, it would certainly be Doctopus. The crowd and the group worked through each other as the trio played a range of tracks of their drawling yet upbeat garage rock, and a throwaway line about having to go to Centrelink to pick up pay for a pedal (which ended up being the wrong one) produced a roar of approval and laughs from the mob of people watching. It's doubtful the whole crowd knew much about them, but by the end of the set it was pretty evident their name would be etched within the audience's collective mind.

Despite the insane energy levels of Doctopus, Dune Rats managed to take it to a whole new level. Wide-eyed and wired the trio looked as they launched into album opener, Dalai Lama Big Banana Marijuana, and from the get-go, as expected, people were lifting themselves up onto the stage one after the other for a bit of jumping around and then a stage dive. That happened all night at the band's encouragement, while the mosh at the front was probably one of the most intense witnessed at the venue. The atmosphere was chaotic as the group played through Red Light Green Light, and the rampant nature of the crowd continued right up until the end, which would have no doubt left some attendees feeling quite sore on Sunday morning.