Openers for the evening, retro-pop outfit Ritchie 1250 & The Brides Of Christ, once again demonstrate their utter dedication to showmanship. Ritchie 1250 is indisputably one of the quirkiest and most endearing frontmen around, highlighted by his comical demands to his bandmates of “Cheaper! Cheaper!” during their cover of Sex Crazy Cop by Leoncie (a total MILF, apparently). Other delightful characteristics include Ritchie 1250's charming lisp, a token mid-show costume change and an attempted backwards summersault.
Next up, Brisbane outfit Major Leagues nod to Pavement in both name and nature through their fuzzy, garage-pop tunes, which they combine with understated, breezy vocals. They cover Splendora's You're Standing On My Neck, the famous theme song for cult '90s TV show Daria, and it's solidly performed. Though it's certainly a hit with the crowd, the band encapsulate that affected, grungy aesthetic to stereotypical proportions. However, Major League's overall set is a captivating, dreamy performance. Unfortunately for new fans, there are no CDs available at the merch desk. This is surely an oversight considering this show is partly to launch their single Endless Drain; a hazy, anthemic summer tune with some brilliant horror undertones.
Tonight's headliners Bloods' brand of twee garage-punk is like brown sugar, in equal parts sweet and gritty. The Sydneysiders have evidently developed a keen Melbourne following with this formula, much to the girls' joy and astonishment. The two frontwomen are instantly likeable – you can't help but wish you had friends like them to emulate throughout high school.
Tonight is the launch show for Bloods' new EP and the trio play Golden Fang in its entirety for the second portion of their set. The last three of these songs – Back To You, Hailing Down and Language – put less emphasis on that fast-paced dynamic of their earlier tunes, instead foregrounding strong vocal harmonies. Both female singers have matching voices in the vein of '90s cult idol Rose Melberg. Warm and expressive, they carry the melody effortlessly throughout their songs. This, plus the addictive bass hook in Language especially indicate the band's ability to craft a feverishly catchy pop tune.
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Though the crowd give an enthusiastic reception after each song, it's only Twentysomething actor Josh Schmidt and a few friends up front whose excited dancing truly mirrors the fun, high intensity of the trio's performance. However, the positive turn-out and reception undoubtedly indicate the strength and growing popularity of Bloods' sparkling take on scrappy, girl-driven punk.
