Live Review: Frenzal Rhomb, Sun God Replica, Cosmic Kahuna

They've rocked against Howard, they provided the only ten minutes of Austereo radio worth listening to, and now Frenzal Rhomb is turning 25. Having released the best of, We Lived Like Kings (We Did Anything We Wanted), tonight's show is a thank you by way of a 25-song set list voted in by fans.

Cosmic Kahuna are a raucous choice of support and they hold the attention of the early comers with their throat-tearing vocals. Loud and impossible to miss, Cosmic Kahuna seamlessly bridge the gap between old and new. Old punks eye up the new punks and ropes of dreadlocks stand side by side with short-back-and-sides clad in business shirts.

Next band up, Sun God Replica, are a revelation. Fronted by Link McLennan, or Link Meanie as many better know him, the three-piece belt out solid, fuzzy rock'n'roll. Finishing up with a cover of The Beatles' Ticket To Ride, Sun God Replica breathe new life into the song, knocking a few corners of its original candy coating. Sun God Replica's beautifully structured brutality, often punctuated by McLennan's visceral howl, is the perfect palate cleanse before the incoming musical kick in the chest.

Almost on cue a deafening "Frenzal" chant picks up and the four-piece take the stage. Tonight's crowd-voted set list will be played in order of least to most popular, lead singer Jay Whalley informs us. Whalley quips "do you feel like the best time of your life was 1997?" before blasting into When My Baby Smiles At Me I Go To Rehab. Guitarist Lindsay McDougall adds, "Heaps of people hated this song too," as they launch into Racist from 1997's Meet The Family.

The mosh, even two songs in, is brutal. Twisted limbs sail overhead and Whalley doesn't hesitate before throwing himself in headfirst. While they may take the piss out of themselves, the band can lay claim to having one of the most formidable frontmen in punk. They nonchalantly dodge errant water cups, cans and items of clothing, paying them scant attention. It can be surmised that 25 years of dodging such things would do that to you. It takes a minute to remember that Frenzal's fans enjoy hating them and the band themselves encourage it.

The Home And Away theme tune merges into I Miss My Lung. Some legend busts out a lighter, before several other legends follow suit. It's a killer tune, but the body of the song appears to be missing. "I'm pretty sure at some point that had a middle section," says Whalley. The band takes a stab in the dark before giving up. "We should all go and watch Amity Affliction... No, nobody deserves that," cracks McDougall.

The set progresses hard and fast, and the band sound exactly as urgent and tight as they did ten years ago. Whalley's voice, especially his guttural roar, has held up where many, many other vocalists have blown out. McDougall on guitar and Gordy Forman on drums give it everything they have.

As Frenzal Rhomb crack the top three, Whalley laughs as he informs us "we all live in nice houses because of these three songs. Except him, he lives in a shitbox," gesturing at bassist Tom Crease. Without wanting to give away any spoilers, the top three are probably exactly what you would think they would be, and they sound effing brilliant.

Frenzal Rhomb continue to be the band that their fans love to hate. One of the very few bands that can get away with missing entire parts of songs and still walk away with a completely entertaining, electrical set that leaves the crowd sweaty, bruised, and gagging for one more song.