Live Review: Grenadiers, The Sinking Teeth, Dilettantes

There was certainly a sense of vividness in the air on this evening. Understandably, as there was a lot for Adelaide to be optimistic about; the Adelaide football club solidified their position in the finals, Port Adelaide football club defeated the minor premiers for 2015. But perhaps the most joyous aspect was that it was in fact the first weekend of Spring — Winter had come to a close. While the merciless cold conditions had not quite departed our state, the controversial author Norman Vincent Peale may have hit the mark, especially with his famous quote: "Change your thoughts and you change your world." It seemed the frosty conditions were simply a case of mind over matter.

What mattered most was that tonight, post-hardcore punk trio Dilettantes were ready and willing to embrace the honour of opening this event from the word go. It should be stated that this was not this writer's first experience of the three-piece, but it was easily the best. The band was exuberant and harmonious in presence, but engulfing in sound. Combining influences from legends of the genre Hot Water Music, with a more modern approach not dissimilar to Make Do & Mend or Adelaide brothers Paper Arms, the performance was testament that Dilettantes had well and truly earned this opportunity. Shoelaces was a highlight. To be perfectly frank, if the next basement show that's hosted in Adelaide doesn't feature Dilettantes, I don't want to know about it.  

Melbourne's The Sinking Teeth were the only official travelling outfit on this occasion, however, they very quickly stamped their presence on quite a willing crowd at Jive. Merging an array of genres into a hard-hitting, heavy alt-rock formula — including the precision of Muse, the angst of Against Me!, the pop sensibility of Bodyjar but with a hint of early Oleander for an element of nostalgia in a sense — The Sinking Teeth somehow coalesce it all into a pretty unforgettable recipe. Dead Breeze and You Can't Build A Bike Out Of Muffins demanded attention, which the audience happily obliged in giving, but it was the between-song banter, especially from bassist Julian Doan, which really put the cherry on top. There aren't too many bands out there that can utilise talking in fluent Vietnamese after performing a track and somehow achieve hysterics from attendees. This three-piece deserve more national attention and hopefully with a few more supports like their recent triumph with Jimmy Eat World, Australia will soon notice. 

It's been a long, winding road for Adelaide's Grenadiers, however this recent headline tour has seen the trio enjoy the fruits of their labours to the best degree yet (and it's about time). It has by no means been a quick ascension, but one certainly warranted nevertheless. Feature album of the week with triple j plus more radioplay than acts of much grander magnitude and experience, a spot on Like A Version, which has gone viral, and now, thankfully, headline shows in clubs reaching capacity, this night was the icing on the cake, but its creation is completely credited to the three gentlemen. 

Opener, Factotum was venomous but brilliant, instigating a moshpit for Good Advice that, to be honest, was easily predictable. The momentum carried on through with Wishbone, which saw the three-piece embrace a Queens Of The Stone Age-inspired rendition of Nothing On. It was quite literally "on" for young and old, but the party had really just begun.  

New single Take Forever was an adrenaline rush and an uppercut of vigour in the live setting, which for those unacquainted can appreciate through Grenadiers' new film clip for the track. A never-before-performed-live (in Adelaide) song Summer's End was an excellent, mellow, jangly indie-punk jam that should always be a part of the band's set from now on. 

A cover of Radio Birdman's New Race was nothing short of flattering and earned the trio quick praise for their excellent manipulation of the powerful song. Summer was the unsurprising closer but provoked crowd-surfers and keen moshpit contributors to become so intense that some of these poor enthusiasts were unfortunately promptly removed from Jive.

Incredibly but justifiably, Grenadiers were commanded back for an encore, for which they thanked said aficionados with a spiritual-yet-intense rendition of Stay Inside, a pretty picture-perfect thank you to their hometown really.

In a way it appeared to be over all too soon, but this is still just the beginning for Grenadiers. An upcoming national support with Unwritten Law will certainly put the outfit before new crowds and assuredly newer heights, but the supporting role clearly isn't what this act is destined for. Their potential to a degree is to be a premier band. It wouldn't surprise this scribe (or Australia hopefully) that this title isn't far from their reach.