Live Review: HITS, James McCann & The New Vindictives, Cable Ties

Garage post-punks Cable Ties sure know how to draw a crowd - being the opener is no obstacle for this trio. Their set is a tornado of driving rhythm section plus loud guitars all topped off with a Kim Gordon-style vocal and attitude. They play a bunch of new tracks along with old favourites Cut Me Down and Same For Me. After one of these tracks, frontwoman Jenny McKechnie says, "It's a good luck song which means hopefully the Liberal Party will no longer be in power." We cheer in agreement. This isn't the only political mention, either. During their final track, McKechnie launches into an improvised rant of sorts. She screams, "Fuck you! Fuck you for making everyone into a production unit! I am not a production unit!"

James McCann & The New Vindictives crash out onto the stage with a yell and go straight into Ambition. Frontman James McCann growls, shouts and screams into the mic and is supported by his equally spiteful band. The set storms past in a sea of relentless drums, pounding bass and screeching guitars. It's loud, in-your-face and will keep your ears ringing all night. Painful feedback between songs doesn't stop the band from diving into song after song. This four-piece deliver up a slice of good ol' Aussie punk, which the packed venue just can't get enough of. 

Brisbane's favourite sons and daughters HITS take to the stage for their last Melbourne show before heading overseas. They give a shout-out to the traditional owners of the land before launching into a whirlwind of aggressive Aussie rock. After the first track, frontman Richard 'Evil Dick' Hunt says, "Fuck, I almost spewed. How many songs do when have left?" He looks down the setlist, mutters another curse and then takes a deep breath before Jesus F Christ starts up.

Hunt shouts and screams all while staggering around the stage, falling to his knees occasionally. His antics are supported by a heavy punk soundtrack played at breakneck speed. They speed through tracks Take Your Pills, Never Sing A Song Again and even through a new one. Between breaks, Hunt doesn't look great, stands still and covers his mouth with his hands. He asks that the band play a slow song, which finally happens with Sometimes You Just Don't Know Who Your Friends Are. The quintet fires through their set, playing I Need A Million (The Laughing Dogs cover) and Peter And Paul. At the end, he crouches down and very politely asks, "Would you like me to vomit on you?" We love every second of tonight's loud, drunken riot.