Live Review: Jonathan Boulet, Unity Floors, The Rocketeers

If you’ve taken the time to listen to Jonathan Boulet’s new record, Gubba, it should have come as no surprise that his performance was a heavier, darker and most definitely louder affair than ever, one that pushed eardrums to the threshold and nearly blew Pirie & Co.’s pretty little roof off.

Unfortunately for opening local band The Rocketeers, it was a quiet start to the night with majority of the crowd coming in only just before Boulet’s set, possibly because they were added to the bill at quite late notice and that an earlier start time to the norm for Pirie caught gig-goers off guard. Despite all that, the boys still brought their A-game collection of pop-indie tunes, which made for a pleasant start to the eve.

Backs were still to the wall and butts still on seats for second act Unity Floors, who are the touring support for Boulet. It’s always a challenge to produce a great sound and a lot of punch from a two-piece, but the Sydney duo is getting close to the mark.

An almost unrecognisable Jonathan Boulet appeared on stage with drummer Jacob Hicks and guitarist Thomas Wykes to blast 30-second track and opening song from Gubba, Don’t Call Me Champ, which catches everyone’s attention. Just like that, the bearded folk-indie vision of Boulet you may have remembered is shattered and you realise you’re in for something completely new, which is pretty darned exciting.

The set, almost in its entirety, was full of new heavy rock material, except for an almost resentful play of Trounce and You’re A Animal, as well as a slap-stick cover of Tammy Wynette’s Stand By Your Man. Hold It Down had a few hardcore scallywags (and possibly co-Snakeface members) initiating push-shove action and shoulder rides with the fairly low density crowd. After getting Trounce and ...Animal “out of the way,” the band closed off with another new track, Creeper. Boulet was clearly keen to strike those hyphenated genres from his title and has done so with a mixed reception. Side projects in heavy ‘core bands have strongly influenced the new JB, and you’re either going to love it or hate it. Either way the show does way more justice than the recordings with a clearly well-rehearsed, strong band.