Live Review: License To Ili - The Waiting Room

Cupcakes, raffles, bands and heavy drinking prove to be almost the best response to a burglary as droves turn out in support to help raise some funds for two of Brisbane music's local dwellers.

With a test pressing of their pending album release as a feature raffle prize tonight, playing uncharacteristically early Tiny Spiders flaunt their two-piece, guitar-drum swagger with volume at the heavy end being their guide. Playing new material and the odd My Bloody Valentine cover, the duo, whilst lacking in microphone volume, compensate in other ways, providing a good start for the night that gets a good reaction all around.

Relatively new band the Pussywhips are instantly more brash in their delivery as opposed to the rest of tonight's bill. The set revolves around surf guitar and random vocal contributions that are actually quite catchy despite not being the most original musical style to be attempted lately. Still, with only a few shows under their belt the band are quite proficient and this incarnation really works on the live stage.

The crowd are well and truly packed into the can when Undead Apes begin their set. With their latest long-player Killed By Deaf making the rounds on people's turntables, the group favour that release and bring a higher level of angst to the table tonight to their catchy local punk tunage. With the back of people's heads and the scalps of the band's heads being the only spectacle from the view at the back, it is the music that owns it tonight with perfect sound and near faultless delivery by all members involved. Following their somewhat short set is the much anticipated drawing of the stellar raffle.

The lure of the dusty car park for cigarettes and conversation perhaps overshadows the final band of the night as local group The Fevered play to a slightly diminished crowd... Unfortunately it is kind of clear why, with the music and the group not fitting in at all with tonight's bill. It tries too hard at several points, with the band's career aspirations seeming to be a footnote on a Soundwave bill. Still, the group are tight, obviously know their field and surely there is a market for them, somewhere.

As people gradually trickle out onto the street with no money at the end of the night, it's clear that they've lost their dosh to a far worthier cause than overpriced drinks and questionable vendor food. A sense of satisfaction reigns true with the general consensus being that robberies suck, but bands and cupcakes are far more enjoyable (duh!).