Live Review: NOFX, Frenzal Rhomb, The Bennies

Arriving to experience what on paper might appear quite a threatening line-up in both size and stature, it seemed like all of Adelaide’s eclectic population had amassed just outside the CBD at this iconic venue for what was to be an iconic show.

In the event trepidation was not on the cards, only enjoyment, because a show of this nature always defies generational gaps. This became blatantly obvious at the sight of a man of baby boomer era sporting the same pink mohawk as a girl of barely the teenage age group – always an excellent and promising ideal.

Are Melbourne’s The Bennies possibly the hardest working punk act in Australia right now? Prove this writer wrong but I believe so. Literally spending life on the road in support of their astonishing second album, this reggae-ska-punk-dance-funcore (just invented that description) outfit are turning heads everywhere and leaving hangovers in their wake. Their ability to rile the crowd, especially vocalist Anty Horgan, who utilises his keyboard as a climbing implement and DJ apparatus, is simply outstanding. It has to be seen to be believed, but if evidence is required, listen to their hit Anywhere You Wanna Go and imagine four long-haired fanatics charging around the stage like preschoolers on a cordial buzz. Better yet, their energy is so infectious that even zombies would smile. Don’t worry, the quartet will be back before even they know it.

Sydney’s Frenzal Rhomb know how to entertain and their introduction song of Electric Light Orchestra’s Don’t Let Me Down was sung by a capacity crowd at a deafening level, probably for the first time in Australia. From that moment, there was no time to stop as they ploughed into Genius, Punch In The Face, Ship Of Beers, Mummy Doesn’t Know You Are A Nazi, Bucket Bong, Bird Attack, Never Had So Much Fun, Not My Friend and You Can’t Move Into My House among others with some excellent onstage between-song banter – it wasn’t just expected, this was relished and celebrated. With Lindsay “The Doctor” McDougall and Jason Whalley exchanging hilarious anecdotes, the band never missed a beat; it seems even The Doctor’s Dress or Jason’s Pig Tapeworm can’t stop this beloved four-piece and for Australia’s sake hopefully nothing will.

What better way to start a NOFX show that with a beer bong? Just ask Fat Mike and he’ll comply. Outrageous, offensive, intoxicated and involved, sure, but what else would one expect from these Californian long-stayers? Murder The Government, 72 Hookers, Leave It Alone, Eat The Meek (performed almost seductively), Leaving Jesusland, Linoleum and We March To The Beat Of An Indifferent Drum with countless others created an uproar and it was as visually impossible to see as it was to get to the front of the bar. Requests for The Malachi Crunch or the 18-minute epic The Decline were sadly rejected, but the derogatory Muslim comment, urine beer bong prank, Tony Sly tribute and 11 songs in ten minutes made up for it. As well, the encore included Dinosaurs Will Die and Franco Unamerican, not forgetting the accordion version of Theme From A NOFX Album, although this was slightly oddball even for them. With Thebarton Theatre actually running out of beer at some of its bars, it was probably the best time to end the night, although while the show may have finished, the love for this vulgar punk band is far from it.