Live Review: Ooga Boogas, Tom Ridgewell's Mongrel, Hierophants, Tommy T & The Classical Mishaps

While not known to all, it's some legend named Zane Gardner's birthday tonight (his 18th, in fact) and to celebrate, The Tote is putting on an absolutely killer line-up. Catching the very tail end of Tommy T & The Classical Mishaps is an unfortunate shame, for the brash, ego-punk band are loud, crude and definitely have an audience at this early hour.

One, two, three, four — tempo up and Hierophants burst out of the gate, immediately grabbing the attention of this alcohol-lubricated crowd. While the band as a unit are on-point, it is their drummer Jake Robertson (also of Ausmuteants) who is the one to watch, executing fills and 16th note hi-hat rolls like he has been behind a kit since birth. Watching Heirophants truly is a joy from beginning to end and the band get better with each show.

It's not quite constant, but it is some form of mongrel billed as Tom Ridgewell's Mongrel; it's a mixed breed of the beloved Constant Mongrel. The six-piece deliver a variety of sounds with undertones of aggression and 'work for the dole'-type punk which, at its core — for lack of a better phrase — is downright fun. The band are having a whale of a time and as are the crowd — everyone is a part of the ride.

These days you've probably got a higher chance of seeing Halley's Comet than you do Ooga Boogas, so naturally it is an absolute pleasure to see them take the stage. The supergroup of sorts are in fine form and crowd pleasers Circle Of Trust and Mind Reader make an early appearance. Surprisingly, the group bust out 'hit' Sex In The Chillzone and, while a quite notable moshpit forms, the band seem disinterested. It is when they let loose and jam freely that Ooga Boogas really shine and by the end of the sweaty set it is no surprise that encores are requested. We don't get one, but birthday boy Gardner and his mates take the stage with Ooga Boogas' gear and play a brash, in-your-face set of hardcore that sees Gardner thrash in among the crowd and eventually collapse at the front of the stage. Wish my 18th was as cool as this!