Live Review: Shady Lane

A long day of vintage cars and markets made way for some vintage Perth performers in Rinehearts. Sporting ex members of Screwtop Detonators and current Leeches!, the power-pop trio weaved through catchy two-minute wonder songs like the pros that they are. They're sounding tight and well-seasoned rather than the exciting buzz band they have become.

The Painkillers need no introduction as superstar drummer James Baker starts banging skins in the now three-piece. The band tread a fine line between bluesy-folk and rock'n'roll, sitting in the pocket of layered songwriting and lyrics to get your sing on. The Painkillers just keep on keeping-on! 


Zerodent’s uncompromising '80s punk sound flowed on nicely, as the band's frontman franticly jostled around the stage. Sometimes mistaking his microphone as a drumstick and bashing along nicely to the rhythm section, he further drew in punters to the madness. Zerodent have an ear for melody; songs that heavily involve bassist Predrag Delibasic on backing vocals see the band in full flight, relying on songwriting and melody rather than heavy distorted guitars.

Thee Loose Hounds are an intriguing band to look at: before they've even started, Reuben Unkovich’s rock'n'roll swagger urges fans to get involved and flood to the front of the stage. With no bass player, you might expect the band to be lacking a bit of soul, but that’s just it, they are all soul. Smokey, whiskey-ridden vocals passionately belted out by the frontman was soaked up by the venue as the garage-rock band grooved their way through the set.

The Shakeys are back baby! Judging by the tightness of their beer-swilling dirty rock sound it feels like they never left. The band’s first gig in nine months with new guitarist Jason Mirosevic was a great settler, with each tune channelling garage rock from hell with a nice MC5/Stooges vibe mixed in for good measure. The ever-captivating Claire ‘Bear’ Hodgson spitting beer on a loving crowd signals the return. They ain't taking no prisoners.

The Volcanics have just about done it all here in P-Town (and the country and the world for that matter). A frantic swelling crowd at Badlands was testament to the fact that the band keep getting better. Tighter than a drum skin, channelling influences from a time before social media, Johnny Phatouros and his mates make rock'n'roll look easy. Beautifully synchronised guitar melodies and a phat rhythm section to match sees The Volcanics juggernaut keep on chugging long onto the night.

The Caballeros were the first of the late-night bands in Hen House Live. After a long hot day at Badlands Bar they could be forgiven for taking it a bit easy. But did they? Hell no! Singer Jake England is like a jack-in-a-box, just waiting for his band to strike that first chord as he springs into life. Relishing the closeness of the smaller venue, he spread The Cab’s brand of soul-tinged rock'n'roll like he does best - right up in your face. The band tirelessly work to match England’s energy and the result is one of the best live bands you will see in our town.

The Sperts were last to grace the stage with an interesting take on garage rock'n'roll with a saxophone on tow. Singer Blake Hate is well known to any musician in Perth, and his contribution to championing a new breed of garage punk band in this city shouldn’t go unappreciated. He led the band through a mixed set of garage punk rock, underlined by metal guitar solos.