Live Review: Skullcave, Apache, Black Stone From The Sun, Bad China

The Four5Nine bar at Rosemount Hotel always presents punters with great sound and also great bands. Starting the pace was Bad China, the four-piece busting out their usual set list full of refreshing tunes that blow your mind. Frontman Austin Nagual’s crazy antics and his wild vocal stretched across the bar and between songs he said, while cringing, “Oh my guitar’s a little outta tune – if it bothers you, let me know.” The lead guitarist played pretty groovy, hooky melodies mixed with distortion and various effects while the drummer and bassist built dynamics from the ground up throughout. The duo to follow, Black Stone From The Sun, busted out some really heavy riffs and thrashing drum sections. Sean Mackay warmed the crowd’s hearts with his statement “Happy Skullcave day”, his vocals, very grunge-esque, and Jack Nelson’s vocal harmonies complementing naturally. Nelson is a machine on the drums, combining with Mackay’s distortion-on-top-of-distortion method.

The never disappointing five-piece Apache’s main man Tim Gordon seemed somewhat ecstatic when taking to the stage, and went on to state that he and his bandmates had a BBQ after being let off work early due to lack of customers, thus giving the band most of their day to rehearse freely. They pulled out some mean tunes and even covered Band Of Skulls. Looks like happy days for these guys.

So on with the show: finally, the Perth supergroup comprising Jay Marriott (The Novocaines), Liam Young (Puck) and Steve Turnock (both bands), joining forces in an attempt to win over some extra Perthian love under the name Skullcave. The trio played comfortably thanks to their tight-knit friendship, formed within their other projects together. The band bring to the table elements of doom as heard in Puck and a major influence in Marriott’s mix of ambient feedback and wailing riffs. They showcased their range of tasteful breakdown sections composed of droning bass lines and thrashing drum lines that pulled the heartstrings of their quickly- growing fan base and other musically aware beings in the venue. Plus, they also busted out a Fleetwood Mac cover. Their single, Acid Tone, was very successful thanks to the help of Jim Powers and his generous passion for local music. The night went wonderfully and everyone stayed back for a chat and some last drinks.