Live Review: Soviet X-Ray Record Club, Cakes, Le Tupperware

It's a solitary and relaxed night, but even as the 7pm door call of Black Bear Lodge brings in a few local music enthusiasts, no one could truly be prepared for the glorious night about to come together. After intensely recording a fresh EP, Soviet X-Ray Record Club are ready to proudly display their gorgeous new work to their friends and fans.

For a fairly empty Black Bear Lodge, Le Tupperware start things off with gorgeously artistic melodies. The two-piece ukulele and acoustic guitar outfit begin their set with what seems like a beautifully simple track with hints of delay within both Nick Schwarer and Sam Pudding's vocals. Their open and honest tracks reflecting on the beautiful yet also harsh realities of life, living in Brisbane, the sad realism of death and the happiness of buying dogs on Gumtree. Through their beautiful emphasis, minds were expanded and tears shed by those coming in early to hear this amazing opener.

To kick things off into a louder spectrum, Gold Coast two-piece alternative post-punk band Cakes blast right into a wild set. Sporting deep, aguishly glorious distortions, frontman Jake making his way around the stage with an overdose of energy delivers a powerful enough performance to compare them to the likes of a heavier Queens Of The Stone Age. With continuous fuzz and fast-paced drumming, music enthusiasts occupying the Lodge were almost overwhelmed with the raw power coming from this tremendous act.

At the very peak of energy of the night, Soviet X-Ray Record Club took the stage. Frontman Steven Appleton started the set with the opening track Glasslicker off their new EP, Houses, energies at an all-time high with the gruff lyrics; "Sour milk, bad taste, glasslicker". Beautifully constructed, Soviet X-Ray Record Club's performance was complete perfection.

After their powerful entry into their set, the band followed with Love So Cold, older favourite Shake and mellow new track The End Of Everything. But almost nothing could compare to new track Sacred. The glorious opening guitar solo, Steven's vocals and the accompanying drums continuously built into a culmination of artistic beauty — it was a musical marvel.

It seemed only right that the band close on This Girl. After a few months away from shows, welcoming them back had the venue in high spirits. It'll certainly be a great marvel to see what's next in store for the Ipswich favourites.