Live Review: Stockades, Seahorse Divorce, Quiet Steps, Palisades, Feverteeth

Feverteeth set the tone early for the night, their sharp hardcore grabbing the attention of the small crowd that assembles early. They work their way quickly through the set, with barely any break between songs. The final track sees the band pummelling their instruments (the bassist even throws his hat at his bass) for the big finale. Next are Palisades, playing the third and last show of their return to playing live after a year-long break. Their music explodes and sprawls in equal parts as the singer roars from the front of the crowd. The band's excellent set reinforces how disappointing it is that they can't (or won't) play more frequently.

The Queensland contingent of the bill takes over next; first up, Brisbane threesome Quiet Steps. The trio have a very interesting, post-something sound; like a mix of the best of classic Sub Pop bands without sounding derivative or unoriginal. Their set's only blemish is some bass issues that disrupt momentum in between songs. Following Quiet Steps are newcomers Seahorse Divorce. The five-piece's jazzy indie rock brings some feeling of warmth to the freezing cold night and their recently released album will make perfect summer listening. As the crowd warms up, some people start dancing only to be thrown off by the odd time signatures and more freeform sections. “We'll be better next time,” they repeatedly promise during a later song; not that their fantastic set needs any improvement.

“This song's about being in Footscray and having an alright time,” remarks Stockades' singer/saxophonist before Likeminded 3011 (partly named after the Footscray postcode). The local boys head the bill tonight, launching their new self-titled EP. They're a band with an interesting and incredibly unique sound. Emo vocals, math-rock guitars and jazzy saxophone fills shouldn't necessarily go together but Stockades make it work perfectly. The two guitarists play off each other with ease, tapping their guitars more often than strumming, while the singer swaps to saxophone to add soft textures to the mix without clashing with the rest of the band. Something To Fill even sees a brief singalong from the more devoted members of the crowd.

Stockades have been toiling away for the last 18-or-so months, putting together some incredible songs and an excellent live show. The bandroom tonight is only half full, but everyone is captivated by the performance. If any band deserves your attention right now it's almost certainly Stockades.