Live Review: The Love Junkies, Pat Chow, Jacob Diamond

Walking into Badlands, aka old Devilles, the first thing to be heard was Jacob Diamond's unmistakeable voice. A busy couple of years for Diamond has seen him and band become an alternative folk-rock melody making machine. An enthusiastic, young crowd at the official Badlands opening gives you a nice glimpse into a bright future for the young singer-songwriter, with a set full of intricately written, mature folk songs with plenty of catchy vocals for punters to sing along to.

Indie-punk rockers Pat Chow simply write the most perfect blend of quick, hooky, clever songs. Superstar drummer Jamie Gallacher taps his sticks, the band kick into gear with a non-stop set on indie-punk songs laced with grungy undertones. With a swollen crowd taking full advantage of the extra space on the Badlands dance floor it was easy to see why PC's popularity grows and grows with fans seeming to know as many of the words as the band as they shout them back right on cue.

What better band to celebrate the opening of a rocking new venue then to have one of WA's most hard rocking bands headline. The Love Junkies fit the bill like a nicely worn out pair of Vans. Like a true headliner, the lads are gig-hardened, absolute pros at a jam-packed Badlands. After a series of soft openings, it was finally officially open for business, and business is good! A montage of fuzzy guitar goodness, The Love Junkies really execute the use of subtlety and heaviness, luring fully suspecting punters into beautifully harmonious safety only to have their heads blown off by the very next chord. Badlands have really nailed the upgrades to the venue with a bigger stage and unrestricted dancefloor, and The Love Junkies were the perfect band to show off its credentials as ecstatic fans moshing and crowdsurfing to grunge-soaked crunchy tunes like Oxymoron and Maybelene. Rumour is it was their last show of the year, if that's true we are sure the next one is going to be an absolute cracker.

The Perth original band community cried out for more venues, Badlands has truly come to the party. Hopefully it gets the support and backing it needs from bands, fans and promoters alike to establish itself as a staple in Perth live music for years to come. Now who do we call to get a gig there?