Live Review: The Painkillers, Catbrush, Python, Aborted Tortiose, Emu Experts, Donny Rat

Loose and energetic seemed to be the tagline of the punk tinged night as The Painkillers celebrated the release of their new EP, Garage Sale Girl. It was immediately apparent to all that this was to be a show with some dirt under its fingernails.

First to grace the stage was Donny Rat. Rat seemed to be half punk, half outlaw and all attitude as he aggressively strummed his way through his set-list of songs about tragic situations and broken characters. It wasn’t all pessimism however; Rat lightened the mood with jokes about all sorts, including copulation with aliens. Next, Emu Experts, beers in hand, took to the stage and the guitarist summed up their set best with the line, “Screw the bass; I’m out of tune too.” The band’s vocalist had the charisma of a man who stopped caring long ago and he finished up their kinetic set by taking to the crowd and slamming a beer can into his forehead until it tore open and sprayed the crowd. Damn fun.

Aborted Tortoise continued the precedent set by the Experts, only with a little more melody. The band boasts a diverse range of influences from surf-rock to hardcore punk and this really makes for an exciting and unpredictable show – an incredible set from the youngest band there. Catbrush took things in a slightly more hypnotic and experimental direction. Particularly enjoyable were the almost primal, dual female vocals and the inventive, meandering guitar solos. Catbrush were a definite highlight.

Finally the room swelled for the veteran headliners who took to the stage with a quiet confidence that continued throughout the set. Although less frenetic than most of the other bands on the bill, The Painkillers filled the room with more energy than anyone who preceded them and the final song slowly built up speed and intensity until the room was ready burst. Apart from a minor hiccup with the bass it was a solid and confident set.

Closing out the show were Python who turned it back up to 11 for the little energy anyone had left. Another fun and alcohol-soaked set and indeed whisky seemed to give their vocalist the power of a husky voice. The bands on the bill were perfectly chosen for this celebration of brash rock‘n’roll and punk, both old and new.  Anyone who enjoys a bit of filth and unpredictability would have felt right at home.