Live Review: Usurpers Of Modern Medicine, Erasers, Original Past Life, Tourist Kid

Under the banner of Transient Random Noise Burst, Rory Glacken was up first in his Tourist Kid persona. This was a set that defied traditional genre expectations; not quite ambient, not quite drone, but a sound that confidently sat in the leftfield of the electronic spectrum. Although playing to a small crowd, he continually tweaked and manipulated his gear, creating a soundscape that would morph and change every few seconds. Bathed in a soft light and billowing smoke, the set was punctuated with the alarm sounds of smoke detectors once the cloud became too dense.

The usual three-piece of Original Past Life played in a more stripped-down, streamlined configuration this evening. They outfit was reduced to a duo and we were treated to a set of organic, analogue electronica. There were definite nods to early-'80s soundtrack composers like John Carpenter and Vangelis and Original Past Life's sound was both foreboding and heavy, with bass that shook the entire room. Their use of a circuit bent Speak & Spell machine added a creepy, child-like element.

Erasers took to the stage next. The first act to provide vocals (outside of the warped Speak & Spell), their set consisted of slow burning post-punk, and drone-pop tunes, with monotone vocals and deep, washing synths. This is a band fond of repetition, with songs that are almost meditative in nature. Having seen these guys on a number of bills, they are a definite favourite local act who unfortunately seem lost on Perth audiences.

The final act for the night was rock-electronica act Usurpers Of Modern Medicine. Playing their usual tight set, their sound was driven to almost pain-inducing levels by Babushka's sound engineer. Without the protection of ear plugs, we spent the majority of their set towards the back of the venue, retreating from the sonic barrage.