Live Review: Violent Soho, Dune Rats, Bloods

It is always a pleasure to see Bloods around Sydney and they proved this once again as first support. In spite of the sore throat plaguing lead singer MC, it was their usual fun and playful set with a new song that was a breath of fresh air as it dripped with sultriness.

Dune Rats can seem completely shambolic and disorganised at times but unlike any other band as the sincerity behind their attitude allows them to pull it off with charisma. Somehow soundchecking in the set and the bass player not showing up until the second track made them more entertaining to watch than if it was a smooth show. They are extremely good at what they do – delivering catchy and noisy slacker rock – with chaos failing to detract from their musicianship.

Watching Violent Soho leaves you without any words to really describe what they do other than say they are just so, so good. The brutal guitars and strong backbeat of their tracks combined with contagious hooks translate so well to the stage and are made for moments of reckless abandon in a venue. Unfortunately, this was the downfall of a number of moshing guys in a circle pit of flailing limbs who had their nights ended with escorts by security out of the building. The gaping hole left in the middle of the audience only dampened the spirits of the crowd for one or two tracks, but a more sober medley of moshing and headbanging eventually filled it.

The Brisbane boys perfectly executed their set and they are definitely a band that has to be seen live to be really appreciated.