Words Simon Russell-White
Pix JD Punisher Photography
A few weeks ago, during HEAVY’s interview with Better Lovers, the question was asked “How do you think the tour will go?” the answer from guitarists Jordan Buckley (ex Every Time I Die) and Will Putney (Producer & Fit for an Autopsy) was borderline poignant and very honest!
For the ex-members of Every Time I Die previously mentioned guitarist Jordan, bassist Stephen Micciche and drummer Clayton “Goose” Holyoak it has just gone seven years since they last set foot on Australian soil, for guitarist Will it’s been a couple, with this being the case for vocalist Greg Puciato (ex-Dillinger Escape Plan, Killer Be Killed, The Black Queen & Solo) who, may as well take up residency here, a move which I’m sure would please many fans!
So here we are at the start of 2026, at Crowbar Brisbane for the first ever Better Lovers show in Australia!
It’s Friday night, the venue has filled early and first up is Gold Coast Hardcore quintet Glitter Strip. From the first note, beat and scream it was clear that the openers are not here to mess around! There’s quality here, and to compare purely for painting the sound for you all Salam, Massachusetts own Converge come to mind! Their set is raw, abrasive and filled with more hooks than a keen fisherman’s tackle box!
It’s always a treat to see an opening band throw down and set the tone for the night, the energy and oneness Jackson (vocals), Axel (bass), Al (drums) and guitarists Jake & Liam possess only compliments their sound as these guys move and play really bloody well. Fellas, you have a new fan here, and I look forward to the hairs standing up on the back of my neck again soon!
Thank you for the musical connection and pure class Glitter Strip, incredible!
Jeez time flies, and honestly, I had to look twice when checking what year, the next band up formed. For 13 years the Gold Coast’s own Blind Girls have shaped their style of ‘screamo’ and wow wee did they bring it tonight. Vocalist Sharni’s distinctive rasp is on point and is pitch perfect all set, like the openers, the movement and flow of the band is playing key to this live experience.
The rhythm section controlled by Mark (bass) and Grant (drums) keeps things low and flowing while guitarists Luke and Julian maintain the overall flavor, this being more than any standard screamo dish. Blind Girls keep the listener and observer focused and manage to create an ambience tonight, if you’re not on board yet, I suggest you check this band out asap!
It’s currently 6° Celsius in Bristol, UK, this being the hometown of English rockers Split Chain. If the hot and humid weather in Queensland bothered anyone on stage, then they sure didn’t show it. Split Chain delivers a heavy and emotive set, emotive in the way of musical notation and all out deep feels. Singer “Bert” Martinez-Cowles voice sails through the PA system as the band cruises through their eclectic tracks including stand out (for me) who am i? drawing serious attention and crowd participation.
It’s been a whirlwind two plus years for the lads, from playing small hometown shows, to signing with Epitaph soon after now Bert, Jake, Oliver, Tom and Aaron have embarked on their first ever Australian tour, and tonight’s show along with Better Lovers is their first here in the land of Oz. It was special, and the reception the quintet received will surely see them return very soon!
What’s better than an audio mash up of all time classic 70s, 80s & 90s tracks to kick off a set?!
From the first note of A White Horse Covered in Blood the crowd rushes forward as an all-out war to get to the front of the no barrier stage breaks out! Better Lovers deliver their set like their backyard spray painted ‘Better Lovers’ back drop, with absolutely no frills but please, please, please rest assured the performance quality is the polar opposite and the energy and grit did not dissipate for one frikkin’ millisecond!
Judging by the shirts punters were sporting, it’s definitely a ‘if you know, you know’ crowd and together we are all here to see Better Lovers deliver what was never going to include the word ‘maybe’ but most definitely the word ’guarantee’ of a good time given the caliber and overall pedigree of the bands members.
Collectively Better Lovers crushed Crowbar, and having no barrier made for an all out old school crowd surfing bonanza, having positioned my 42 year old self in front of bassist Stephen Micciche I was soon reminded of the roughness that had already ensued, as a result my left eye now has a Frank-N-Furteresk look about it, but no complaints here as I will wear this ‘shiner’ with pride as it’s a small price for admission for what was witnessed.
Having already enjoyed such luxury up front, Greg Puciato was more than willing to share vocal duties with any audience member willing to participate. Luckily as the band smashed out one of its extra tracks from 2025’s Highly Irresponsible, Don ‘t Forget to Say Please, Greg pointed his mic directly at my new look face, and I gotta tell you all, after all these years of seeing Greg live it was cool to experience that again, cheers GP, you’re too kind!
Even when gears are kicked down a notch with the track At All Times the band manages to haul in a wave of fans and the sing along’s made for a counterbalance between the crowd and the radical Crowbar PA system! Jordan and Will forever leaning over the adoring and loose crowd as “take more photos of Goose” Clayton Holyoak manhandles the drum kit like we all know he can and does every single outing!
It’s just so damn good to see Better Lovers in a live setting, and it lived up to every thought and dare I say expectation ever, but even writing the word ‘expectation’ feels weird because I think I can speak for all who attended, we are just happy to see these guys looking happy and enjoying what they do, together!
Having managed to catch a soaking wet Jordan Buckley straight after the set, I asked him, “How do you think the show went”, he simply replied with a smile“Dude, I don’t think it could have gone any better, dude!”.
Case and point, well done Southeast Queensland and like always, thank you Crowbar, Brisbane.
