Pix by McBrad Media
Words by Emma Moule
Perched near the bar with a perfect view from the 308 merch desk, I watched as a diverse crowd of 80s punks and metalheads rapidly loaded into The Zoo, nearly hitting the 400-head capacity.
Between the mowhawks and battle jackets this crossover gig was one to remember. The legendary sound engineer served us some LOUD punch with rhythm and from where I was sitting delightfully there was no escape, constantly being served a nice heavy metal hug when bass and kick drum pounded you in the chest.
Up first was local black/thrash band 308, a band I have killer memories of watching way back in 2008. The local favourites got a circle pit cranking in no time flat, serving up brutal vocals with thrash exploding in songs such as Atomic Assault and Baptised in Bullets.
Next up was Killrazer. This was my first time seeing these guys, and I noticed the promoter Doug jumped up to play an impeccable set. The band were intense, luring the crowd into a loud and brutal dance of appreciation through and after each song. I didn’t know the names of any of them, but everyone else knew the lyrics as they jumped around. I didn’t know these guys before… I’ll never forget them now!
Speedball up from Sydney brought the punk crew loud and proud! The chants from a levitating crowd Speedball, Speedball was a fuckin scene on its own. Fast. Heavy. Relentless. It was easy to see why their CDs were being snatched up from the merch table!
The guests of honour D.R.I, from their home town in Houston, USA, were finally upon us and every voice erupted in appreciation of their presence.
The thrash/punk/rock/metal that is D.R.I played a fast 90-min set for the mass gathering. 40 years of Dirty Rotten Imbeciles had filled The Zoo with an army of fans who have followed them from the very start, plus so many more excited fans who were just getting their first taste of U.S.A thrash. Shirts, pants, you name it, they were all torn from the pit goers. Safety pins were even pulled from shirts with smiles to help fellow gig goers to put their clothing back on. Our community once more heavily united.
I must mention the coolest punk I’d met earlier that night, who had his poster with him to be signed from a gig he went to here in 1987. His passion and dedication were just one story I was learning about these guys who have filled the alternative hearts for decades.
I was embarrassed I didn’t know them that well.
Can’t wait to see all bands again! For such brutal sounds, these guys all had manners of saints! The Zoo was excellent as usual for venue choice.
