Words by Kyra Jade
Photos by Sarah Gilpin
Special thank you to Destroy All Lines
It’s almost guaranteed that if I’m attending a Riverstage gig that it will rain on me. It’s not ideal seeing as though Riverstage has very limited shelter, no seating and a grass floor. Despite what the weather reports forecasted, this time I got lucky and evaded complete saturation. From the moment I arrived at the venue, I was transported into a different world and completely surrounded by hordes of fans rocking their interpretation of Electric Callboy. I’m talking heinous wigs, fluro 80s workout gear, the infamous bowl cut hair do’s – the works! Immediately this set the tone for what kind of night I’m in for… Bring it on!
Japan’s Coldrain were tasked with opening the show for us tonight. Lately I’ve noticed more people showing up early to support the openers which is amazing. Although having said that, on a big headline tour like this it’s really tough to capture a big crowd. Sadly this was more or less the case today with their audience mostly on the move to get merch, snacks, drinks and whatever else sorted before securing a spot for the night. Honestly, it wouldn’t have mattered if there was only one person standing there, Coldrain where ready to play their hearts out regardless. Opening with Ex-Humanity, I noted that they weren’t going to follow suit by opting for heavy stage props tonight; they let their music and instruments do all the work for them. Coldrain were the perfect appetiser for the evening – generously treating us with seven songs from their repertoire.
Shortly after we begin to see a transformation happening right in front of us… Is it a stage or horror movie set? It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to guess who’s up next…
Securing Ice Nine Kills on your tour is a great way guarantee your show will be a hit. Put it this way… By the time they finish their set and you manage to locate the parts of your brain that have just been blown to smithereens, (most likely fed through a wood chipper by INK’s fearless ringleader and front man Spencer Charnas), you will be well and truly amped up and ready to get your Frankenstein ass front and centre to party with Electric Callboy.
There’s a lot coming at you. It’s all props, outfits, blood and constant mini side shows going on around you although, even with a complete horror themed undercurrent, it’s somehow light-hearted and so much fun to watch. For someone like me who enjoys fifty-thousand things I can focus on happening at one, it feels like a serotonin injection straight to the brain. I love it.
Ice Nine Kills opened the show with The American Nightmare, followed up by Meat & Greet, Funeral Derangements and invite you to maniacally take part in The Laugh Track. Before we realise it, we’ve passed a sign that says Welcome To Horrorwood and appear to be in some sort of an Ice Nine Kills fever dream singing every word to Hip To Be Scared.
I was really excited to see fellow Aussie, and band member of Make Them Suffer, Alex Reade run out on stage and proceed to belt out Twisting The Knife with Charnas. I’ve been a long time fan of Alex, and know what she is capable of, but holy damn the lady has some pipes on her. Great performance, although I regret to inform you that sadly Ghost Face, who is on coincidently stage reigning terror, didn’t agree with this statement and decided to take Alex’s life right there on stage… RIP!
Yes, Ice Nine Kills are heavy on the stage theatrics side of things, however, it would be a crime to discredit the band backing up the chaos. Their strong harmonies, thumping basslines handed down by Joe Occhiuti, who’s Dingwall guitar happens to be that shade of orange that I’m obsessed with at the moment, and each member playing their part like it’s the last gig they will ever perform is exactly what makes an Ice Nine Kills show so special. If you take away the bells and whistles from stage, you will still be left with one hell of a show.
(Please note: Ice Nine Kills aren’t featured in our gallery)
After a brief intermission, and the stage underwent its second costume change of the night, the crowd’s energy spikes as the lights dim, signalling that it’s showtime. Electric Callboy come flying out on stage; reminiscent of wind up and pop toys in the way they are sprinting out from every direction. Their energy is infectious and it’s almost impossible to not smile upon their arrival.
Appropriately so, they open with TANZNEID before ripping into their cover of Sum 41’s Still Waiting. I don’t know about you, but I get such a kick out of seeing Frank Zummo behind the drumkit. He is having the time of his life as a touring member of Electric Callboy and I adore seeing him getting involved in all their shenanigans. Australia will forever go down as playing a part in this union because if it wasn’t for Good Things 2024, and perhaps a touch of divine intervention, this wonderful match-up may never have come to fruition… It wasn’t on my bingo card, but I will forever be a huge fan.
The aforementioned punter’s in costumes easily entice you to join them in the craziness; you can’t help but dance along as you lose yourself in a blur of smoke cannons and confetti. You’ve likely seen the latest AI trend on social media of ‘what you looked like in the 80s’, well Electric Callboy and Co. don’t need any of that shit; they are straight up nailing the look in real life, and you know what… It’s so bad that it’s good.
Mid-way through the show, Zummo puts on a drum solo to entertain the crowd. Upon reflection I realise that it was a stroke of genius; I say this because you have this crazy drum solo presented that takes you on a wild journey, featuring elements of Slayer for example, then before you know it, the whole band presents on staged dressed in their finest ‘boy band’ attire, and break into Backstreet Boy’s I Want It That Way. How’s that for polarising? Everything is perfectly orchestrated to entertain you and it’s nice to look around and see everyone smiling from ear-to-ear. I’m all for it!
What a wonderful journey Electric Callboy have been on. I’ve enjoyed every moment of watching them go from packing out a tiny side stage at Good Things in 2022, to successfully headlining their very own Australian tour – twice! If you haven’t had the chance to watch Electric Callboy live, take this as your personal PSA to do yourself a favour and get that ticket! You won’t regret it.
Until next time, legends!
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PHOTO GALLERY
COLDRAIN
ELECTRIC CALLBOY
