Words by: Simon Russell-White
Making our way through the heart of Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley, after somewhat muscling our way through some intense and passionate St. Patrick’s celebrations we find ourselves at The Black Bear Lodge. There’s a minimalism that I’ve always appreciated and loved about this venue, given its size, it’s always made for a naturally intimate time and is simply a great venue for live music!
Tonight, we’re gathered here to celebrate a milestone moment for Gold Coast/ Byron Bay legends Hammers after dropping their debut album Death Wobbles in late January it is Brisbane’s turn to be hit with some pure rock brilliance.
To kick the night into gear with certainty is Brisbane’s own Regular Gonzales. What has always impressed me about this 3 piece, besides the ‘surf time fashion’ shorts, is the sheer level of rock & roll fury the band can muster. You can’t fake the funk, or in this case, the rock, and trust me JD (vocals/guitar), Danny (bass) and Paige (drums) ooze rhythmic riffolgy in their sleep!
Mid set, us ‘Regheads’ were treated to a new track entitled ‘Shut Up and Take My Money’ a song of which will be part of the band’s new EP, which is yet to be released. Keep your ears to ground about that release Heavy friends.
With classic songs like Forget the Gold and Conflict, the band ended their set with a classic ZZ Top cover Sharp Dressed Man. The band make this song their own with a signature time change throughout which gives the core riff even more groove, well played RG, well played.
For almost a decade now Piston Fist have treated punters to a rich flavour of gritty thick sludge anthems and honestly every time I see this quintet they’re more crafted and polished. Tonight is no exception, coming in late onto the bill as (my band) Massic was unable to play Piston Fist delivered yet another fantastic set. Geoffro (vocals) has a very true-blue way of addressing the crowd, it’s sincere, it’s downright honest and with the band being such talented and precise musicians it’s impossible not to get fully involved in groove wave being rolled out song and song again.
Personal favorites Dig In and the almighty Repent make for a grand old sing along time with James Laval (bass/ backing vocals) delivering prime cut quality backing vocals coupled with a bass rhythm that is a key part of the foundational sound of PF.
Along with Geoffro and James the stage presence of newer members Churv (guitar), Ronni (guitar) and Thiago (drums) are a key component to what makes Piston Fist such a great live band, delivering each track with an attack that makes punters’ eyeballs sweat!
Piston Fist wrote a song a few years back titled Black Rain, it’s a song that points out the true horror of male depression and suicide. Tonight, it hit deeper as Geoffro delivered yet another poignant speech about the very existence of such a cruel and real issue within the male population. In the local scene, as I’m writing this, the issue has raised its ugly head, and yes there have been some survivors but there have also been some casualties, which cut deep. What a powerful band message delivered by a powerful and important band!
Righto, it’s party time! As the fellas in Hammers enter from stage left, there’s a feeling of love and respect in the air. These boys have been at it for a while, and over the course of a solid decade the (now) quintet has moulded a sound that is all their own. Having Death Wobbles in our hands and ears for just on seven weeks now it’s exciting to know that we’re about to hear a lot of these songs right here, right now and the anticipation is palpable!
Openers Salad Fingers and Floodlights set the immediate tone, and as expected the dual vocals of Leigh “Fish” Dowling (vocals) and Lucas “Stoney” Stone (guitar/ vocals) are on point, and adding to the strength of vocal duties is newest member Dario Lagana (guitar/ vocals) who has become a welcome addition to this already talented line-up of musically chiselled lads!
Singles Death Wobbles and Traps are more examples of the craftmanship, and time taken to lay out quality heavy rock core songs, and along with the entire set list tonight, jeez these songs translate well live, that second half to Traps is truly something else, those vocals are so damn in my wheel house of musical highlights I’d tattoo the notes on me, if I could!
Hammers are known for being light-heartedness and fun dudes, and yes, it’s always there coupled with mate ship between each other and a natural casual demeanour, but what is super cool is seeing what the boys have been able to make come to life, Death Wobbles doesn’t fuck around and nor do these boys, and with Ricky T (bass) and Ryan “Ruckus” Lucas (drums) this band is tighter than ever before, with the songs Apeshit and Rat Prince only proving my point.
Bloody hell this band tight!
The saying goes ‘Fuck Around and Find Out,’ and the song goes hard and is a true ass kicker late in the set, it has this Alexisonfire influenced groove to it, and honestly since Saturday it’s remained in my head like a welcome ear worm! Thanks for this fellas, truly, thank you!
To end the night, Hammers give us a 2018 classic from the Homeblokes EP, with Deadset, which only adds to carnage that FAAFO’s ending just gave us all!
To the lads in Hammers, congratulations on the album and thanks for being such well-rounded and talented humans, what a fantastic night of music by all and like always, thanks to The Black Bear Lodge for always treating us to such a great venue!
Much love to all, always, that was ‘Top Fun’!
Cheers,
Si
