The Bronx / Pennywise
‘Full Circle’ 20 Year Anniversary Tour
By Pearl Tizzie
Thursday 2nd November 2017
HQ Complex, Adelaide SA
For those who didn’t get lost and end up at the old HQ on West Terrace, and managed to make through the new entrance and up the blue stairs, a tiered wedding cake of punk heaven awaits.
Mad Max meets 90s punk scene, the venue is affectionately referred to by the bands as the THUNDERDOME.
Opening act Adelaide’s The Lizards, a powerful three piece, managed to fill out the stage in front of a back line reminiscent of a backline of cabs like a stack of presents under the tree. Fans of early Grinspoon should check these guys out.
The venue is very similar in layout to the old HQ, but more squat, more tiers, and with more reverb. This show would be pretty close to sold out. But more impressive is not the number of punters, but their dedication against the stage, patiently or not so patiently awaiting abuzz with anticipation, AND on a school night. These guys are definitely here for the bands and the music. The floor is pretty much packed the whole night.
The Bronx take the stage, the singer clutching three beers and a bottle, and the crowd goes nuts. Not a note yet played. He is just so happy to there, almost as happy as the four levels of screaming punters. Matt Caughthran doesn’t muck about and is in the middle of pit in the first song. Mic lead fed by security, and held above mashing heads by obliging (and tall) audience members. Caughthran is a force to be reckoned with, a solid rock in the pit for most of the set. ‘Sometimes you just gotta move and you just gotta shake, for all those who can’t move and can’t shake’, a modern Ghandi of Punk. Even dived to catch a falling crowd surfer.
The Bronx will have you filled with energy, pumped, and forgetting about whatever you were angry about in the first place. The chops of these guys don’t go unnoticed, and leave you satisfied filling the punk rock sized hole with a set of rippers including ‘Shitty Future’.
Chants for headliners Pennywise come from the excited kinetic crowd. This tour they are playing album ‘Full Circle’ in full 20 years after its release. (Yes we are old, but as the saying goes, age is something that doesn’t matter unless you are a cheese.)
The fourth song ‘Society’ makes the crowd go wild. The band talk about how the song is more relevant than ever. A lot can happen in 20 years, but Pennywise make sure they pack the same punch as when it was released, if not stronger. Solid drums. Bass ass bass (2 x 8 x 10). And chunk punk guitar. Although Fletcher even has the crowd fully committed to a silent circle pit.
Pennywise finish the set with a few covers including excepts of ‘Ring of Fire’ and Beastie Boys ‘Fight for Your Right to Party’. These guys still have it, and clearly have no signs of loosing it.
Relentless and committed punk.
Solid performance.
Pumping and puissant.
7/10
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