Review and gallery: JD Garrahy

Well, here we are again. Miami Marketta is buzzing with the anticipation of the world’s greatest cover band taking the stage, and you know what, even know they were only here last year, it doesn’t detract from the fact that we’re in for one hell of a show.

I have never had the good fortune to catch The Cutaways (sorry legends, the planets have just never aligned for me to get to a show). But let me tell you what, they do not disappoint. Encouraging the crowd to move closer to the stage isn’t always the easiest feat for the first band of the evening, but with one simple request from Emmy, the patrons converge on the barrier, and it isn’t too long before heads are thrashing, and fists are in the air.

With heavily distorted guitars, grinding bass lines and percussive prowess that hits you straight in the core, The Cutaways prove that the local talent is alive, well and kicking in every sense of the words. Emmy’s vocals are incredible in a live setting, and they bring the whole sound together to make damn sure that everyone knows that the Queensland punk scene is thriving. If you do see The Cutaways on any future bills, get to those shows, you won’t be disappointed.

Dwarves. It’s been a long time between drinks for me seeing this incredible band and I cannot thank Spike and The Gimmes lads enough for bringing them down for this tour to feed my insatiable need for every bit of punk rock goodness. Now, hitting every fan favourite on a set list isn’t the easiest of feats, but fuck me! this was a massive set. 22 songs of pure, unadulterated punk goodness, fed straight to the earholes.

Front man Blag is just as energetic as ever, not only giving the crowd what they want, but also us little old photographers in the pit getting every bit of interaction from such a massive band within the punk scene (hope your glasses didn’t get damaged at all, Justin). Smashing through the massive set, we get treated to so many songs from their illustrious career, Dominator leads off the festivities and soon after their smashing through tracks Let’s Fuck, Speed Demon, Like You Want and the always amazing Lets Just Get High And Fuck Sluts.

It’s certainly not a Dwarves show without them closing the set with We Must Have Blood and Unrepentant. This has been a show for the ages and there isn’t a disappointed person within the walls of Miami Marketta this evening. These guys HAVE to come back soon, it was just too much fun.

Me First and The Gimme Gimmes are just a band that keeps on giving, not only in a musical sense, but also the showmanship that goes into every show. I will NEVER get tired of seeing this band live. As the covers are removed from their back drops, revealing the Mother Superior of Punk Rock Greatness in all her bejewelled glory, The Gimmes lads take the stage adorned in loud shirts, matching pants and lavender neckerchiefs.

What a sight to behold! Cracking straight into the Billy Thorpe classic Most People I Know (Think That I’m Crazy), it’s not long before the World’s Greatest Cover Band gets everyone in the venue moving and grooving to their special brand of punk rock epicness. Following on with Jolene, Dolly would be proud with how much passion they delivered on this track.

Introducing punk royalty for a Paula Abdul song isn’t something you’d expect at any other show, but this is The Gimmes and nothing is of the norm here. CJ Ramone smashes into the grinding bass intro of Straight Up (my favourite cover of theirs) and it’s not long the whole crowd is singing along to this 80’s classic within nanoseconds of Spike kicking it off.

 – GALLERY –