LIVE reviews
The Dark Clouds + The Stallers. Link & Pin Woy Woy June 5, 2021
The Stallers! Fuck how rock solid have they become!
Barbed...ballsy...brilliant in every sense.
So much confidence and so much cool. One of southern Sydney’s greatest exports of late.
A kickarse version of Ramones’ Swallow My Pride! Yeah!
Plenty of that old school swagger, with no need for any fancy bells and whistles.
Just straight up rock-solid riffs that leave you battered and bruised in the bestest of ways! A straight down the line assault.
“This is A slow number” decrees head honcho Darren, ahead of a Detroitesque assault that’s anything but.
Catch em.
The Dark Clouds…
Ferocity and then some. Rock and roll powerhouse plus!
They grab your attention in an instant and don’t let it go for a moment.
Theatrical in a sense, with a Brewster bros guitar feel at times…and all at an earth-shattering level of volume.
Relentless blood curdling rock stabs to your heart with each and every song.
And keeping up the Ramones homage, Commando comes off a million bucks.
Intense. Insane. In your face energy that peels the skin and leaves your senses bleeding.
A fucking fistful of dynamite!
Yeah!
Mark Fraser - redbackrock.com
The Dark Clouds-Nick. Image: Mark Fraser
The Stallers-Max. Image Mark Fraser
Dave Favours & The Roadside Ashes, The Tryouts. Link and Pin May 7, 2021
Second time at the Link for The Tryouts. A two piece that dishes up simple, subtle, gentle, raw pop in the most affable of ways.
A cooler than cool rendition of The Dandy Warhols’ Bohemian Like You… and more than a nod to the pop essences of yesteryear.
Guitar and drums. A nowhere to hide honesty.
And a little bit of trivia, drummer Chelsea’s dad was a former stick man with 80s mod poppers, The Introverts.
Dave Favours & The Roadside Ashes are unique in that they so effortlessly blend indie rock, alt country and ragged dusty pop to create their own jangly, roadside flavour.
Fringe country with more than a tad of pop sensibility.
Tonight we cop all the DF classics, such as The Truth Got in The Way, the cruisy pop genius that is There Goes The Neighbourhood, and the catchy as all hell, Part Time.
The Saints’ Just Like Fire Would may have only had the one run through with their new drummer, but comes off sounding pretty damn fine on this Friday evening in the Woy.
A rusty but cool tail ender, ahead of the rollicking, drunken throes of The Girl in the Upstairs Apartment.
And if you haven’t yet got a copy of the awesome Dave Favours & The Roadside Ashes album-Not Your Average Country Band, do yourself the proverbial. It’s out now on Stanley Records.
Mark Fraser- redbackrock.com
Dave Favours. Image: Mark Fraser
The Tryouts. Image: Mark Fraser
Trashed Again , Outer Control. Link and Pin. April 17, 2021
Third time back at the Link, and Outer Control are electricity plus from the outset.
Perfectly popped punk that bounces from wall to wall. So much high energy fun.
Guess that song riff... bloodied fingers galore ...and an energy that’s sheer feel-good frantic.
Happy pills all round!
A little bit Blink... a little bit Bar Stool Preachers...
Tight as... and lovely guys to boot.
Trashed Again. Gutturally great. Insanely ragged punk throes.
Impact plus! So bloody enthralling.
First caught em supporting Cj Ramone a while back and was blown away there and then.
Tonight it’s sheer bleeding energy... plus!
Raw Anglo punk that smashes its way into the Woy Woy night with the jaggedest of edges.
Squealing guitars...crank house back end and shades of the likes of Rancid et al.
Full crowd stage invasion second last song...and chaos is in the house!
A beautiful beast. Love love!
Mark Fraser- redbackrock.com
Trashed Again. Image: Mark Fraser
Outer Control. Image: Mark Fraser
live reviews
The Smart Folk & The Labradogs. Gabba Gabba Hey at Link and Pin, Woy Woy. March 27, 2021
Around 35 or so years ago, The Labradogs released an EP and a single on my Vi-Nil label.
One was produced by Sunnyboys’ Peter Oxley, the other by his brother Jeremy. So you can kind of guess the flavour and the feel of the doggies.
Tonight, it’s 34 years since their last gig and it’s just a little bit exciting to see what they bring.
From the opening throes of As If I Wasn’t Aware, it’s sweet jangly power-pop that has you front and centre at the Vulcan Hotel, circa 1985.
Harmonies a plenty...and a sweetness that’s sugared just enough... with a jangle jangle that’s serrated to perfection.
In the words of XTC’s Andy Partridge, this is pop.
All the A sides and B sides...Suddenly Last Summer...Growing Sane...Get Lonely...
All beautifully timeless pop ditties.
Shake Some Action is the final piece of icing on the cake and what a befitting finale to a stellar comeback.
The Smart Folk lift the pop punch level yet another notch.
Razed pop beauty that unravels so effortlessly.
Jangle meets jagged in the most popnificent of ways. True pop maestros.
Bit of blues harp...plenty of stage dancing (Chris Newton style)... just killer!
Gorgeously soaring riffs that are as relentless as they are fucking catchy.
There’s so much obvious musical heritage in TSF and it’s impossible not to be seduced by their sheer pop wizardry.
One very special night of poparama in the Woy. I’m still smiling!
Mark Fraser-redbackrock.com
Labradogs.
Labradogs
Cousin Betty, Sand Viper. Gabba Gabba Hey, Woy Woy. March 6, 2021.
Sand Viper blew us away a little while ago, and tonight they are back, twice as solid... and then some.
Tighter each encounter...tonight’s set is a sheer energy overload, as those sometimes dark ditties rupture the Saturday evening twilight.
Growling vox... punchy songs...Mack strength backline...the perfect blend.
What a beast!
Cousin Betty! Three shades of mental and an avalanche of fun.
Tonight there’s a good amount of plugs for their new single,Tape Hiss.
Andi Dyson doubling up for the night, and bleeding all over the skins. Now that’s rock n roll!
Words don’t adequately describe the Cousin Betty energy.
Uniquely enthralling.
Frontman Matt Downey swallowed an energiser bunny and a bag of uppers before hitting the stage tonight...me reckons.
Nonsensical tales...killer riffs and just enough psycho to pull it all off.
Taxes and Death. “A song about taxes and death”.
Weddings in Space..electric as all hell... best headliner Ive seen all day!
Frantically fucked up fun! We'll have you guys back any day!
New EP out March 24.
Mark Fraser- redbackrock.com
Sand Viper-Images: Mark Fraser
Sand Viper. Images: Mark Fraser
Lion island and The Not Nots. Link and pin. March 5, 2021
Newcastle’s The Not Nots blend pop and garage guitar so beautifully.
A snap-tight three piece that are engaging from the word go.
“I can tell you’re talking shit cos your mouth is movin’. Just gold.
Catchy 2-3 minute pop punk nuggets that just keep on keeping on.
A slab of The Jam’s Pretty Green comes off sounding more than ok. Too short a set.
The Not Not’s self titled EP is out now and available at the Link and Pin record bar.
Haven’t seen Lion Island for over a year.
Local boys that deliver that perfect Replacement-esque jangle pop in its own irreverently snarled way.
I Had Your Mumma in the Back of my Hummer...perfect.
A song about Val Kilmer called... wait for it..I Hate Val Kilmer. Haha. Funny fucks.
I love melody-riddled serrated pop and Lion Island do it so popnificently well.
Joanie’s on Crak...beautifully barbed slow burner that has ‘hit’ written all over its ragged, wretched hide.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, there is still a very strong Westerberg influence in the Lion Island sound.
And what’s not to love about that?
I Saw The Clash in the Supermarket...vox getting a tad more gravelly...homage plus. Even a touch of Sonic Youth.
Beautifully bedraggled... and so much fun!
Nothing short of awesome. Yep I’m a fan!
Check em out at bandcamp. https://lion-island.bandcamp.com
Mark Fraser - redbackrock.com
Lion Island. Image: Mark Fraser
The Not Nots. Image: Mark Fraser
Head + Heart Feb 20, 2021. Link and Pin, Woy Woy.
Normally a duo, today, Head + Heart are a full combo with a four piece lineup.
Opening with the first single off their new album, I’m Not Afraid is a moving song inspired by a near death experience.
Will I See You In The Morning reflects on the impact of anxiety and suicide...
Sparse...special..slick, moodesque soft rock.
Slick riffs and a forceful set of vox wash over the sadness, and darker lyrical tones.. and it all gels.
A beautiful, fragile sadness...
Three songs in and I’m drained.
The tale of a dead violin teacher...Kip. The moods are sombre, but the songs are so effortlessly engaging.
Shit, it all just hits ya deep in the soft parts.
Writing songs in graveyards... stop it!
Bullying...and revenge. And the power it brings!
Professional to a tee. I’m a fan!
Single out now. Album out real soon.
Mark Fraser-redbackrock.com
Head + Heart. Images: MarkFraser
Head + Heart. Images: Mark Fraser
Owen Guns, Drugs in Sport. Gabba Gabba Hey @ Link and Pin.Woy Woy. February 13, 2021
Fricken PA decides to shit itself second song into Drugs In Sport’s set. Ma from Guns soon has it sorted, and we’re back on track.
Beautiful pop sensibilities are what Drugs In Sport are all about.
Catchy riffs... perfect pop throes...pure bliss!
Straight from opening up the Thrashville festival up Hunter way, DIS are suitably primed.
With ex Muzzy Pep honcho Errol up front, it’s an instantly addictive sound that fills the inside aisles of Link and Pin tonight.
Serious cosmic shit!
And despite the earlier sound adversities, they punch out one infectious, slickly polished set.
True professionals and roud ppurveyors of that perfect, guitar jangled pop sound.
Owen Guns...a total rumble in the jungle.
The killer ratatat of Cheeto Hitler...rapido punkestry plus.
Beautiful irreverence wrapped snuggly in a cloak of ‘don’t give a fuck-itis’...
Sean’s forever menacing presence.
Brutal sounds that just keep erupting in their own angry way.
Political stabs that know no boundaries... cos that’s how it should be..
Fuck cyclists. Fuck stoopid people. Fuck oppression.
“Shut the fuck up...”
Attitude plus, with the balls and the beats to back it up!
Owen Guns new single Sick is out now on all digital platforms.
Mark Fraser-redbackrock.com
Owen Guns. Image: Mark Fraser.
Drugs in Sport. Image: Mark Fraser
I Hate People, The Grounds. Link and Pin, Woy Woy. Feb 12, 2021
The Grounds kick off tonight with an aural assault that hits you right smack in the face and doesn’t let up for a second.
Raw, guttural vox...guitars that burn into the early night and a drilling sound that’s as chunky as a fresh bowl of PAL.
Some nice dynamics with some slick lead breaks keep it interesting.
Another great Newie export.
I Hate People. Just wow!
They don't give a shit... love to offend, and pack it up beautifully in the most brutal kickarse triple punch this week!
Fuck religion. Fuck Government. Fuck people.
Rebel Yell! WTF? Suitably savaged.
And with a final kicker in Monty Python’s Always Look on The Bright Side of Life.. you know there’s some serious tongue-in -cheek in there amongst the vitriol.
Fuck, what a band. Beautifully inappropriate!
Mark Fraser-redbackrock.com
I Hate People. Image -Mark Fraser
The Grounds. Image- Mark Fraser
Tshitaki , Sand Viper. Gabba Gabba Hey, Woy Woy. February 5, 2021
From kick-butt solid rock lords through to moody rock stalwarts... that’s what you get from central coast’s own Sand Viper.
Self confessed stoner rockers, their sound is slicker than Elvis’s quiff and rock solid to boot.
Airing their debut EP, we cop the beautifully mental Insane Love...the intense airs of Think About it...and the garage cranker that is I Want It.
Fox's dark emphatic vox, that solid rock backbeat...suiting the beer garden crowd perfectly, SV are as tight as the proverbial, and kickarse from the word go.
And man, can Andi hammer those skins!
Tshitaki. Words are not enough.
Guttural raw power in every sense.
Their Northern Beaches, three way sheer carnage, drills into you like you won’t believe.
Faaark what a mighty beast!
The only other Oz bands that have come close to such intensity, would be Nunchukka Superfly amd the mighty Mark of Cain.
Tshitaki sit proudly on that same echelon.
Just wow! Mind blown!
Their equally killer album- World Keeps Turning - is out now.
Mark Fraser- redbackrock.com
Tshitaki. Image: Mark Fraser
Sand Viper.Image: Mark Fraser
Jupiter 5, The Stallers. Gabba Gabba Hey, Woy Woy. January 30, 2021
The Stallers hail from south of Sydney, and after a lengthy stint between rehearsals, they’ve travelled up to Woy Woy tonight for their very first gig.
Delivering their own brand of garage punk to a sold out crowd, theirs is a perfectly oiled machine that’s engaging from the word go.
Sometimes frantic...at times retro...always rock solid.
The perfect opener to Jupiter 5... a bunch of guys I have known forever, and at some time or other, have managed half of them in various guises.
From the blazing guitar throttled airs of Minnesota Strip...through to the extended distorto frenzy of Outta My Way, Jupiter 5 deliver tenfold on all fronts.
Savaged guitars...throttling bass... incisive back beat and Jay’s astral, outer world facials... all go together to paint the perfectly pained picture of well organised chaos, that showcases the decades of musical prowess that’s on show tonight.
No pretense, just kickarse (sometimes) Detroit tinged rock of the most professional ilk.
Riveting!
And thanks for the sound enhancement, Pete... nailed it.
PS. Enjoyed the few thousand catch-up beers at the old pub after the show too. Hurt like hell next day!
Jupiter 5 debut release out soon.
Mark Fraser- redbackrock.com
Jupiter 5. Image: Mark Fraser
The Stallers. Image: Mark Fraser
RUST, The Bleeding Caterpillars, Froth Dogs . Gabba Gabba Hey, Woy Woy, Jan 26
38 degrees and not a breath of wind. Tinnies on ice. Burgers in abundance and a full house in the Gabba Gabba Hey beer garden.
If it’s loud gnarly fun you’re after, then the mighty Froth Dogs are the perfect kick-start to today’s Oz Day lineup.
Heaps of fun.
Froth Dogs sport a three way razored edge that pumps out perfectly irreverent tales of meat pies and dog shit.
Sweaty blitzkrieg beauty at its best.
What a set.
Fellow locals, The Bleeding Caterpillars are virtually the GGH house band. We love having them back.
We can’t get enough of them, and today, they are totally smashing that noisy punk cool they do so well.
Razored. Raucous. Roudy.
Sharing the vox, snarling the guitars... and keeping it foot to the floor all the way.
Fast furious fun.
With those summer beers doing a number on the crowd, RUST hit the stage and hook straight into that thumparama punk they do so well.
Sheer raw energy on all fronts, it’s not hard to see why they are considered true urban legends.
Oz to the core and one powerful rock unit to boot.
A new guitarist in the mix, and it’s a whole other level of thrash today.
Tight. Incisive. Electricity plus.
Punk runs through the veins of frontman GC, and the conviction and sheer ferocity in his delivery is second to none.
One enthrallingly visual and aural treat on all fronts.
Mark Fraser- redbackrock.com
The Bleeding Caterpillars. Image Mark Fraser
Froth Dogs. Image: Mark Fraser
Georgie Fahey Band. Gabba Gabba Hey @ Link and Pin, Woy Woy. January 15, 2021.
Kicking off with the emphatic new single Good Days, it's blatantly clear that these guys have done their collective homework.
Tight as, from the outset... catchy guitar powered riffs and a solid punch that’s way beyond their collaborative young years.
Soldier is a little darker, as it builds and falls in its own subtle sombre way.
The eerie slow wash of On Fire...hypnotic through and through...
And then there's the epic airs of The Villain. Jesus Christ, what a beast of a song...all seven driving minutes of it. Just mesmeric in every sense.
With a surprise rendition of Ramones’ Blitzkrieg Bop (vox courtesy of Mr Adam B.) to put the final icing on the cake (thanks guys), what’s not to love?
A rock solid back end. Scorching guitars ...and those sultry, edgy vox.
And this was the very first gig in front of a live audience (and a full house at that).
Are you shitting me? Something special!
Catch Georgie FAHEY Band back at Link and Pin (Gabba Gabba Hey) March 26.
Check out their stuff on all digital platforms. Their vids are something else! JD you are a freak!
Mark Fraser- redbackrock.com
GFB. Images: Mark Fraser
GFB. Images: Mark Fraser
Niamh Watson. Sat Jan 9, Link and Pin Woy Woy.
A lazy Saturday arvo sesh in the beer garden. The perfect cure to last night's ragged punk fest.
A voice that’s as pure as silk and hauntingly engaging in an instant. That's Niamh Watson's forte.
Left My Heart On Your Doorstep...gorgeous, and sadly beautiful to the very core.
The One...starts out all Marcy Playground like and then unravels it’s insightful yet sad tale.
A soft wafting, hypnotic melody that creeps right on into the deep corners of your soul. Special!
The Covid inspired I’ve Lost Me...a whole new level of beautiful sadness.
Those sometimes soaring vox... simple guitar... a perfect balance.
Mixed Signals... stripped bare. (Search for the full produced version on Spotify or YouTube). Mesmeric!
The sweet honeyed, soft wash of latest single Sugar...
A spatter of well adapted covers, but it’s those originals that shine through.
Solo singers are a dime a dozen, but every now and then someone comes along and stands out heads and shoulders above the rest.
And so it is with Niamh Watson.
A voice beyond her age. Songwriting skills that could take the world stage and a humble aura that makes her young, soul wrenching, seductive sounds even more alluring.
Huge things ahead.
Mark Fraser - redbackrock.com
Niamh Watson. Images: Mark Fraser
Niamh Watson. Images: Mark Fraser
Space Boozzies, Outer Control. Gabba Gabba Hey @ Link and Pin Woy Woy, January 8, 2021
Two parts Newcastle and one part Umina, Outer Control are a trio who punch out the perfect blend of pop and punk.
So-Cal skater punk that bounces from wall to wall in its own sweetly serrated way.
Think One Dollar Short meets Blink 182... meets Green Day...and you kind of get the picture.
Energy plus... that 90s half pipe sk8er punk look...and a lot of fun to boot.
Space Boozzies tread a dirgier trail with scorched guitar, guttural vox and a swamp- etched backbeat rumble.
Songs about Livin’ up the Coast, Chew Chew bars and backyard barbies.
Surf n Turf's surf punk throes.
The Woy Woy dedicated Snake Charmer...the erratic thump of Man on the Moon...the infectious Space Boozzies Malfunction.
Frenzied fun from go to woe.
The new Space Boozzies album Livin’ Up The Coast is out now on Outtaspace Records and available at Link and Pin’s new record bar.
Mark Fraser- redbackrock.com
Space Boozzies; Image Mark Fraser
Outer Control : Image Mark Fraser