KLONDIKE'S DOGS
CRYSTAL CYLINDERS
WILD WEAZELS
@ Sydney Harbour
Friday, February 23, 2001

Crusing around Sydney Harbour and drinking beers on a Friday night, listening to a bit of rock 'n' roll didn't sound too bad in my books so I went to this, an annual party on the water for a group of legal types, featuring ex-Radio Birdman/Hitmen guitarist Chris "Klondike" Masuak as the headliner.

I arrived at the wharf at around 7.40pm with quite a few punters eager to get on board. When the boat docked, I happily walked on and headed straight for the bar. My mate suggested that it would be a good idea to stock up quickly so a three-can round each was taken. I can't say the boat was sold out but certainly there were around 80 people or maybe more.

First up were the Crystal Cylinders who played about 30 minutes of bluesy, rocky covers and were OK for having a few beers to.Most of the people were upstairs so the band were basically a stereo system for everyone. They are a three-piece band with the guitarist doing the vocal duties. After they had finished there was a 20-minute break before the Wild Weazels hit the stage.

Going downstairs to checkout the band I soon realised that the Wild Weazels were the Crystal Cylinders but this time another guitarist and a singer were added. The band play once a year but have a fun setlist of NY Dolls, Dictators, Trashmen and Radio Birdman covers. All in all, it was quite cool in my mind and I enjoyed it. They even play "Runaway" by Del Shannon. I can't say they blew me away but a mix of VB cans topped with a fireworks show on the water made for a fun set of rock 'n' roll.

And now for tonight's headliner. Masuak's Dogs, as far as I knew, would be the Juke Savages but it wasn't to be. They arrived on stage as a four piece with Masuak doing the vocal duties.The two-guitar line-up, I thought, would be awesome but you couldn't hear the other guy play a note as Masuak had a stack whereas his offsider had a little combo amp.

Anyway they kicked into gear with "The Party Starts Now" (by Manitoba's Wild Kingdom) which was great and then continued into "Burn My Eye". How could you complain? A version of "Rock 'n' Roll Soldiers" was on offer when The Wild Weazels' singer decided the song needed a few more harmonies so up he stepped up to the stage. With mic now in hand he sang along much to Chris's delight (NOT!). When the song ended the microphone and cord were quickly removed and handed to the sound mixer. So much for my ambitions to sing along with a couple of Birdman tunes!!

Atmosphere wise, the place was pretty quiet with most people staying upstairs enjoying the outdoors and music coming up from below. Masuak however soldiered on with some more classic tunes like BOC's "The Red and The Black" and Birdman's "Aloha Steve and Danno". The promise of "City Slang" as an encore made me hang around and so I waited patiently as the last few tunes were cranked out.

By now, the VB consumption had turned into bourbon so I decided to seize my chance of fame. I heard Masuak break into the opening chords of "New Race" so up to the stage I ran. I quickly started screaming out "Yeah Hup!" and the smallish crowd responded. Chris said nothing and let me stay on stage and away we went. The song finished and I dived off onto the floor and headed for the bar awating the final "City Slang". Sorry to disappoint everyone but there was no "City Slang", just a small blues number at the end. I stood there in amazement but couldn't figure out why he chose that to finish.

Overall the band were OK but people were only really looking at one person. The only other player who stood out was the drummer who I thought was red hot. All in all the night was pretty tame but I think everyone enjoyed their night out on the harbour!!!
- Greg "Birdman" Bowen