As if last night's Oz Rock Fest 2 show with the headlining Powder Monkeys (augmented by Bored!) wasn't enough rock action to keep everyone happy for the longest of weekends, today there was to be a brief reprise with the Powder Monkeys doing a freebie at the Whammo! store (formerly Waterfront) in the city. And as if that isn't enough of a bargain in itself, Asteroid B612 would also playing for the same low price. Since front man John Spittles (aka Johnny Casino) is off to the USA shortly, one last chance to see the 'roids on their own would be worth the trip into town; as part of such a double act, missing this show is not to be contemplated.

I arrive just on the advertised starting time, but clearly the action hasn't commenced yet. In fact, most of the members of Asteroid B612

are sitting on the front steps drinking beer. As they are prone to say in the classics, the air is pregnant with possibilities, so I drift into the shop for a bit of a browse around while I'm waiting.

My impression was that the festivities were scheduled to start at 3pm, but apparently it's 3:30. As that time approaches, the store becomes increasingly congested with rock'n'roll derelicts, some of whom look like they've dragged themselves here direct from last night's show at the Green Square, pausing only for a couple of hours sleep in one of the many public parks on the way.

Once the music starts, apart from the daylight streaming in through the door, you wouldn't have known that this was a free afternoon gig. You certainly would not know it from the way

the 'roids play, which is full throttle. Although acting pretty relaxed as they start up (even offering to do requests), the 'roids still end up doing an impression of drag strip racer, e.g. nought to 90 in a matter of seconds. Some bands are four-on-the-floor, other bands are five-on-the-floor, but I guess you could say that the 'roids are one-on-the-floor; no gradual working your way up through the gears, just slam it into overdrive, foot flat to the boards and no slowing down for corners, school buses or little old ladies crossing the road to do their shopping...

After a while singer Grahame Spittles begins to show the strain of his exertions, but brother Johnny C. is offering him no sympathy, instead gently abusing him for being unfit, the result (it is alleged) of cigarette consumption approaching two packs a day. Meanwhile John plays on like it's not just his guitar that's been plugged into a power socket and the rhythm section provide a platform far more solid than the temporary stage, which appears to have a major weak spot right in front of where Grahame is standing, forcing him to extend his performance to include elements of a balancing act in addition to his vocal gymnastics. Then in a fit of passion he manages to snap the mike stand in half, but there's no stopping now so he carries on with just the top half of the stand, Freddy Mercury style (although the comparison ends there, since Grahame may stride around the stage, but he certainly does not prance).

When the 'roids' set ends, calm descends over the record racks and display cases like the lull between artillery barrages in a war zone. They have definitely won some converts, as the couple in front of me make use of the break to attract the attention of one of the store staff (actually the manager) and purchase a copy of every Asteroid B612 title in stock. The rest of us just stand around, shellshocked.

The Powder Monkeys (John Nolan pictured right) appear to be setting their gear up quickly, under the bleary but watchful of eye of Ashley Thomson (who freely admits afterwards that he hasn't had much sleep since picking up the interstate bands from the airport on Friday), but then their drummer goes missing, so preparations stall. Once they are finally ready, Tim Hemensley announces to the crowd that Asteroid B612 clearly have thrown down the gauntlet to them and that they are prepared to respond to the challenge. Then for the ensuing 40-odd minutes, they proceeded to do just that.

Once again, you wouldn't think this was a free show from the way they are playing. Whenever Tim Hemensley addresses the audience, it's always as "Ladies and Gentlemen", like an old time performer/band leader. He strikes me as someone who understands that showmanship is not just about being the focus of attention and manipulating audience expectations, it's also about having some respect for the audience which comes to see them, regardless of the circumstances.

Like the 'roids, apparently they are unable to get up on stage and give less than everything of which they are capable, which this afternoon even exceeds their performance of the previous night. Maybe overnight they got some refreshing rest, even if Ashley didn't. Whatever its source, their energy looks limitless as they blast the audience against the back wall and it seems like the show only ends because they have to catch a plane back to Melbourne. Ashley's ferrying them out to the airport and then he's off to bed to recuperate. Me, I'm now feeling like I could use a good lie down as well. This rock'n'roll doesn't half take it out of you.

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