The Virgins
The Casanovas
Killer Klowns
Tote Hotel, Melbourne
March 16, 2002
By SIMON LI
It might come as no surprise to some readers that this live review is written
about a show in Melbourne, by an ex-Melbournian/now Sydneysider. Particularly
considering (a) there was not much rock action in Sydney that weekend and (b)
having been aware of the band lineup for this show, it seemed as though this
reviewer had to see it.
To open the evening were Sydney's always somehow underrated The Killer Klowns.
Opening with "Roulette Time", they continued to pummel through a fine
set of well played punk rock-n-roll in the tradition of The Ramones, Electric
Frankenstein and Radio Birdman.
Singer
Paul O' Neill didn't take long to make use of the stage and his always enigmatic
vocals would quickly take full effect.
More scorching Killer Klowns penned tunes followed including "Loose",
"Your Dirty Lies" and "Girls are Alright".
Guitarist Darren Trew, seemed to be in pretty good form. Laying down some pretty
loud and mean lead guitar work combined with some rock solid rhythm guitar as
well.
The band reached back to selections from their 'All Mine' CDEP including "Nothing's
Left". This track in particular allowed the rhythm section to really prove
why no other rhythm section pairing of Geoff and Matt are up to providing this
kind of rhythm backing, allowing guitarist Darren Trew the confidence to stride
to his always impressive leads.
Considering this gig was their last of the band's first ever Melbourne tour,
the band should have won some supporters to their punk rock-n-roll cause.
The Casanovas then followed and mixed some 'older' and newer material for one
killer set of glam punk/hard rock.
Running through 'old' faves such as "Hot for You", "Spring Break"
and "Do it one more time", their single "10 outta 10", they
proved clearly that holding the tag of being amongst Melbourne punk rock-n-roll's
NEXT BIG THINGS (alongside 'formerly small town diseased' Geelong lads Warped)
is so rightfully deserved.
Mixed with older tunes were some hard rocking new/newer songs such "Won't
go Down Again", "Baby, Don't you leave me now(?)" and "Damn
Straight".
For The Casanovas, tonight's show was their first gig as a trio, with ex-Red
Shift/Stuntcar Drivers guitarist James 'Fatty' Saunders joining and eventually
departing in 2001.
Guitarist Tommy Love as usual played guitar, the only way he knows how loud
and fast. He was razor sharp, when it came to rhythm guitar work and delivered
some searing, hard rocking lead work, at times second to none.
Closing with AC-DCs "Down Payment Blues", some of the crowd might
have thought they might have seen the best band for the night, when The Casanovas
finished up for tonight.
Judging by the name, some might have thought The Virgins might take the stage
wearing either nappies and/or condoms.But for those more aware of the band and
the personnel of the band, would know the kind of punk rock, heavily influenced
by late 70s/early 80s UK punk and a selection of 70s Australian guitar rock
groups was what the audience should have expected.
This was combined with some down and dirty hard core punk rock with plenty of
inner city attitude and hard living, judging by some of the original Virgins'
tunes like "Up the Duff", "I Pay" and "You Endanger
Us".
For covers the band reached back to Radio Birdman's "i-94", The Saints
"Erotic Neurotic", Lobby Loyde's "Human Being" and The Damned's
"New Rose".
Singer Mark Ivey made crowd well aware, very quickly that those who weren't
interested to "fuck off", despite the fact he'd thanked them for coming
at the same time. The way that bassist Geoff (ex-Sick Things) growled ''Burn"
in their cover of "I-94" was frighteningly real as their guitarist
slashed and burned only a Virgin can, with murderous venom.
On drums was ex-God/Bored/Powder Monkeys/(Melbourne punk rock-n-roll outlaw
number one) Tim Hemensley, who proved the real surprise packet, as he kept the
beat far better than some may have expected.
Gigs like this are not forgotten in a hurry, pity you missed this and might
have decided to listened to an Offspring CD, Something for Kurt or Sliverchair.
