Reviewed on Friday November 1
“Greetings! We’ve got a new album out but we’re gonna play some new ones and a shitload of old ones eh…” Bodyjar had taken the stage at Sydney’s Hi-Fi and lead singer Cameron Baines knew just what the crowd wanted to hear. Everyone was stoked for a night of ’90s throwback punk rock and old-school ska.
Melbourne trio The Sinking Teeth opened the gig, kicking things off with some punk metal tunes from their recently released EP White Water. Playing a solid set including ‘Carcass’ and ‘Tongues’, the boys rocked the stage even though the crowd was sparse and the night young. Before closing the set with current single ‘Temporary Living’, vocalist Julian Doan hollered praise to headliners Bodyjar: “These guys are fucking rad.”
In keeping with the punk rock theme, Tassie five-piece Luca Brasi followed with some fun ska sounds. The floor of the Hi-Fi was slowly filling and energy levels rising as the band played boisterous tunes including ‘Southbound’ and ‘Viva Tassie Cabrones’.
After several years’ hiatus from the music world, Bodyjar opened their Sydney comeback with the new album’s title track, ‘Role Model’. As promised, the iconic punk rockers mixed it up, playing a quality selection of old and new. “We’re stoked to be back playing gigs again, guys,” Baines announced before jumping into ‘Not The Same’. “Thanks for sticking by us.”
While the crowd took to the new songs, jumping, singing and getting their ska on, it was obvious most were there for the familiar and fun punk tunes that the Aussie legends are famed for. From ‘Remote Controller’ to ‘Fairytales’, ‘Underwater’ and ‘Is It A Lie?’, the guys rocked the venue, proving that while they might be a little older, they’ve sure as hell still got it.
BY JULIENNE GILLET
