The Inaugural Perth Rocks Festival promised so much – Fifteen bands, two stages & nearly ten hours of high-quality live music – not only did it deliver but it ticked every one of those boxes and so much more. On Saturday 27th July some of Perth’s top rock bands converged on The Civic Hotel in Inglewood to prove that rock n’ roll certainly isn’t dead. It was an extremely long day if you stayed from beginning to end but well worth it, as each & every band brought something different to the table but the one thing they all had in common was that they continued to raise the bar after each and every performance.
Fourteen of WA’s finest, joined by The Babes from Adelaide who had recently played shows in Japan and, all provided some incredible music on the day, which was also well supported by Perth’s rock fans. Two stages, one in the main band room and the second in the much more intimate ‘Den’ were run with military precision and with a five minute gap between bands & rooms, there was ample time to ‘refuel’ at the bar and take a well-earned toilet break before the short walk between the stages. Events like this need bands to work together so that times don’t slip and one thing that impressed me was that the event stuck tightly to the set times on the timetable provided, which meant none of the bands played over each other so if you wanted to see every minute of every band you could.
The day kicked off at 2.25pm precisely, as opening act Ultra Sound rocked Main Stage with a generous audience who had turned out for when the doors opened. Guitarists Shane Johnstone & Stevie D led the way with some catchy rock numbers to kick the day off with a solid thirty minute, eight song set supported by Steve Langford (Drums) & Dave Cooper (Bass). Set List: Skin Crawl, Easy When You Know How, Don’t Stop, Dead of Night, Double Talkin’ Jive, I Hate People, Cold Day in Hell, Red Light
And so the first of many journeys from Main Stage to The Den began, as audience members trail through the bar to see the second band of the day, Nylon Stroke who opened with a cover of The Beatles classic ‘Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’. The Den is a wonderful room and held a real great vibe all day & night and Nylon Stroke generated plenty of audience participation with lead vocalist Adam Healy, Gregor MacDonald (Guitar) & Matthew Davis (Drums) making sure they made the most of their thirty minutes on stage. Set List: Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, Vigilante, Get Ya Nylons On, What Is Evil?, Tipsy Talk, Nothing Is Easy, Headache
Band of Missfits were next to grace the Main Stage with a fantastic seven-song set which included tracks from their 2018 EP ‘Higher Passage’ as well as an incredible version of Dolly Parton’s ‘Jolene’. Band of Missfits comprise of singer/songwriter Kym Redmond, Melanie Dius (rhythm guitar), Jake Bignell (Lead Guitar), Paul Smith (Drums) & Lee Matheson (Bass).
Set List: Higher Passage, Shot Down, Words of Silk, Nothing At All, Oblivion, Oceans, Jolene, Empty Valley
Although each and every band put in fantastic performances throughout the day, one of the highlights was a band I hadn’t seen before – The Silent Deeds playing The Den, put in a solid high-quality performance and judging by the tightly condensed crowd, they gained a few more followers too. Led by guitarist and vocalist Corey Ranger, the three-piece smashed their way through a wonderful eight-song set which included their latest single ‘The Race’ with Matt Debarro (Bass) & Andy Karalis (Drums) adding to the big sound these guys bring.
Set List: Take It Back, Cross The Line, Come Alive, Here We Go, Soho, Cool Kids, The Race, Down With Me
Sister Switchblade was next up and I was looking forward to their performance, as I had received their fantastic new album in my inbox that very morning. Seven of the eight songs in the set were from the new album ‘Tales & Taboos’, which the band will be showcasing at their album launch night on 3rd August at The Boston in Northbridge. They certainly didn’t disappoint and their wonderful version of Guns n’ Roses ‘Night Train’ made up their thirty minute segment. Sister Switchblade is Andy Smith (guitar & Vocals), Dylan Galant (lead guitar), Simon Brown (Bass) & AJ Bannister (Drums).
Set List: Love Kinda Rusty, Oh Tiana, Bad Little Bitch, Night Train, Share My Disease, Jezebel, The Ace Won’t Wait, Hard Line
Jackson Koke were next to entertain the now bustling crowd in The Den, which had now spilled out in to the adjoining room with lead singer & event organiser Karlifornia Infirri not only had pressure to continue the high level of quality the previous bands had all set, but as the man who had put this all together was keen to keep the momentum building for the artists to follow. An energetic & dynamic set loaded with some fantastic songs meant the band were another to be able to stamp “MISSION ACCOMPLISHED” on their set list as they ended to a huge ovation. Joining Karlifornia was Luke Bignell (rhythm guitar), Jake Bignell (lead guitar) making his second appearance of the day having played earlier with Band of Missfits, Carl Edmunds (drums) & Nil Zahadi (bass).
Set List: Axe To Grind, Cesspool City, We Gotta Move, Ballad Of The Drunk, Easy Street, Hot Blooded Bitch, Hellavator
Around 6pm, as the evening clouds rolled over the Perth skyline, female AC/DC cover band Ballbreaker – Girls Who Play AC/DC took to the Main Stage and being the only ‘cover’ band on the bill it was always going to be a set that would get everybody involved. Kicking off with ‘Livewire’ the girls fired off classics like ‘High Voltage’, ‘Dirty Deeds’ & finishing it off with ‘Whole Lotta Rosie’. Ballbreaker are Kat (Vocals), Selina (rhythm/lead guitar), Krissy (rhythm/lead guitar), Jade (bass) & Lauren (Drums).
Set List: Livewire, High Voltage, She’s Got Balls, Can I Sit Next To You, Walk All Over You, If You Want Blood, Dirty Deeds, Whole Lotta Rosie
Sadly, I missed part of Bunbury based Crash Rat’s set but what parts of the set I did manage to see presented yet another band that kept The Den vibe at its peak with their wonderful sleazy, glam rock with a dusting of punk. I need to see more of this band, who are led by the charismatic OD Winters. Winters oozes just what rock n’ roll is all about – dirty, sleazy, loud & above all damn good fun! Once again they played to a full room and left nothing up on the stage as they powered through a set littered with tracks from their 2018 album ‘Savage Animal’. Crash Rat are OD Winters (vocals/guitar), Taz (drums), Twiggy Fingers (bass), Stevie DeVille (guitar), and Doyle (guitar).
Set List: FiftyOneFifty, Burn The Witch, Understand, Lost Boy, No More, Crooks, Steal Your Love, I Ran, Razorblade Romance, Flatliner
A band that consistently delivers time & time again is Hailmary and as usual they brought they first class ‘A’ game to the table and pushed the festival up another couple of levels with a fantastic nine-song set list with tracks taken from EP’s ‘Evolve Dissolve’ & ‘Navigate the Sunrise’ as well as their 2012 debut album ‘Choice Path Consequence Solution’. By now the Main Stage band room was at its peak, as over 300 rock fans enjoyed Curran & Co kick things off with ‘Wake Up’ as the band played an exquisite set of their heavy rock tunes before finishing with the wonderful ‘Yellow Light of Death’. Kevin Curran (vocals/guitar), Vas Shevtsov (drums), Kiran Wilson (bass) & Billie Kiagoes (guitar/vocals) are a sight and sound to behold when in full flow and were a solid addition to this incredible day.
Set List: Wake Up, Equilibrium, Liar in my Chair, Navigate The Sunrise, Mind Casualty, Prove Me Wrong, Fiction Burns, Adrenaline, Yellow Light Of Death
Another band I whose set I didn’t get to see all of was Legacy of Supremacy but once again by the time I managed to make my way to The Den, I had to watch from the adjacent room such was the crowd they had attracted. I did have eyes and ears in the room who reported the set started brightly with ‘Firefight’ and grew in rock intensity as the four-piece delivered songs mostly from their 2017 release ‘The Morning After’. I arrived three tracks in and left wanting more… always a good sign. Legacy of Supremacy are Jacob Kenny (guitar/vocals), Curtis Sucksmith (guitar/vocals), Owen Fisher (bass/vocals) & Frank Lupino (drums/vocals).
Set List: Firefight, Replay, Let it Go, Goodnight, Mystic Seven, Lucid
I trundled back to the Main Stage wondering how my pedometer was performing & trying to decide if this would equal out the calories of my cider intake for the afternoon/evening but even before I had managed to begin my calculations the immense Ragdoll were striding into the gladiatorial arena to try to wrestle the gauntlet from all that had played before them and did they do a fine job of it too. Opening with ‘Shine’ from their 2016 release ‘Back to Zero’ Ragdoll oozed class & experience as they ran through a fantastic set with Ryan Rafferty (vocals/bass) showing why he ranks as one of the top rock vocalists in Perth. Incredible guitar work from the ever energetic Leon Todd was at times mesmerizing to watch, while drummer Cam Barrett provided the percussion for some for the best power rock of the day. The set was completed with an outstanding performance of the band’s new single ‘Rust’.
Set List: Shine, Tell Me, The World You Gave Us, Love on the Run, Break You, Save Me, Playing God, All I Want, Rust
Before the dust had even settled from Ragdoll’s set The Caballeros were doing what they do best… causing organised mayhem. Lead vocalist Jake ‘Dr Green’ England was amongst the bustling crowd demanding they follow him to watch The Caballeros in The Den and like hypnotised sheep we followed to watch one of the few bands that give a 4D live experience. Watching The Caballeros should come with a health warning, as all four of your senses are required – touch, taste, smell & hearing. If any of these aren’t working, then they will kick start it with a chainsaw and for me are worth the entrance money alone, with their energetic and wonderful old school rock n’ roll with a twist.
Sound techs were running around frantically as amps shut down and smoke machines were working overtime as the crowd rocked & bounced to this fun-loving five-piece group (one was missing – they are normally a six-piece). These were my highlight band of the day because when I left the room thirty minutes later I still couldn’t actually believe what I had just witnessed – and this is the second time I’ve seen them! Outstanding! The Caballeros are Jake “Dr Green” England, Jason Miroševic, Paul Bovenkerk, Nick Dudman & Lukas Murphy.
Set List: Gimme Love, Want Me to Go, Julie of Broken Hearts, Call the Doctor, Keys to the City, Bo Diddley, I’ll Make You Happy (Easybeats cover), The Caballeros Twist, Lovesick Casanova
It’s always nice to have a guest band at an event like this and Adelaide based ‘Underdog Rockers’ The Babes didn’t disappoint in the slightest. Having arrived from South Australia on a maximum of two hours sleep, The Babes could have been excused if they had stayed in their rooms until show time. But this was not to be the case, as they mingled and chatted with fans & fellow musicians throughout the festival and were the icing on an unbelievable rock cake of a day. Having been able to sit and chat with the band, I knew how excited they were to be invited to WA and play this event and at 9.55pm The Babes unleashed their set on a packed Main Stage room and for all that were there, it will be a set to remember, as they ran through the full show they had played on their recent dates in Japan.
The incredible Moni Lashes showed just why she is up there as one of Australia’s best drummers as she played with ferocity & conviction. The stunning Donna D, in her eye-catching KISS hotpants teased and writhed as she winked & smiled throughout, while getting her Flying V to sing to the expectant crowd. Brother Corey Stone towered over his bass as he completed the musical section of this tight-knit family band. Vocalist J.D. swaggered around with stage with confidence as he swigged from his Southern Comfort bottle between songs whilst diving, rolling & flipping to his feet throughout the set. This was hard, heavy & loud and their forty-five minute show whizzed past, as The Babes powered their way through an eleven-song set list that included three tracks from their 2017 EP ‘It Ain’t Easy’, five from the forthcoming album ‘Dive Bars & Muscle Cars’ and three classics from their 2013 debut release ‘Rock n Roll Gang’. If The Babes are appearing at a venue near you, make sure you check them out.
Set List: Rock n Roll Gang, Ride It, It Ain’t Easy, Rising Sun, Full Throttle, Down n Out, Doghouse, Dive Bars & Muscle Cars, Working Sucker, Bad News, Got No Soul
It was at this point in the proceedings that I had wished I had brought ear plugs but with just two bands to go I knew the damage was already done as I sauntered back to The Den (surely I’m pushing 8000 steps by now – not bad). Amberdown were another of the bands that I hadn’t seen before and even though it had been an extremely long afternoon/evening, they were supported by another great crowd for the penultimate set of the day. With influences ranging from Foo Fighters, Pearl Jam & Incubus, Amberdown play hard rock with damn catchy riffs as they fired their way through a seven-song set. Set List: Shattered & Bagged, Say You Will, Casey ll, Israel son (Silverchair Cover), Hole in the Flaw, Lifeless, Disaster
The Volcanics had the honour of closing the day and for those who managed to make it to the end of almost ten hours of continuous live music were treated to yet another band who have built up a reputation for leaving it all up on the stage with their energetic rock n’ roll fuelled performances. Playing tracks taken from their four album back catalogue, well as a few teasers from their forthcoming release ‘Black Door’, The Volcanics were an incredibly fitting end to an outstanding day as they rocked their way through their electrifying set. The Volcanics are Johnny Phatouros (vocals), Tommy Hopkins (guitar), Greg Hitchcock (guitar), Levi Caddy (bass) and Alex Megaw (drums). Set List: If I’m Shakin’, Ladder of Lies, Underground, Talk, 2000 Years Ago, Eyes, Changes On My Mind, 3, In My Town, Transmission, Black Door, Baby Soul
Perth rock fans showed that the WA needs and wants a Perth Rocks Festival and that they will support such an event in the future. A huge congratulations need to be passed on the organisers Karl Infirri & Matt Hatton for their smooth & successful running of this festival but also to all the bands, most of whom stayed around all day to continually support their musical brothers & sisters. You are all a credit to Perth music. And The Babes? Well I have a feeling they have been adopted as one of WA’s own now.
All I want to know now is when are pre-sale tickets available for Perth Rocks Festival 2020?!?
PHOTO GALLERY
All Photos by Adrian Thomson
The Volcanics, Amberdown, The Babes
The Caballeros, Ragdoll, Legacy Of Supremacy
Hailmary, Crash Rat, Ballbreaker
Jackson Koke, Sister Switchblade, The Silent Deeds, Band Of Missfits, Nylon Stroke
