GIG / EP REVIEW: Smokin Mirrors EP Launch by Collin Brophy

Special guests: October Rage (NSW), In Hydes Shadow (NSW), Hidden Ace (NSW) & Freesecks (NSW).

Venue: The Entrance Leagues Club (Central Coast NSW Australia).

Date: Friday 28^th March 2014.

I arrived around 20 minutes before the doors opened and I wasn’t too sure how many people would turn up due to the pouring rain that had been around all afternoon.  Once I started to line up, the crowd started to get in line as well.  It was a very diverse mix of people in the crowd tonight. The line stretched from the venue door all the way out the clubs reception which is around 40-50 meters away.

By the time I got inside, there were around 100 people standing around having a beer and talking to the band members from the bands that were playing tonight. The line up at the bar wasn’t too bad either.  By the time the first band, Freesecks, started there was around 150 people already down the front of the stage, to start what was going to be an awesome night of bands from all areas of the Central Coast.

Freesecks. (Central Coast, NSW)

Genre: Rock, Metal.

Band Members:

Joel "Zooper Dooper" Bruni - Guitar, Backing Vocals, Percussion
Tyson "Can't remember the lyrics" Hodge - Lead Vocals

Rob "Videogames" Helleman - Bass

Micky "Alcohol" Turner - Guitar, Backing Vocals

Kye "Bottle of Water" Clark - Drums, Percussion

Set list: 1. Shine, 2. On Kings Cup, 2. You Know You Want It, 3. Clouds, 4. Rooftops, 5.Done Fighting.

I had never heard of Freesecks before tonight … and what a shame! These guys were brilliant ...  So much energy and they got the crowd worked up. The band, as a whole was amazing, getting into the music and vibe just as much as the crowd was, just what you want from an opening band. I spoke with the vocalist, who is a really cool dude, as are the rest of the guys in the band. They have a demo out at the moment, but are working on bringing out another in the near future. If you like music with great guitar riffs, pounding drum beats, pumping bass and some very amazing vocals, then Freesecks are for you. If you get the chance to see them play then I suggest that you do.

Hidden Ace. (Central Coast, NSW)

Genre: Rock, Funk.

Band Members:

Matty Dalcol - Vocals

Rhyse Aquillina - Bass Guitar

Matt Stalgis - Lead Guitar

Grant Molloy – Drums

Sal Cordero - Keyboard

Set list: 1. Lies, 2. Desires, 3. Her Name was California, 4. Kiss It, Money for the Weekend, 5. Catch me if you can, 6. Heading South.

Yet another band that I had never heard of.  Hidden Ace was just brilliant, with a very charismatic front man / vocalist with some funky dance moves, and an amazing band to back him up.  I really enjoyed Hidden Ace’s set, full of funky rock tunes. Hidden Ace played their own style of Rock/Funk.  I am not usually a fan of this style of music, but there is something fun and original about Hidden Ace that I really like. The crowd really loved these guys.  It’s really hard to describe Hidden Ace, but if you enjoy music as a whole, just to sit back and relax with a cold beer, then these guys are for you. I would definitely recommend that if the chance comes up to see Hidden Ace, then you should give them a listen.  I would love to see them again. 

In Hydes Shadow. (Central Coast, NSW)

Genre: Alternative Rock.

Band Members:

Aaron Smith – Vocals

Jack Marr - Guitars/Vocals

Lachlan Campbell - Bass/Vocals

Jared Lean - Drums/Percussion

Set list: 1. Stale, 2. Insomniatic, 3. Blood red sun, 4. Inception, 5. What it's like, 6. Burn city, 7. In a Hole.

Once again, In Hydes Shadow delivered a high energy and intense set. It was really good to see these guys on a bigger stage, which at times still didn’t seem big enough for the four of them. These guys put one awesome set which the crowd agreed wasn’t long enough. Vocalist Aaron said that this is their last show for a while, as they are going to start recording their new EP to follow up their debut EP Insomniatic. And as usual the band smashed it with some outstanding drumming, pounding bass, really cool riffs. The incredible playing plus Aarons amazing vocals, made this my best In Hydes Shadow show to date. I can’t wait for when they start playing again and especially when they have finished their EP.  When they do the EP launch, I recommend that you get out and see them too.  These guys just better and better!

October Rage. (Central Coast, NSW)

Genre: Rock, Hard Rock.

Band Members:

Nick Roberts - Vocals, Guitar

William Roberts – Bass

Kai Chambers – Drums

John McMullen – Guitars

Set list: 1. Wayside, 2. White Walkers, 3. In the Air Tonight (Phil Collins Cover),  4. Valkyrie, 5. Silver Line, 6. Reign Of Fire.

October Rage blew everyone away.  They had the crowd head-banging and having an awesome time. These guys have so much energy and I swear that these guys can’t stand still for more the 5 seconds. Their set was just amazing and it was so good to see them play on a bigger stage.  At times the stage didn’t seem bigger enough for these guys either. October Rage did a fantastic version of Phil Collins’ “In The Air Tonight”, which had the whole crowd singing along. The drummer went off, the bassist was absolutely sick, and the guitarist/keyboardist has to be seen to believe with some epic guitar riffs and mixing it in with some keyboard playing too, along with the vocalists amazing vocals and his guitar riffs. October Rage are in the process of doing an album which should be out in the not to distant future.  The vocalist said that they will be having an epic album launch, which is gong to be insane. If you can, I highly recommend that you get out and see these guys live. If you like Rock, Hard Rock and Metal, then check October Rage out.

Smokin Mirrors. (Central Coast, NSW)

Genre: Rock, Hard Rock, Metal.

Band Members:

Emmy Mack - Voicebox

Alex Richmond - Lead Guitar

Matt Coleman – Bass

Sam Goldie – Drums

Set list: 1. Long Way To The Top (AC/DC Cover), 2. Kickin' On, 3. Not In My Way, 4.Dead Walk, 5. Rush You (Baby Animals Cover), 6. State Of The Mind, 7. Wasted, 8. The Terminator Theme Song, 9.Set To Ignite, 10. Medley: Welcome To The Jungle (Guns N' Roses), Enter Sandman (Metallica), You Shook Me All Night Long (AC/DC), Kickstart My Heart (Motley Crüe), Rebel Yell (Billy Idol), Sweet Child O' Mine (Guns N' Roses).

 

I have heard of these guys, but I have never heard their music or seen them play live before tonight. Even though I am not a fan of Smokin Mirrors style of music, these guys were really good, with lots of energy and with a very energetic set.  They had the crowd dancing and singing along to some really cool covers and some of their own original music as well. The covers that Smokin Mirrors played were awesome and really well done.  I really enjoyed their whole set.  As this was Smokin Mirrors EP launch, they tore through their set, like it was their last.  Even after they played their last song, there was even a call for one more song, but unfortunately it was late and time to pack up. The very first song they played was an AC/DC cover, “Long Way to the Top”, to which Todd Ridgway from a band, called Thrashed, came out and totally hammered the bagpipes out, which the crowd loved.  If you like Rock, Hard Rock and even some Metal, then check these guys out.  I know I would like to see them again.

By the end of the night, just over 400 people had attended tonight’s show, which is brilliant considering the crap weather outside, with the wind and cold rain. The crowd was appreciative of all the bands that played tonight.  The best thing about attending local shows is that you can stand around and chat, have a cold beer with the band members from all the bands that played, as well as other band members from other bands that were there to enjoy and support the local music scene and meet some really nice people who like and enjoy the music scene too. Over all, it was an outstanding night of some amazing Central Coast bands.  I got to met and chat with some really cool people not just from the bands, but the fans as well and the more I go to my local gigs, the more I learn just how many awesome local bands that are round the Central Coast.

Published by Collin Brophy

CONCERT REVIEW: Ides Of March (Venue: Underground @ The Beachcomber Hotel, Toukley, New South Wales, Australia, 15 March 2014) by Collin Brophy

Venue: Underground @ The Beachcomber Hotel, Toukley, New South Wales Australia

Guest include: October Rage. Rise of Avernus. Troldhaugen. Toehider. Caught Out. Pagans Realm. Apparitions of Null.

I arrived around 15 minutes before the first band played. Wasn’t sure how many people would turn up due to a massive thunder storm around 1.5 hours before the doors opened.  The rain pounded down on my way up to the venue. Quite a few people had arrived before I did which was really good.  A good crowd had turned out by the time Null started playing, and the crowd continued to come in all night.

Apparitions of Null. (Sydney NSW Australia)  

Genre: Progressive/Melodic/Technical Metal

Band Members:

Dale Robinson - all vocals.
Sam Maher - Lead, Rhythm and Acoustic Guitar.
Chris Rosiak - Rhythm, Acoustic and Classical Guitar.
Jamie Harrison Brown - Drums and Percussion.
Dwayne Murray - Bass.

Set list is:

1. Kaleidoscopes.

These guys are brilliant.  If Pink Floyd was a metal band, then this is what they would sound like. The vocalist’s vocal range just amazes me, from harsh death to very soft tones.  The bassist and guitarist are just amazing to watch live, and the drummer well you have to see him live to believe it yourself.  Even though they only played one song which went for around 30 minutes, the crowd that was there loved it and with plenty of loud applause once they finished.  I spoke with the vocalist after their set and he said that they are hoping to have an EP out by June or July. I can’t wait for the EP launch as I would definitely be there for that. Theses guys are for anyone who likes all genres of metal.

Pagans Realm. (Warnervale, Central Coast, NSW, Australia)

Genre: Viking/Pagan Metal

Band Members:

Randall Black - Guitar, Vocals.
Brendan Frame – Vocals.
James Mudd - Bass, Vocals.
Scott Greentree – Drums.

Set list is:

1. The March of the Wolf's Head Bannerman; 2. Battle Star; 3. An Ale to a Winters Sun; 4. Lay My Flesh to the Fire; 5. Tell Your God to Ready for Blood.

Holy crap these guys are bloody awesome! Both the bassist and guitarist were insane as was the drummer.  The vocals from both bassist and guitarist were a perfect fit for the genre of music they play.  The crowd lapped up every song, and the vocalist from Lycanthrope and Pitchfork also lend their talents to a couple of songs with high approval from the crowd and band.  The bassist / vocalist was dressed as a bad ass Viking which looked really cool.  They had a couple of very minor issues during the set, which meant that there was time for some jokes presented by the band and the vocalist from Pitchfork. I spoke with the vocalist after their set and he said that they are hoping to have an EP later this year, and to have EP launch for when it comes out, which I am definitely be going to. If you like Amon Amarth (Sweden) and Turisas (Finland) then give Pagans Realm a listen.  You won’t be disappointed.

Caught Out. (Singleton, Newcastle, NSW, Australia)

Genre: Metalcore

Band Members:

Joshua “Stu” Stewart – Vocals.
Joshua “JC” Childs – Guitar/Vocals.
Anthony "Billy" Mitchell – Guitar.
Buddy “Bud-Lite” Edwards – Drums.

Joshua “BigBird” Sampson – Bass.

Set list is:

1. I'll give you 5; 2. Glassheart; 3. Inception; 4. A shot in the dark (a day to remember cover); 5. Survive; 6. Transform; 7. Worthless.

Usually not a big fan of metalcore, but these guys restored some respect that I lost with this genre, due to the repetitiveness of the whole metalcore genre.  These guys are just plain out and out crazy, jumping all over the place, off the stage and they even got the crowd moving.  The energy these guys displayed was unreal and it was very obvious that the stage wasn’t big enough for all them. I had never heard of these guys before and I had decided to keep an open mind before watching them, and now I am a new fan of these guys. I would recommend these guys to anyone who likes A Day To Remember (USA), Buried In Verona (Aust) and The Ghost Inside (USA).

Toehider. (Melbourne, Vic, Australia)

Genre: Rock

Band Members:

Mike Mills - Guitar and Vocals.
Amy Campbell - Bass and Vocals.
Lachlan Barclay - Guitar and Vocals.
Ricky Evensand – Drums.

Set list iTs:

1. Lie Still; 2. Old Old Old; 3. The most popular girl in school; 4. Ducksuite (Count Duckula, Quaq Quo, Darkwing Duck, Ducktales); 5. Whatever makes you feel superior; 6. Whoa!; 7. Lay Down Mara.

Straight up kick arse rock band.  Usually not into this genre of music but these guys have changed my mind.  The drummer was brilliant, the bassist was as well, whom, by the way is probably the best looking bassist I have seen, and the guitarist was amazing.  They played some sick riffs and guitar solo’s which the crowd loved and the vocalist / guitarist was just incredible. He reminded me a lot of Jack Black with his stage presence, attitude and his whole persona which was truly unique. The crowd gave them a very loud applause at the end of their set. If you love straight up crazy rock, then you will love these guys.

Troldhaugen. (Wollongong, NSW, Australia)

Genre: Wacky Folk (?) Metal

Band Members:

Reventüsk.
Meldengar.
Grädenøk.
Svarog.

Set list is:

1. Troll Gristle Promo spiel; 2. Untitled (new song); 3. Slaughterhouse Swing; 4. Trollbrawl; 5. Untitled (new song); 6.The Final Curtain; 7. Beast Wagon; 8. Swampstomper (+ "Wannabe" - Spice Girls); 9. Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Troll After Midnight); 10. The Circus of Misery.

What can I say about Troldhaugen … except to say that they were totally mind blowing.  They had the crowd eating out of their hands. The vocalist is just brilliant with a huge amount of energy.  He is a very charismatic front man. It felt like being part of a carnival instead of a gig.  The bassist, guitarist, drummer and keyboard player were all down and out remarkable. I saw these guys support Korpiklaani in Sydney last year (2013) and they blew everyone away that night as well. I am so glad I had the chance to see Troldhaugen again. If you are a fan of Korpiklaani (Finland) and Trollgasm (Aust) then you will love these guys.

Rise of Avernus.  (Melbourne, Vic, Australia)

Unfortunately ROA bassist’s Daniel Warrington injured his back which has left him immobilized and unable to perform. We at BUSUK WEBZINE wish Daniel all the best a very speedy recovery.

October Rage. (Central Coast, NSW, Australia)
Genre: Rock

Band Members:
Nick Roberts - Vocals, Guitar.

William Roberts – Bass.
Kai Chambers – Drums.
John Mcmullen – Guitars.

Set list is:
1. Wayside; 2. Two-sided Blade; 3. White Walkers; 4. In The Air Tonight (Phil Collins Cover); 5. Valkyrie; 6. Black Knight / Jam (Deep Purple Cover); 7. Silver Line; 8. Reign Of Fire; 9. Set You Free (Encore).

I had never heard or seen these guys before tonight’s show, but by the end of their set, not only was I a new fan, but the people in the crowd were new fans too. October Rage were unbelievable live, with an incredible amount of energy, the stage was definitely not big enough for these guys. You have to see these guys live to see and feel how powerful their stage presence is. The four guys all complete each other in every way, from insane drumming to sick riffs from both guitarist, and the bassist went completely nuts. The band was into the music just as much as the crowd. You can’t help but to bang your head to their music.  They even did a couple of covers which got everyone pumping.  The riffs from both guitarists had to be seen to be believed.  The crowd wanted more so the band came back and played one more song to finish of what was truly an awesome night of Aussie metal. I am going to catch them again at the end of this month, and it is on a bigger stage which I can’t wait for. If you are a fan of heavy rock, stadium rock anthems and majestic ballads, Audioslave (USA) and The Angels (Aust), then get yourself to their next gig to enjoy the show.

By the time October Rage finished it was around 1230am, and no-one wanted to leave because they were all enjoying themselves and having so much fun, but due to the venue closing we had to leave. Over all, it was a great night, with some truly awesome local bands and some really cool people.  I always enjoy seeing new bands and having a listen to new genres and even genres I wouldn’t normally listen to.  Tonight I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of talent coming up through the ranks and look forward to seeing them again and getting my hands on their music.

Published by Collin Brophy