Project Description

SWIM TEAM + LAZERTITS

@ THE MILK FACTORY (Live Review)

7.01.18

Reviewer: Alexandra Ainsworth

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The cosy stage room in Brisbane’s Milk Factory is buzzing ahead of sets from power duo Swim Team and Lazertits on a Sunday afternoon. The room comfortable holds the small crowd and gives everyone a chance to get up close and personal with the local Melbourne legends.

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Swim Team are first up on the blocks, their jangly guitars and deep bass quick to fill the space. The band don’t hold back on the vocals, and their lively energy is well received by the crowd, who leap straight into dancing as much as the small space allows. It’s obvious that the four-piece are having fun during their set: the whole casualness of the Sunday sesh bringing a stereotypically relaxed vibe to the balmy Brisbane afternoon. Tracks like the recently released Positively Hopeless and You Don’t Know are fan favourites. It’s almost hard to tell, however, with the songs as well received by the crowd as the ones that surround it.

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Swim Team present a short and sweet set, one that has the room buzzing for the next band of the afternoon. It’s a quick change before Lazertits have taken over the stage, the five-piece making casual banter before launching into their fast-paced ‘bratpunk’ tracks. With songs titles ranging from Gender Studies to Nice Guys, there was never a chance that the set was going to be filled with anything but pure feminist power. That’s not to say, however, that Lazertits are stereotypically aggressive punks. In fact, they’re quite the opposite: their in-between song banter gives you an insight into how close these girls are as both bandmates and best friends. They aren’t afraid to stick up for themselves and for others, and as cliché as it sounds, it’s a trait that is hard to find in the male and money dominated world of music.

The setlist includes tracks such as Crying At The Tote and Dirty Brown Couch that show a softer side to the girls, one that proves that there’s much more to Lazertits than meets the eye. While they’re primarily known for calling out the patriarchy, they also make pretty decent vegan milkshakes, enjoy the occasional spot of Mercer Valley (don’t we all?), and make up one of the best damn bands around. It’s a reassuring thought to hold on to as their set ends way too quickly, but the band pull up Swim Team for their final track, M8house, which is a gloriously trashy and punky outro to cap off a great gig.

Both Swim Team and Lazertits seem to be a rarity these days. They’re not afraid of looking uncool, unfeminine, or unhappy. They’re making unapologetic music for themselves and their friends about shared experiences and values that are both comforting and contentious. And if you so happen to like it, well, then that’s cool too.

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Follow LAZERTITS

Website          Facebook          Twitter          Instagram

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Follow SWIM TEAM

Website          Facebook         Instagram

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