GRINSPOON + Good Boy + Hockey Dad @ Metro City 25/08/17

Grinspoon

Every now and then, along comes a band where their music makes such an impression on you from the very moment you hear them. Then you finally get to see said band live and they just leave you blown away by their attitude, their sound, their very performance itself and they immediately become one of your favourite bands. So when they announce their 20^th anniversary tour, you have so many mixed feelings. Will they be just as good as when you first saw them? Will they be better? Will they have that same energy that you fell in love with back in the day? When we ALL had that much energy.

For most of the crowd at Metro City on Friday night, those questions were about to be answered as Aussie rock legends Grinspoon were back from their hiatus to tour the album that started it all – Guide To Better Living.

Good Boy

It was a sold out show and Brisbane lads, Good Boy, had the honour of opening the night with songs SOGK, Your Mum’s Your Dad and Green Dress. “Feeling warmed up yet?” Lead Singer Tom Lindeman asked. “We’re gonna slow it down for a second!” as they played Millie.

“Cheers az! You’ve been a very hospitable crowd!” Lindeman said as they finished their set with Fishing With A Shotgun and Poverty Line. “Give us a like on Facebook or fucking whatever!”

Hockey Dad

Hockey Dad were next on stage and opened up with Can’t Have Them, Beach House and Homely Feeling amongst others. “There’s a fucking few of you out there! Welcome to the Thunder Dome!” Lead singer Zach Stevenson said. “Is everyone drunk enough yet? I hope so! It’s fucking Grinspoon!”

They finished their set with I Need A Woman (“This one goes out to all the beautiful ladies out there tonight!”), Sweet Release (where drummer Billy Fleming got to show off his voice), My Stride and So Tired.

While both bands were entertaining and talented, the mostly older crowd was clearly waiting for Grinners to take the stage and play the album that they had grown up listening to. Some of the songs had never been performed live prior to this tour so the excitement was high.

Grinspoon

From the minute Grinners took the stage with Pressure Tested 1984, Boundary and Dcx3, the mosh pit was writhing, bodies were surfing and everyone singing all the lyrics as Metro City was transported back in time to 1997.

While Phil Jamieson looked exhausted, he did not let that stop him as he ran back and forth across the stage, jumped up on to the speakers and danced in only the way that the Jamieson of old would dance – with so much angsty attitude, confidence and arrogance that in anyone else, would only server to turn you off the band. It was in that moment that the older fans breathed a sigh of relief. Grinspoon were back and we were finally hearing Sickfest live for the first time in forever.

“Perth Metro City! We’re back!! Thank you for coming out tonight!” Jamieson said. “We are back on tour because 20 years ago we released a record – our first record!” As expected, Pedestrian, Just Ace and Post Enebriated Anxiety went right off and the security guards overworked as they caught the crowdsurfers coming over the barrier.

Grinspoon

“We’ve been coming to Perth for the last 20 years. We want to thank each and everyone of you for your support over the years! This song is for all of you.” Pat Davern said as they played Don’t Go Away.

They left the stage after Truk and Jamieson came back out after a quick costume change and played the hidden track Protest on the bar with his acoustic guitar.

Once Jamieson got back on stage, they went straight into Chemical Heart and Lost Control. “Perth! Are you ready? Perth! Are you fucking ready?” Jamieson screamed before making the dig that Dunsborough was louder and then breaking out into a grin as everyone screamed as loud as they could. They were Ready 1.

Grinners ended the set with No Reason, 1000 Miles, Hard Act To Follow and More Than You Are. “You have been the best audience of the whole tour! You win the prize!” Jamieson said as the band gathered around. “It’s been an absolute pleasure!” They took a bow before walking off stage.

Grinspoon

So how was the show? Was Grinspoon just as good as they were 20 years ago? Did the whole night meet everyone’s expectations? Well you didn’t need to look past the old-school mosh pit, the massive grins on everyone’s faces as they left the show, the many sore necks that people would wake up with and the feeling of satisfaction that everyone had about them to know the answers. So thank you Grinspoon for giving us the best 20^th anniversary present that we could have ever hoped for. You brought us back to a time of no responsibility, of great music and even better memories.

Now, the only questions left unanswered as of yet are: Did this tour re-awaken the passion in Grinspoon and when will we have new Grinspoon songs? We hope the sold out shows across the country, the passion that they clearly showed on stage and the love that we have for them means that they will return again and again for another Rock Show.