3 June 2023 – Sandstone Point Hotel, Bribie Island – words by Bec Lee – pictures by Bec Harbour
An unexpected Split Enz cover, an early 90s band who rarely tours, some hometown memories, an exquisite set by an underrated band, and a blistering one hour of pure rock from a band whose drummer sings most of the songs. All amongst a waterfront setting opposite an island, with palm trees swaying in the wind, a vegan food van and massive pub with open doors, adequate seating and beautiful views of the stage and the water. Others may have a slightly different take on it, but this is how I choose to summarise my Saturday 3 June.
This was always going to be a massive day, and some have peaked a little early. It’s sunny and mild even though it’s now officially winter, so it’s understandable that festival goers want to drink and soak up the vibe. The setting is beautiful, the pub is massive, with an abundance of outdoor space and indoor areas opened so you can see the stage.
As 1.30 comes around, the first band bounces on stage after MC Lindsay (The Doctor) McDougall’s slightly awkward intro. It’s still a modest crowd in terms of numbers, as some have obviously chosen to turn up later. Brisbane locals Screamfeeder give us 30 minutes of their best indie-pop-rock, sometimes reminding us of The Pixies with female harmonies supplied by Kellie. I remember seeing them many times back in 90s Brisbane and I can honestly say they sound just as good. They’ve been together ’91 and as their website says “Yeah it’s a long time; too late to stop now.”
Speaking of early 90s and still sounding good, Melbourne pop punk lads Bodyjar barely stopped playing and recording as they took their career right up to 2009 before disbanding, reuniting a few years later. They offer us 30 mins of old, and a little bit of newer material and a duet with Adalita. A nice mix, and they’re perfect for warming up the crowd, which is steadily growing.
Lindsay McDougall is not only our MC today, but he’s also here with his band Frenzal Rhomb. They burst onto the stage with their energetic, punky, heavy guitar style and true to form, these guys can’t stay still. There are a few issues with The Doctor’s guitar at some point, it doesn’t seem to be plugged in, which results in some on-stage banter between himself and singer Jason Whalley. They swear, their songs are often crude, and they really get the crowd going in this 45-minute set. The drinks are flowing, it’s now 4pm and it’s almost time for…..
Shihad. Our friends from across the water, and a band I know I have seen a few times, but I can’t remember where or when. Regular visitors to Australia all through the 90s and beyond, this Wellington band are not an act to forget. A quick look into their history reveals that they were NZ chart-toppers on multiple occasions, during a timeline that spans over 20 years, and they’ve won numerous music awards in their home country. They’ve also been nominated for 4 ARIA awards, as recent as 2022.
Imagine my surprise when this heavy rock band, influenced by ACDC and Metallica, suddenly start playing the opening guitar notes of the Split Enz song ‘I Got You’. And it is the BEST cover of that song I have ever heard. A homage to their home country and one of its best exports, they actually released this as a single in 2020. I like Shihad a whole lot more now.
We get a few more gems, including a couple from 1999’s The General Electric album. Then it’s all over, way too quick!
Geelong’s finest, Magic Dirt are standout this evening. Another band I have seen many times, I have come to appreciate them more. Singer Adalita is force to be reckoned with and has barely aged. On a personal note, I went to school with her in Geelong, she was 2 years older than me and I was in her sister’s class. Who knew she’d end up being this cool-as kickass rock chick?
These days, there is none of original line-up left (apart from Adalita), but it goes unnoticed, as Adalita is a star that burns bright. The crowd is massive by now, it’s dark outside and everyone is pumped.
Ratcat casually arrive on stage and soon the bass player (Nic Dalton) is having sound issues, so singer/guitarist Simon Day plays an incredible instrumental. We are reminded how good this guy is on guitar, as our minds can only go back so far if we haven’t listened to this band for decades. Well, I haven’t. I had all their albums, but I’d forgotten they actually formed in 1987 and had releases then. Most of us were introduced to Ratcat via their 1990 EP Tingles. I can still remember the cover of the cassette of this. Aaahhh the memories!
We are treated to all of the singles and a lot of album/EP tracks (I love 1989’s ‘Go Go’ and I’m soooo happy to hear it live), but the 2 “big ones” are left until last. ‘Don’t Go Now’ and ‘That Aint Bad’ (joined onstage by Screamfeeder’s Tim Steward) cause every 50-year-old in the crowd to transport back to 1990, when being 17 meant finding out about new bands on Triple J or ZZZ, not from the internet or Spotify.
Well, that was nice. Now for some late 90s. Eskimo Joe are a cracking band. Underrated as well. For almost an hour, they play us a nicely hand-picked set of material from 1997 until 2020. Kav Temperley’s vocals are so good, it’s almost like the recordings. Everyone is dancing, from the front right up into the inside of the pub, which is designed so everyone can pretty much see the stage from seated areas. Eskimo Joe leave us with massive smiles, as they end their 50 minute set with ‘Black Fingernails, Red Wine’ from 2006, and 1998’s ‘Sweater Song’ … “I could never wear that sweater”! I forgot that was an early track of theirs. I now remember watching them perform it on the ABC’s ‘Recovery’ all those years ago. They really turned into a fantastic band, and thankfully they’re still around.
Finishing off this amazing day is Spiderbait, another band I have seen a million times. With the original line-up and a lead singer on drums, they do not disappoint. Hearing them live again, one is reminded of their heavy rock sound, sometimes a bit Led Zep. We are satisfied with the choice of tracks as they smash out 1996’s fabulous ‘Buy me a Pony’, their amazing cover of Leadbelly’s ‘Black Betty’ and bass player Janet English on vocals for “Fucken Awesome”, which reached no. 20 on Triple J’s Hottest 100 in 2004. With their biggest hits and some crackers thrown in the mix, an hour is not enough but they’ve got to wrap it up by 9.50. We are all so very tired, but pumped at the same time!
What a day. As a regular festival goer for over 30 years, I have to say Spring Loaded was one of the most well organised, chilled, and stress-free festivals I have ever attended. The vegan food van also meant I could get some junk food like everyone else, so the long drive home wasn’t painful at all. I can’t wait until next year!
