31 March 2024 – Fortitude Music Hall, Brisbane – words by Joe Harbour – pictures by Bec Harbour
Infectious Grooves is the side project of Mike Muir and Rob Trujillo from Suicidal Tendencies and Metallica. This was around before Rob’s foray into über successful thrash metal and as I’m told, a vehicle to showcase his bass playing skills. Well if you’ve heard him then you know he can certainly play bass.
But first let me tell you a little about the support.
Tonight, The Inspector Cluzo from France have tagged along to bring their quirky version of noise to the Australian masses. Featuring Laurent (Guitar, Lead Vocal) and Mathieu (Drums), have carved a 30-year career delivering high octane blues rock, while at the same time running their own 15Ha organic farm promoting the Agro-Ecologic system which seeks to fight the challenges of climate change and sustainability for future generations. I’m not sure this message was conveyed overtly to the audience but there ya go.
The Inspector Cluzo – FMH – photos by Bec Harbour
Next up was the main attraction or side show, I dunno because it was clowns everywhere (actually was the bands kids in masks) and we got ‘These Freaks are Here to Party’ to set the tone right off the bat! Next we got ‘Turtle Wax’, ‘Stop Funking with my Head’ and ‘You lie…and Your Breath Stank’.
At the beginning we also got a little movie montage of the clowns skating and surfing various locations (I think Venice Beach from what I could tell) as well as a skit of some dodgy management group looking for a resurrection of the group.
Infectious Grooves – FMH – photos by Bec Harbour
Next we had the probably best known song in ‘Punk It Up’, and ‘Therapy’. ‘Punk It Up’ was the first song I’d heard way back in 91-92 on RAGE and was mesmerised by the slap bass intro Rob rips out. Needless to say I was stoked to see it in person after all these years. ‘Therapy’ has Ozzy Osbourne on the hook and is a catchy tune in its own right.
Next after a small monologue from Mike we get a cover of ‘Fame’ by David Bowie which was great, considering the ingredients of the band it’s a funky song. Awesome stuff.
Infectious Grooves – FMH – photos by Bec Harbour
We also got ‘Lock it in the Pocket’, ‘Funny Farm’ and another reasonably known track ‘Violent and Funky’ and then it was on to ‘Boom Boom Boom’.
The last few songs were ‘Monster Skank’, ‘Borracho’ and then the bands namesake ‘Infectious Grooves’ and they rolled the clowns back out for a good old romp around the stage.
Overall, everyone had fun and danced and whooped yelped and had a merry good time.
The only downside of the night was some “friends” of the band who acted like a pack of divas desperately trying to get in and throw their weight around, who were rude and obnoxious a-holes. Yes we all saw you guys…
Infectious Grooves – FMH – photos by Bec Harbour
After the Infectious set we were treated to a suicidal tendencies reunion of sorts and we got 4 songs where Rob joined his son Tye to play some punk! ‘Subliminal’ ‘send me your money’ and ‘pledge your allegiance’ got dished and I personally was stoked!
Great night overall!
