19 October 2024 – The Princess Theatre, Brisbane – words by Cody-James Henderson – pictures by Bec Harbour
I’ve done my fair share of reviews in my lifetime. Numerous bands, albums, shows, interviews and all out conversations. But for the first time I’m back reviewing an act that I’ve actually spoken about before (and within the last 12 months as well). But when Australian Rock Royalty calls, you best pick up the phone and answer.
Grinspoon need little to no introduction (mainly because I’ve already said my piece on how much I love this band) but off the back of their gigantic ‘Easy Detention’ tour in 2023, the band have quite literally tripled down to bring the ‘whatever, whenever, wherever’ Tour’. 43 Dates, September to December. Not one part of the country missed. I’m exhausted even thinking about it. Joining them on this gigantic run are Melbourne punks Press Club and tonight local artist is none other than IXARAS who supported the band in Brisbane last year (Deja Vu, am I right?) So just what comes of a band that on the verge of their 30th anniversary, have set out on their most ambitious tour and just how much energy is left in the tank after all?
IXARAS: Following suite after supporting Grinners almost 12 months at Fortitude Music Hall, a lot has been happening for the young upstart known as IXARAS. From forming their own label ‘Anti Dismal’ performances at SXSW Sydney & Interstate touring, IXARAS is more than just a young name making it in the industry. They’re already starting to take over.
Crashing in with little to no introduction with ‘Worry’, there is already a level of cohesion between the solo star and backing band that some collective groups could only wish they have. As harsh as the noises are, every element of the performance is outstanding. Sure, the sight of younger people coming out on stage with an unfamiliar name to larger audiences of enough to throw the casual listener off but once it gets going, you realise why they’re here to begin with.
IXARAS – Princess Theatre – photos by Bec Harbour
With a song like ‘Mean’ you hear the Australian Punk influences the like that Grinspoon are synonymous with, but it’s layered surf/indie influences keep it fresh on the ears. Like a song you’ve almost heard before but haven’t. As IXARAS voice floats above the distortion, it’s hard to believe that this is someone who can’t even legally go to the bar at the Princess on their own yet. Plus, if you want to hear a song sung completely through a rotary phone called ‘What the Fuck?’ You’re only going to see something like that an IXARAS show.
Like the formalities dressed in, it’s not too fashionably late to jump aboard the IXARAS hype train before it leaves for the largest fields possible, so make sure you do. Because there’s no guessing when it’s going to stop, so be a part of the ride before it leaves you forever.
PRESS CLUB: Quick, efficient, precise; these are just a few worlds to describe Press Club’s ability to be on stage, sound checked and ready to go. Less than 10 minutes after IXARAS had cleared the stage, The Club was ready to go, and go hard they did.
Press Club are a part of all 43 TOUR DATES with Grinspoon; and for a band that’s barely halfway through the tour, you wouldn’t believe that from the energy they hit the stage with! Vocalist Nat Foster wouldn’t know how to stop owning the smaller stage even if you spelt it out for her. From high kicks to one hell of a cartwheel and even taking it into the crowd to get up into peoples faces, you’re automatically taken into their world where it transcends just being a rock show. Two songs in and you almost feel they’re fighting for their lives, like this is the last chance they’ve got to do this. Now THAT is Punk Rock.
Press Club – The Princess – photos by Bec Harbour
In the midst of this mammoth touring effort, the band released a brand new single ‘Champagne & Nikes’. As the band wanted to recapture a sound they curated on their first album ‘Late Teens’ the reception to its live performance was just as raucous as said album. A true representation of just how damned good Australian Independent music is. Whilst the crowd slowly warmed up to match the energy of Press Club, the set had ultimately met its finale with a crowd participating rendition of ‘Suburbia’. And I was actually devastated. This had such a big show energy, taking a crowd of almost 800 to the sensations of 8000 strong; I could’ve been happy watching the Club tear it up for at least another hour if I’m honest with you.
It can be a tough situation to be an opening act still trying to establish a steady audience, but throughout this set Press Club played their own show with all the intent that Punk stands for and then some more. It’s true, it’s passionate, it’s art, it’s beautiful. It’s fucking Press Club. Don’t you forget the name.
GRINSPOON; What is there to say about a band as revolutionary in the Australia Rock Scene that I didn’t already mention in my last review about Grinspoon from December 2023? Possibly not much but I’ll do my best.
Grinspoon – The Princess – photos by Bec Harbour
The bands latest album Whatever, Whatever was a chance to just release a solid front to back rock album and the bands first in 12 years. So what better to mark that with a triumphant 40+ date tour over the course of 3 months? Thats what all bands do right?
As the crowd bops along relentless to ‘Ma-numa-na’ from the Muppets soundtrack before a mass singing session of ‘Lido’ it was time for the Grinners to make the stage for their second Brisbane visit this tour.
Opening up with ‘Unknown Pretenders’ from the latest album, Phil Jamieson jumps right into mayhem from the drum riser, moving as it’s still the early 2000s. As the crowd sings loud, you’d automatically think that this was a long term hit for the band, but when DCx3 comes on next, it pails in comparison. I feel the floor shake beneath my feet, this is a magical way to start a set that couldn’t get better. And then Just Ace started. This is a band that knows how to get a crowd in their palm for an entire and not leave it all right til the end.
‘Rock Show’ barely slows the set down as ‘Lost Control’ nearly sends the sold out venue into the ground. It’s hard to believe this is a new album tour with the hits the band is giving us. It’s like getting desert before the entrees, it must be Christmas! And as we get our next taste of the new record with ‘Never Say Never’ you get a glimpse of a band still loving everything they are still able to do. Regardless if Grinspoon never released ‘Whatever, Whatever’ you can tell the passion to keep going and putting tours like this on comes from the love of it.
Grinspoon – The Princess – photos by Bec Harbour
It’s hard not to enjoy yourself at a show like this. Regardless of how big of a Grinners fan you are, there is a mass appeal of songs that garners generations of fans. From the old school skate rock early days of ‘Ready 1’ and ‘No Reason’ to the more ballad inclined ‘Better Off Alone’ Grinners ability to tie a 3 decade collection of records into a mass appeal setlist is no easy feat, but you’re not given a chance to breathe as you’ll always be singing along. And if dancing is something you like to do, allow Phil to be your instructor. It’s no ballet synchronised performance, but his on stage control is infectious and at points, just silly. But the level of fun being had rubs off onto the crowd as they return the energy back 10-fold.
“Hey friends, hey first timers, hey old timers” says Jamieson as he re-introduces Nat from Press Club for a lovely duet, the first proper chance for the room to breathe. But once you take that breath, you’re witnessing two of Australia’s finest voices in all of rock combined for a moment of beauty. A welcome break between mayhem and a story about selling out of tea towel merchandise in Ipswich the night before, as ‘1000 Miles’ turns the dancefloor into carnage. But no set is complete without the undisputed Aus Rock cover of INXS ‘Don’t Change’ a song that people dispute could never be touched. But what Grinners give to it in the terms of energy is indescribable.
Grinspoon – The Princess – photos by Bec Harbour
An encore that’s not quite an encore begins with what’s arguably the bands biggest hit; ‘Chemical Heart’. As a sold out venue busts it out word for word, it gets increasingly harder to hear the band which in all honesty, is brilliant. And then of course, everyone’s favourite question;
“So you wanna be a Champion?”
I see a collective of older man make a rush for the out to live it up one more time and even the bar stuff are dancing along. Whilst ‘Chemical Heart’ might be the most popular, ‘Champion’ reigns as the undisputed king of the Grinners set. Wrapping up with ‘More Than You Know’ it’s hard to believe that 90 minutes have flown by so quickly. But this time wasn’t wasted. Not even slightly.
Not a lot of bands that have been around for 30 odd years live to see themselves release a completely refreshed sounding new album. Hell, a lot of them don’t book a 43 Date National tour playing in any venue just for the sake of doing a massive National/Regional/Backyard all in one tour just because they can. But Grinspoon? Yeah they can do it. Doing it well? That’s an understatement of the highest degree.
