13 August 2024 – Fortitude Music Hall, Brisbane – words and pictures by Bec Harbour
It’s been a gloomy rainy day in Brisbane today but there’s one thing keeping me going – Spiderbait celebrating the 20th anniversary of their cover of ‘Black Betty’ at the Fortitude Music Hall tonight.
I arrive at the soggy Brunswick Street Mall to a line-up with all ages represented – there are parents with their kids (there is some super cute ear protection going on), and every age demographic represented. This is testament to the appeal and love we have for Spiderbait – the rest of the world has kind of slept on them but we know what’s good.
Starting up the night is local act Worm Girlz, a garage punk outfit who are releasing their single ‘Go Fishing’ on Thursday. You can tell they are so excited to be playing the Fortitude Music Hall and supporting Spiderbait with big grins, they looked to be having so much fun up there. Worm Girlz look like people who have interesting hobbies, but also make music with meaningful content, packaged up in a brash punk-adjacent melody. Look out for Worm Girlz supporting their new single later this year.
Worm Girlz – Fortitude Music Hall – photos by Bec Harbour
Next up were Polish Club. Polish Club are fantastic live whether as the core two piece of David Novak and John-Henry Pajak or augmented with touring musicians – I will say they are at their best when it’s just the two of them – they play off each other (the banter is A1) and musically do not sound sparse at all for a two piece. They kicked off a cracking set with ‘Clarity’ the huge single from their 2019 album Iguana. I think Polish Club reminded people who may have forgotten how brilliant they are live, AND converted some people who may not have heard of them. Novak is a consummate showman and Pajak is a beast on that kit. They blasted their way through a set that was far too short, that included a medley of early noughties hits including the Killers, ‘Somebody Told Me’, Franz Ferdinand’s ‘Take Me Out’ among others.
Polish Club – Fortitude Music Hall – photos by Bec Harbour
On to Spiderbait. I can’t remember how many times I have seen them. It’s a lot. The first album I ever bought of theirs was The Unfinished Spanish Galleon of Finley Lake and getting a recommendation when ordering from Au-go-go in Melbourne to also buy Shashavaglava their first one as well and bundling the single that had ‘Alex the Seal’ as a B side (this was the 90’s, the PHONE call taker at Au-go-go had some serious sales tactics and I had dad’s credit card).
Anyway, back to now. In 2004 Spiderbait had reached cult status, everyone knew who they were but their core demographic were off having kids or whatever else. Insert Tonight, Alright and it’s souped up cover of Lead Belly’s ‘Black Betty’. This opened up a whole new group of fans for Spiderbait. Fast forward 20 years and we are in the Fortitude Music Hall celebrating what a cracker of a cover this was.
The set was kicked off with an acoustic version of ‘Black Betty’ with Janet on drums and Whitt playing guitar and some banter by Kram after about Janet’s drumming. They then kicked off ‘Straight Through the Sun’ followed up by ‘Outta My Head’, ‘Shazam’ and ‘Jesus’. Then the staticky effect of ‘Monty’ kicked in and everyone went nuts. For those that don’t know this is the song with the ‘Transformers’ guitar effect and the video of them in robot costumes made out of boxes.
Spiderbait – Fortitude Music Hall – photos by Bec Harbour
We then had ‘Chest Hair’, ‘Hot Water and Milk’ and ‘Cows’ paired up with ‘Tonite’. Then came ‘By the Time I Get to Howlong’ a whimsical ballad from Grand Slam with Kram back out front, Janet on harmonica and Whitt taking a seat. ‘Glockenpop’ was up next with Kram doing triple duties of acoustic guitar, drums and a toy xylophone. After this softer interlude, the opening riff for the most sarcastic song ever kicked in, ‘Fucken Awesome’ and everyone sang along because what Australian doesn’t like a song with a swear in it?
Then we did a bit of a deep dive – ‘Old Man Sam’ was a festival staple for years, ‘In This City’ from Tonight Alright and ‘Sam Gribbles’ from The Unfinished Spanish Galleon of Finley Lake, followed up by crowd fav ‘Scenester’, ‘Run’ their cover of The Goodies theme, ‘Fucken Ace’ and ‘Calypso’. And the set ended.
Spiderbait – Fortitude Music Hall – photos by Bec Harbour
Were they going to leave us without the album version of ‘Black Betty’? Of course not, but first an amazing cover of Motorhead’s ‘Ace of Spades’ sung by Janet. Then the twangy bluegrassy opening chords sounded and we were blasted with it. The band ended the set by coming together on stage – hugging and really showing what a dynamic unit they are (the props they gave each other was continuous through the show – it was awesome to see).
Spiderbait – Fortitude Music Hall – photos by Bec Harbour
This gig felt like a big party for not only the band and their music, but everyone in attendance – the generations that have been along for the ride and by the number of underaged punters in the crowd, the next generation that will love Spiderbait.
