Click the image or text to go to that band’s gallery which also has music and social links. noobheavyau@gmail.com if you want me to come photograph a show. I generally photograph bands I enjoy but I try to emphasis the openers and supports, I often miss headliners. I will often leave a bit of a review… I guess this is a live music blog inside of my website.
Anyway, I practice taking photos as weekly as I can at Tomcat’s (FB) in the Fortitude Valley, Brisbane. Tomcat’s is keeping free shows alive, with heaps of alt/rock/stoner/punk shows with zero entry fee and other amusements such as pool, arcade and most importantly, a smoking deck (no security clearance needed). I’m always happy to meet up there about site-wide matters such my Australian Heavypedia / Noob Heavy Australia (YT) / Esoteric Tapes or PR hiring. Probably before midnight eh? Shout out to my 3am warriors, may you make it home safely.
All images should be downloadable like any other photo, no security or anything. Just a discreet watermark for my IG/FB.
Weekly Free Shows @ Tomcat’s Brisbane 27/09/19
Live Shots: TRACE (Live @ Tomcat 04/10/19)
TRACE are a heavy duo that uses a lot of accessories and peripheries in the music to make up for the other non existant members. I’m talking about one guy playing two guitars over the course of the set, both of them singing and there’s actual fucking rattles. Which we discovered do not rattle very if you try to do it with your teeth. They also use some ambient backing tracks which when I first entered the venue, I thought was the beginning of a drone set. I had no idea what to expect and TRACE delivered on something I didn’t know I needed. TRACE opened the show for the night and remained memorable.
Live Shots: Muules (04/10/19)
Muules are an alt rock/grunge band from the Sunshine Coast. Unfortunately I didn’t manage to get footage (and I’m battling lamps with these photos), but Muules were a decent live act. Not what I would normally listen to but there’s an enthusiastic crowd for it.
Live Shots: The Rockefeller Frequency (03/10/19)
The Rockefeller Frequency are a Brisbane band somewhere between rock and punk. Their songs are typically about something political or societal and the vocalist isn’t afraid to participate in between-song-banter. A lot of energy and a lot of older inspirations, using elements of even ska and other punk adjacent sub genres.
Continue Reading Live Shots: The Rockefeller Frequency (03/10/19)
Live Shows: Scrappy Coco @ Tomcat (03/10/19)
Scrappy Coco are a folk punk trio from Brisbane that play a variety of punk and punk adjacent tunes with high energy and banter. If you hear the name Scrappy Coco in town then definitely give it a go, it’s always going to at least be a lot of fun.
Continue Reading Live Shows: Scrappy Coco @ Tomcat (03/10/19)
Live Shots: Chavez Cartel @ Tomcats Brisbane 27/09/19
One of the highlights of the night and I had a real hard time getting photos, at least there’s this short video that pretty much captures the dark essence of the performance. I definitely want to see them again soon, I’m sure i’ll have this camera figured out by then. It was a really intense performance, particularly the singer who has strong anti-stage presence. Paired with the themes of the music, makes for a very memorable and intimate experience.
Continue Reading Live Shots: Chavez Cartel @ Tomcats Brisbane 27/09/19
Crowbar Brisbane
Live Shots: Blind Girls @ Crowbar Brisbane 27/09/19
A real nice surprise to find on a doom lineup, Blind Girls really stood out and I’m going to be seeing them whenever I can. Another local band with a cassette! again, if anyone has it and wants to sell/trade… I don’t know any bands like this in the area but it is exactly my jam. In the future I will be up front early for this one. I’m lucky I was able to even get the photos I got with the amount of people at the barrier. It’s primal af and perfect for my short attention span.
Continue Reading Live Shots: Blind Girls @ Crowbar Brisbane 27/09/19
Live Shots: Lizzard Wizzard @ Crowbar Brisbane 27/09/19
This show was absolutely wild and hard to photograph. So much went on and I’m a big new fan of Wizzard Lizzard. Firstly they look exactly how they ‘ought to and the bassist is wearing the shirt for the same Carcinoid demo I’ll be reviewing this week. At some point a guest vocalist joined from the crowd and I was able to replace him at the front. The final song, some dude in a suit had to stand there holding the guitar amp plug into the amp and this is stoner doom so the songs like 7 mins haha. Big show, I’ll be sure to get to the front early next time.
Continue Reading Live Shots: Lizzard Wizzard @ Crowbar Brisbane 27/09/19
Live Shots: Deceased Estates @ Crowbar Brisbane 27/09/19
I’ve covered a bit of Dungeon Synth this year with reviews and interviews with the likes of Grimdor and Akerius, I familiarized myself with this very niche style just recently so I was excited to get to see such a project locally. I’m glad alternative to this extent exists in Brisbane with these sort of solo projects and that people were able to appreciate it. Naturally it’s not an up front head nod sort of deal, it’s more an atmosphere and many of it’s tones made the dark outskirts of the venue all the more comfortable, lager in hand to start the night.
Continue Reading Live Shots: Deceased Estates @ Crowbar Brisbane 27/09/19
Live Shots: Gutterfire @ Crowbar 20/09/19
Gutterfire are a brand new band on the Brisbane scene but as the first band up on this bill they certainly showed they have a strong open. Definitely one to keep an eye out for.
Live Shots: Flaming Wrekage 20/09/19
These guys were the only death metal band on a stoner doom bill and it ruled pretty hard. No matter what kind of show it is, you can add Death Metal to get the energy back up. Crowbar Brisbane is pretty good at a lineup typically.
Live Shots: The Black Swamp 20/09/19
The Black Swamp put on a heavy show of southern/stoner metal that has a surprising amount of moshability. This is the second time I’ve seen them and can definitely recommend giving them a go. I own one of their shirts and it rules. Check out their 2018 album Witches:
Live Shots: Dirty Brew
Dirty Brew are a great fucking time. I’ve seen them twice this year and I’ve enjoyed it more each time. They play a smartass brand of southern rock that they sometimes infuse with a metal or even doom edge. I’ve seen them play the same song different ways and hopefully I’ll see them more soon
Live Shots: Terror Parade
Terror Parade put on a hell of a show, very much in the spirit of Marilyn MAnson or Rammstein. Musically they have quite a variety from hard rock to punk to metal. The vocalist has a strong stage presence as well as an impressive versatile voice.
Live Shots: Altar Defecation
Altar Defecation are a black metal band from Adelaide with an occult sound and styling. This is from their set at Shred Fest 2019 when for their debut Brisbane show. Check out their new EP Anno Domini Luciferum.