Review: Greg Puciato at Amplifier Bar

Greg Puciato at Amplifier Bar
Sunday, January 21, 2024

Greg Puciato wrapped up his Australian tour with a late-night slot at Amplifier on Sunday night.

Best known for his time fronting The Dillinger Escape Plan, Puciato has been playing guitar and vocals in Jerry Cantrell's (Alice In Chains) solo band as of late. Being in that band has no doubt influenced his songwriting. Dark and brooding droning melodies and bending lead guitar parts that give you those goose pimple moments are a constant, especially on the Mirrorcell album material that was performed on the night.

It took an eternity before Puciato and his band got on stage at nearly 11 o'clock. Some fans were starting to worry we were being 'Axl Rosed' as the evening drew out.

When Puciato and his band finally hit the stage, it was the track Reality Spiral that really got heads banging. The audience got a treat when Reba Myers from Code Orange was actually there in person to sing the beautiful duet song Lowered from The Mirrorcell album.

Puciato’s stage antics these days are completely different from what he was like with The Dillinger Escape Plan, with him taking a cooler, more subdued approach. Addressing his fans, he shared what it meant to him to be in Perth and performing down under as a solo artist for the first time.

The sound during the night was a bit off, and the songs that benefit from those expansive, textured guitar parts from the records were a bit lost in the mix, as was the clarity of Puciato’s vocals. Nevertheless, the performance was still good.

Puciato is a ‘complete’ vocalist who can do a wide range of things with his voice. His range is formidable, and he can go from intense screaming to singing beautiful melodic melodies with ease, and Sunday night was no exception. This was especially impressive coming off the back of four eastern states shows in a row.

With a good mix of material from the back catalogue, fans of Puciato’s solo work enjoyed the selection on the night, and closing with a cover of Alice in Chains’ Them Bones was a perfect way to round out the evening, with the invigorated crowd singing along in full voice.

KEVIN CURRAN

Photos by Stu McKay