Mojos Bar
Saturday, September 20, 2015
Mojo’s in North Fremantle was at near capacity for the launch of a new EP, Garage Sale Girl, by long-running local heroes, The Painkillers.
The evening’s entertainment commenced with an acoustic set by Homicides frontman, Donny Rat. Appreciative early birds were treated to several selections from his most recent project, The Mystery Eels. Raw, personal and minimalistic, tracks such as Heartdrop Ballad, Small Gods, and Save Yourself were by turns dark and tender.
Emu Xperts were one guitarist down for the night, but not short on enthusiasm. You Wouldn’t Like Me When I’m Soberand Dexy’s Midnight Hummers were highlights of a set filled out by covers of the Cosmic Psychos and Zeke. Shirts-off set closer, I’m An Xpert, sealed the deal.
Aborted Tortoise demonstrated why they’re fast becoming Perth’s favourite garage punks and with such a busy gigging schedule there are plenty of opportunities to catch them live. As there are with Catbrush, whose swamp/punk sound is both raw and engaging.
What a difference a bass makes. Richard Lane and Martyn P. Casey have filled out The Painkillers’ sound very nicely and have made them a more dynamic proposition. Adding these two guns to James Baker’s in-form drumming and Joe Bludge’s ever clear and reliable voice gives their older songs new depth.
Honey Bees was a mellow one early on, but they soon kicked a donkey’s ass with tunes from their new Garage Sale Girl EP, including the title track as well as Animals, Rapunzal and A Red Headed Woman. It’s nice to see a band that’s been around a while still improving, and they certainly kicked the most goals on the night. It’s the best they’ve ever been.
Python stepped back onto a stage for the first time in several years but apart from some facial hair made it seem like they’d only been gone a week. They played the late, late slot and after spilling as much Jack Daniel’s as he drank, singer Johnny Ajax led his old rock’n’roll soldiers through a savage version of Wildcat Fever, and they of course closed with their big hit, Hot Pussy.
KELVIN CRAIG
