Guttermouth, Numbskulls, Ebolagoldfish, Lola @ UniBar, Adelaide 14/3/2024
Having supported the likes of Me First and the Gimme Gimmes, the Decedents and Bodyjar, local Adelaide lads Lola are well versed in warming up the crowd for eminent punk acts. Charismatic singer/ guitarist Billy Burns has all the rock moves down-pat, but more importantly, has the songs to back it up. Tracks What’s the point, Billionaire and Game Over have all the hallmarks of good pop-punk rock songwriting craft, and the tune Don’t try to find the drugs could slot right into the back catalogue of Frenzal Rhomb. From an almost empty room, to having a fairly healthy crowd in the end, you couldn’t ask for much more from an opening act.
Not just a fun name to say, Sydney three-piece Ebolagoldfish play an Aussie style of melodic punk rock not too dissimilar to the early sounds of Front End Loader and Bodyjar. Brothers Andy (guitar) and Gavan (bass) McDougall trade vocal duties (and hilarious barbs) throughout their set of punk rock numbers that are fast, catchy, and simply put, bloody tight. Coming from good musical stock (the two are brothers of Frenzal Rhomb’s Lindsay McDougall), together with Andy Braid on drums, they receive a positive response from the early crowd for punchy numbers like Idol Thoughts and latest single Dreams. It’s been seven years (by their recollection) since their last Adelaide show, so let’s hope Ebolagoldfish don’t leave it so long next time.
Having enjoyed quite the resurgence in recent years, it’s clear local surf-punk legends Numbskulls still have plenty left in the tank. With stacks of older fans in the room tonight, they rip through a set of raw power punk numbers at pace, with the likes of School Sux, Ned is Dead, Coco Pops, Beerin Up and Pizza Box. A far cry from the surf club mosh pits of old, the open dance floor leaves ample space for fans to shuffle in bust the occasional move – without the risk of blowing out a knee or hip. For many present, it’s a welcome blast of nostalgia of the iconic 90’s Adelaide music scene.
After touring Australia countless times Guttermouth are no strangers to our shores. They were last here in 2023 (skipping Adelaide), but now they’re back to celebrate their 2001 LP Covered in Ants (plus requests). Credit must go to the band and promoter too for keeping tickets to this show less than $50, which for an international act in 2024, is a goddamn miracle in itself.
Casually strolling on stage Can I Borrow Some Ambition and Secure Horizons from Covered in Ants are played straight off the bat, closely followed by Looking Good is all that Matters, and I’m Destroying the World. Having just played seven shows in eight nights, the band are clearly showing no signs of fatigue, with drummer AJ Condosta particularly impressive to witness behind the kit.
But, there’s elephant in the room tonight, and that is the dismal sound mix – particularly the vocals – which are really bumming the audience out. Singer Mark Adkin’s voice is virtually inaudible for at least the opening four songs, and while everyone accepts a few teething issues early, it seems like this might be what we’re dealt tonight. In typical So-Cal punk manner the band don’t let it phase them though as they forge on, blasting out the ear-worm hit single She’s Got That Look, much to the delight of the crowd.
The ever-irreverent Adkins is in fine form tonight. Armed with his trademark grin and sharp wit, his humour provides some comic relief as he trades insults with the audience, as is his modus operandi. In the end it’s all just fun and games, and a good reminder to not take yourself too seriously at a Guttermouth show.
Between Covered in Ants tracks, the band play a raft of older hits including, Bruce Lee vs kiss Army, Asshole, 7T’s, Whiskey, and Baker’s Dozen before rounding out the show with the adolescent anthem Lipstick, pleasing the dedicated superfans in the front row.
Despite the obvious and unfortunate sound issues tonight, the band do their best to keep the crowd enthused (and amused at times), and overall, it’s a jovial mood in the room to end with, proving that if the guys on stage are the ones having the most fun, that’s not always such a bad thing.
Live Review By Matt Eygenraam