Death From Above 1979, DZ Deathrays @ The Gov, Adelaide 23/4/2025
The sense of anticipation for the return of Death From Above 1979 was strong having last played in our parts back in 2011 at the now defunct festival Parklife. This was everything it should be and a whole lot more. It was loud, raucous, intense, chaotic and just a bloody brilliant gig. Even with ear plugs that was no filter for how loud this show was. The tour was focused on celebrating the twentieth anniversary of their debut album You’re A Woman, I’m A Machine.
If this Canadian duo wasn’t enough the added bonus was seeing DZ Deathrays supporting. The beauty of DZ Deathrays is you know exactly what you are going to get leaving the stage smouldering on completion of their forty five minute. Right from the get go the band was absolutely firing playing an explosive set filled with the staples we have grown to love from this band. Shane Parsons (vocals/ guitarist) made it clear that if it wasn’t for bands like Death From Above 1979 “there would be no us”. There was plenty to like and the highlights reel boasted the likes of Gina Works at Hearts, Paranoid and Shred For Summer.
For a two piece Death From Above make a hell of a racket and the sound they are able to create is incredible and to watch this two demolition crew of Sebastien Grainger and Jesse F. Keeler was something to be in awe of. The die hard following were in to it and this classic album is just as relevant now as it was when it was released twenty years ago. That chaotic and frenetic energy was there from first drop of Turn It Out. Whilst there were no real surprises for the first part of the show playing the classic album from cover to cover it was a real treat knowing that this type of show would not be done again in Australia.
Romantic Rights, Going Steady and Blood On Our Hands are absolute bangers that are designed to melt your face off. Hot damn! So good! The chemistry between Grainger and Keeler is unparalleled and there is no one like this duo. There wasn’t a lot of talking letting the music say everything and as they ploughed through Black History Month, Little Girl, Cold War and the title track building this wall of sound shaking the foundations of The Gov.
The story behind the bonus track Sexy Results was humorous the first time Grainger engaged the crowd saying they never had played it but because it is on the album they had to play it. Taken from a line from The Simpsons, Grainger admitted in being embarrassed by the lyrics as a young sexless person trying to get something to happen quoting the stand out line “poor unrequited boners”. In the words of Grainger that was the album “front ot back, no bullshit, no filler, all killer!”
The remainder of the show opened up so many possibilities with Nomad following and “nothing to do with a penis”. Free Animal and Virgin was awesome which prompted Grainger to ask what day it is forgetting it was recycling day and need to send a quick text. The rest of the main set was incredible with Modern Guy, White Is Red and Freeze Me topped off brilliantly with Trainwreck. The duo looked absolutely spent giving Adelaide everything to the performance. Returning for an encore Grainger spoke about “needing to stay on schedule” involving a routine including “eating Big Macs” and “shitting my pants”. The set list had five songs listed but ended up playing Right On, Frankenstein! and Dead Womb to top off an unforgettable show. Let’s hope it is not another fourteen years for a return visit.
Live Review By Rob Lyon