SNFU – Whammy bar (Concert Review)

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It’s nine o clock and there’s a pretty nice turn out at Whammy already, which is rad as Whammy gigs have a reputation for being late ones (although apparently they are trying to change that; so guys, turn up to gigs at Whammy on time!).

There’s plenty of familiar faces, but the older faces, the older crew, which, as we all age away, is becoming less and less common. So its a relaxed vibe, with slightly less studs then I would expect at a SNFU gig! Openers are Master Blaster who play short fast and fun punk rock; but as it’s a bit of an Auckland All-Star band dirty punk rock is played with a nice finesse we don’t usually see, and it’s pretty rad.

On Friday night in Wellington, some fucking kid actually BOTTLED frontman of SNFU, Chi Pig, sending him to hospital for a night in a hospital gown with stitches… Everyone has been pretty shocked and appalled by this naturally, and huge amounts of respect for Chi who is insisting on playing the Auckland gig, after a massive tour, a night in hospital and a ten hour drive; he’s here, hanging with the crowd and getting ready to play… mad fucking respect. Of course we can’t forget the unsung hero of the story, the man who sorted everything, who did the ten hour drive; Tim Edwards. The dude is a fucking machine, he’s the face of calm in the disaster, and I really have a lot of respect for the man and the tight ship he runs. Thanks Tim, you are the star of the show!

The second band is Blood Bags, who have a pretty sweet 70s stoner/doomy vibe, fronted by an older chap with glasses who looks like your dad’s accountant (aside from the sweet sideburns) and I’m pretty sure I know a music nerd when I see one; in this case it has totally paid off because these guys are super fun. Pretty chill, with a nice edge and the crowd is pretty much the same, everyone is having fun, even the few stumbly drunks scattered about.

Third up is Scum Beat, and I think I have gone back in time as there is Dero, Bevan, Dave Teeth; What is this, 2005…The anticipation is high (Please be 2005, we all looked better then), and there it is, that Dank sound… Oh good god…Bevan is shouting “Drink some fucking SCRUMPY” and it’s 10-15 years ago, stumbling down memory lane..but now I’m the old cunt at the edge of the pit with earplugs to protect my recently blown eardrum; Yeah, that’s right. Everyone giving me grief for leaving Hell Yeah before they started, the dude who punched the back of my head did so so hard he BLEW MY FUCKING EARDRUM. Music is my life, my world, and he jeopardised that. Why should I stick around at a gig like that?

Anyway, that’s the last I want to talk about it, because here at Whammy everyone is dancing and rocking out and having shit loads of fun, the way a gig should be. The music is awesome, the Dank sound but matured, cleaner and sharper but still dirty punk rock; Dave is as entertaining as ever. I think it’s impossible to have a bad time tonight, the energy is contagious and the sweet sounds of a punk choir is lifting everyone up. This is the power of music, it’s why we love live music, it can transport you and bring you out of your miseries.

On to the main act, Canada’s SNFU. Frontman Chi is a trooper, practically humming with energy wearing an awesome purple sequin frock thing (Look, I write about music, I’m rubbish at describing clothes. I’ve been wearing the same clothes for 15 years and I admire those with bolder tastes than mine (I.e. wearing things that aren’t black)) and although the evidence of last nights disgrace is etched into Chis forehead he seems to not notice or mind. As they are warming up the crowd is a bit on edge, watching each other for anyone who looks like they may be trouble. We’re collectively ashamed of what happened in Wellington and I’m pretty sure well do anything to make sure no future harm comes to Chi or the band. Crammed on the stage with nothing between them and the crowd, you tend to forget that bands are strangely vulnerable up there; tonight everyone remembers.

The bass is heavy and Chi is an entertaining frontman; how does such a big voice come from a small guy. There’s even a hint of Poly-Styrene in there, and holy hell does it work. His stories and asides between songs are as entertaining as his dancing, he engaged with the audience and truly looks like he having fun.

Whammy is having trouble containing the size and energy of the crowd but everyone is looking after each other and keeping it fun. It’s a great night, and the only dark spot on the evening is when a creepy girl decides to slap Chi on the arse several times when his back is turned… yuck. It would be tolerated if the genders were reversed, and it shouldn’t be tolerated now. Everyone who saw looks pretty uncomfortable and upstairs after the set she’s pretty loudly condemned in conversation, which is rad. But other than that, what a fucking night. If I could sum it up in one word it would be “uplifting”, and what a thing to aspire to!

-Tove

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