Live Review: Bad Religion + Strung Out + MYC

Bad Religion (USA) w/ Strung

Out (USA) and Mid Youth Crisis @ Festival Hall (Melbourne)

Friday November 9^th,

2007 

To say that people were hanging

to see Bad Religion would have to be the understatement of the

year. Having cancelled their two previous tours, big things were expected

from Southern California's punk rock forefathers and they didn't let

anyone down.  

Melbourne's own Mid Youth

Crisis kicked off the evening's festivities and they did an admirable

job of warming up a half full Festival Hall. Although the songs (and

for once, the mix) sounded great and many members of the crowd were

nodding along in appreciation, I feel as though MYC looked a

bit lost on the big stage. As great as it was to see one of our country's

greatest ever punk bands on the same stage as Bad Religion, I

think everyone would prefer an intimate show at The Arthouse.  

After seeing Strung Out

play a pretty decent set the previous evening at Next, tonight's display

was a little disappointing. While the band's on stage energy couldn't

faulted it's rather unfortunate that Jason's charisma couldn't

be matched by his vocal performance... not to mention the notorious

Festival Hall mix didn't do the guys any favours. Fifteen years into

a stellar career and Strung Out have proven that they are still

capable of writing great records, but after witnessing tonight's show

I'm not confident that they can pull it off live anymore.  

“Calling” and “Blackhawks

Over Los Angeles” stood up well against the band's older material,

but the changes to the arrangements for classic tracks such as “Too

Close To See” and “Ultimate Devotion” were a bit frustrating.

I can appreciate that playing the same songs for a decade can grow a

little tiresome but Strung Out's back catalogue didn't have the

usual kick this evening. 

By the time Bad Religion

walked on stage the entire venue was a heaving mass of booze and sweat.

Audience members were literally champing at the bit to see the punk

veterans do what they do best and I don't think anyone in attendance

walked away from the show disappointed. I'm still not sure what was

more impressive... the fact that all the songs sounded so great or that

guys in their 40's are still able to rock out as well as Greg Graffin

and co. 

There's no way I could give

a blow by blow account of the set because Bad Religion played

for more than 90 minutes! Every punter there was more than satisfied

with the song selection, which included tracks from 'How Could Hell

Be Any Worse...' right through to their most recent release 'New

Maps Of Hell'. Taking into account the sheer number of songs

that were played that night I can't be 100% sure of everything that

was covered, but after a quick search on various forums this is what

I've come up with: 

Fuck Armageddon... 

Infected  

Simply put, this was the must

see punk show of 2007. Whether you're new to the band or you were one

of the many die hards in attendance it doesn't really matter. What does matter is that Bad Religion proved just why they are one of

the most important bands of the last two decades... and that's enough

for me.