Live Review: The Beasts Of Bourbon, Mother & Son

As Bodie Jarman stood on stage with his guitar, gently strumming the siren call to bandmate Mat Teudt, there was something already special about the night. Mother & Son are from Wollongong via Mississippi, Tennessee, and New York. There's a blues punk rock sound grounded in a deep understanding of the greats. While the Oasis cover was an entertaining story, The Cramps' Human Fly was sublime. The original Recoats was a stand out, and this reviewer would be surprised if any of the 20 vinyls were left in the merch stand by the end of the set.

The Beasts Of Bourbon are a band that any music lover could wax lyrical over for hours. Even at the beginning of their 30-year career, each member, and each incarnation since, has left an indelible mark on the Australian music landscape. This night was the second in their trilogy of 30 Years Of Borrowed Time shows, featuring tracks from The Axeman's Jazz, Sour Mash, Black Milk and The Low Road.

With so many superstars on stage it was great to see some angst and a big of ego argy bargy, whether real or put on. Unfortunately, their usual extended jams were kept to a minimum to allow the lads to belt through crowd favourites and album tracks, including Graveyard Train, Finger Lickin' and Chase The Dragon. Tex's vocal was clear and strong, while Kim's distorted lead was ear poppingly iconic. Spencer kept things tight while the backline rolled and lolled like lovers. Cool Fire, Drop Out and Let's Get Funky were personal highlights, while the two encores featured a saliva spitting Hard Work Drivin' Man, a killer Hard For You and Something To Lean On with Kim on vocal.

There is a reason these men have had three decades of success in Australian music. There is a skill, a joy, and a professionalism that imbues everything they do, keeping them eternally balanced on the right edge of train wreck and genius. As far as a gift for fans, this tour of trinity shows is more than we could ever ask for.