Live Review: Violent Soho Ceres

Ceres provide a competent, pop-rock set, but it lacks any true originality. Tom Lanyon, however, is energetic and creates some allure.

The joint is packed and the atmosphere is electric. Rage Against The Machine’s anti-establishment anthem Killing In The Name blares through the PA, inducing a pre-show mosh. It’s risky to follow such a song, with its explosive energy, but the Brisbane boys are up to the challenge.

They’re greeted with a hearty roar and Violent Soho rip into Dope Calypso, tearing into the heart of the crowd. As Luke Henery windmills his hair, the crowd sings along almost as loudly as frontman Luke Boerdam. Wasting no time soaking up the glorious applause, the guys launch into Lowbrow.

“What’s up Melbourne?” James Tidswell asks, while his bandmates catch their breath. There’s a sea of devil-horn hand gestures from the punters who are packed in like sardines. As Neighbour Neighbour reaches the chorus, crowd-surfing begins. When one surfer’s shoe gets flung through the air, we understand that a real rock show is underway. Boerdam looks determined playing Gold Coast and, as the blinding stage lights shine, so does this fantastic foursome.

The grungy gentlemen’s wall of fuzz advances viciously into the punkie In The Isle. Violent Soho switch gears and beachie, delayed guitar signals the instantly recognisable Saramona Said. Keeping focused, Boerdam multi-tasks by screaming the verse lyrics while coolly tuning his guitar. In a pledge to rock, every hand is up and punters passionately chant, “Let’s start a fire!”

Jangly and pure, Fur Eyes could come off as flimsy but a soft aggression still lingers through the lungs of Boerdam whose voice croaks in a powerful way. Tidswell alluringly articulates the lead riff, while Michael Richards powers through the drumming with Dave Grohl prowess.

As pot perfumes the venue, Covered In Chrome gets the rowdiest of responses. Henery jumps off the drum riser, tumbling terrifically back on the stage. With more charisma than most, these Mansfield men magnificently manipulate the Melbourne crowd.