It is freaking Friday and I have made my way to the Imperial Hotel as Chicago’s punk rockers, the Dwarves, are playing in Sydney. I find my way down an almost secret set of stairs that open into a subbasement venue that just seems like the perfect place to witness the sensational live performance that is often associated with the Dwarves.

Before I get into the Dwarves, let me just start out by saying that if you haven’t caught Neptune Power Federation before you should really make the effort to. They are an act that must be seen. With their enigmatic front women, who really knows how to belt out a tune, and churning away on guitar is Jay from Frenzal Rhomb.

The band come out and start thrashing away with their brand of absolute straight in your face punk. The crowd swell towards the front of the stage and mosh about and when front man Blag Dahlia shoves the microphone in the faces of those up front, you best believe the lyrics are shouted down the mic. Fists get raised high in the air and thrusted towards the stage and if you aren’t part of those representing up the front then you’re one of the many packed along the sides, hanging over the rails, rocking your head back and forward and stomping your feet.

Straight up and down this was a punk rock show. From the denim vest clad audience members, to having the sound bleed out of the speakers, these guys play their instruments so fast and furious you just get an electric charge inside. It is rawer in here than a vegans shopping list. Dahlia makes the comment that they are one of the greatest rock n roll bands of all time in this place, and no one could argue with that. Tonight’s set list came at me so quick I could barely catch my breath as I shouted out to tracks like Astro Boy, Backseat of My Car, Fuck You Up and Get High, Get Up and Get High and Let’s Fuck Some Sluts and Get High. It’s all too hard to recall as I think I was high, so don’t trust my word on it, just get out to the show and get to hear it for yourself.

The set felt like it was over before it began but that is punk rock for you. The Sydney crowd tried to coax an encore and even though that wasn’t going to happen, it did end well. When you love music that is fast, furious and brutal it can quite often leave you wanting more but it is what it is and I’m not complaining. I enjoyed myself, I saw a great old school band in a rad venue perfect for this type of show. So now time for you to get out there and catch the rest of the Dwarves tour down under.

Review – Chad

Photo Gallery – Christian Ross