After giving the Philly Jay’s reformation album, ‘Summer Of Doom’, a spin, I wondered whether the Sydney three-piece, famed for their no-holds-barred, raw rock and roll, were progressing into more mellow, indie territory.
The first show of their album tour (23 October), at Brisbane’s The Brightside, couldn’t have proved me more wrong.
It was cheek-hurtingly obvious that these guys have been itching to hit the stage, and they didn’t mind revisiting their hits. Set opener, ‘Ready To Roll’, was a metaphor for their excitement; MC Bad Genius and Berkfinger burst into the less-than-two-minute favourite, from their debut EP, with reckless abandon.
Second song in, and MC Bad Genius leaped off-stage, manhandling his bass through the crowd with a maniacal intensity. The sweet, indie-pop guitar intro on new track, ‘Bit Of A Bummer’, was swiftly slayed with their iconic, bass heavy riff-rock. ‘Chris Is In A Jam’ has a similar vibe with its dreamy, synth riff.
Their live performance of these new tracks is so high-energy, that it far outdoes the recordings. Berkfinger spent a good deal of time in the audience too; with the majority of onlookers (surprisingly) not opting to experience the interaction through their smartphones.
The crowd were so accommodating; Berkfinger had a little lie down on the floor of the mosh, while punters dangled his microphone chord above their heads.
The climax of his frontman antics was to deep throat his microphone, which really sealed the deal for me: the Philly Jays are back, and they put on the best live show I’ve seen this year.
Philadelphia Grand Jury’s second album, ‘Summer Of Doom’, is out now.
