Last night, The Triffid hosted the Brisbane leg of Ash’s The Singles tour.
While Ash played to our fair city early last year, it has been eight years since they played under the arched roof of the old aircraft hangar turned live music room.The stage is set for Sunshine Coast support act Deadheat, who I'm unfamiliar with. Apparently they usually perform as a self-proclaimed 'four-stud' line-up, but are playing as a trio as Brad Wilshire (guitar, vocals) is MIA due to a recent medical procedure.
Adam Watson (guitar, vocals) has the chops to cover guitar and vocals along with the other usual suspects, Ricardo Mendes (drums) and Drew Ricker (bass). With a no-frills approach they kick off with a cracking opener 'Late Night Kebab' that is followed by 'Fat Wreck' and 'Soundtrack To Our Lives'.
We're invited to scream "beer" during 'Nothing On This Earth'. A few dedicated punters raise their cans each time we yell "beer". 'OK-SO' comes ahead of a love song about getting enough protein in your life – dedicated to a strong-man friend 'Lost Without You'.
Deadheat - image © Clea-marie Thorne
Clearly the lads have been in the game for some as the next song we're told is 12 years old, 'Just Relax' – not sure the beat is relaxing but it is momentous and fun! Our ears are then hit with a bunch of feedback before Watson confesses he just wiped his face off on the microphone. Now that’s punk!
Before their final two songs, Rickers interrupts Watson to give a shoutout to The Triffid and all their staff – Watson butts back in to introduce the next song, 'Now And Forever' keeping the band on track for their set time.
Ending with a rolling momentum of 'The Phils' – a namesake song for Wilshire's and Watson's dads. Drew lets the audience know that Watson's dad is hot – lol. This final song has the enthusiastic ones in the crowd bouncing, and from the applause they're receiving the crowd were very receptive to the Deadheat sound.
The energy is mounting as fans wait for the first sighting of Tim Wheeler (vocals, guitar), Mark Hamilton (bass) and Rick McMurray (drums). After a two false starts, McMurray, Hamilton and Wheeler appear at the end of their comedic taped intro and their presence alone sets the room humming.
With 'Goldfinger' they take a jab straight at our Ash loving hearts from their classic album, '1977'. 'Wildsurf' follows as they maintain a relentless tempo that has the diehard fans bouncing along to the infectious riffs.
Ash - image © Clea-marie Thorne
With a blase swagger, Hamilton thrums his bass making it rumble like a freight train, while McMurray's drumming follows locked on tight like a welded carriage. The hangar is sounding thunderous, a reverberating melodic cacophony as Wheeler's voice cuts through the wall of sound like razor-sharp machete.
The moshpit at the front of the room is like an ocean, there are pockets of dancing bodies while others simply sway. 'A Life Less Ordinary' send shivers of nostalgia as phones capture this intimate moment; as the chorus hits, punters join in and there are hundreds of broad grins around the room.
Ash still possess the ability to perform their perfect blend of punk-rock energy and pop melody that makes them so much fun to experience live. 'Angel Interceptor' is next as more of the crowd lose it! McMurray is smashing his kit with a pent-up energy; I wish it would lift him higher behind his kit as his face is lost behind his hat and cymbals. Hamilton prowls the stage, his bass-swinging moves on-point – such an interesting fellow to watch. He's like a bass Jedi that is one with his axe.
We hear the familiar start to 'Jack Names The Planets' and fans wolf down this infectious throwback. There are even fists pumping as the tempo climbs. Ash work the crowd perfectly, with Wheeler grinning between vocals. The sound is dialled in just right tonight.
Ash - image © Clea-marie Thorne
'Orpheus' has the room thundering again, and as the anthem builds the chorus levels up the mood in the room as the massive hooks sink deep into our ears. The band's tight precision is giving life to every chord and note.
A more recent track comes at us next, 'Race The Night' and hits like salt on a fresh cut. . . spicy! Not to deplete our energy too soon, they give us 'Confessions In The Pool' – its hypnotic groove gives the energetic dancers a short reprieve. Wheeler's vocals soar across the venue as we sway to the rhythms of the bottom end.
'Shining Light' feels like a huge hug. The familiar melody is ageless and fans join as a collective voice that is almost louder than the band. While changing the guitar, love is touted from the crowd toward Wheeler who jokes if we are expecting a marriage proposal sometime during the show – chuckles erupt.
The Ash choir join the band to sing-along to 'Walking Barefoot', that has everyone dancing under an imaginary summer sun, lost in the music of Ash. Wheeler's Flying V is hoisted onto his shoulders for 'Sometimes', bringing a wave of emotion to the room that is introspective, yet the song packs a powerful punch. Wheeler sings the lyrics with raw emotion. The band's dynamic control during this song is absolutely impressive.
The feels are changed up with 'Oh Yeah' as it explodes, peaking the wave of nostalgia that has been swirling in the room. A loud sing-along is happening and fans look to their friends as they belt this one out.
Ash - image © Clea-marie Thorne
'Braindead' takes the tempo to full throttle with Ash parading their best punky chaos that incites more movement in the moshpit. The stage lights match the intensity and rhythm of the beats as they flash.
The energy morphs following fan favourite 'Kung Fu'. When it dropped the place went a little bit bonkers. Short, sharp and full of passion, this song has fans shouting along to the lyrics that pay homage to Bruce Lee, Mr Miagi and Jackie Chan.
The set would not be complete without the highly anticipated, iconic single known to probably every man and his dog – 'Girl From Mars'. Fans lose their marbles all over the floor for this one.
It could have ended there and we would have been happy but why, when there's time for Ash to give up an encore? They duck off for a bit, but the crowd's not having it and their absence is brief. Maybe enough for them to slurp, pat off some of the sweat with a towel and high tail back onstage.
The encore starts with 'Crashed Out Wasted', a gritty track that keeps our adrenaline pumping and is well placed ahead of their fiery banger 'Burn Baby Burn' to end the night on a rolling high for fans. It's the perfect way to wrap up the night – chaotic, loud, and full of frantic passion.
The dim lights shine on Ash as they come to the front to take a bow, hand out a few souvenirs and leave us in the wake of live show. Fans received everything they could want from a live Ash show as they proved they're still a red-hot rocking act to catch, years into their career. What a bloody ripper of a night.
More photos from the concert.
