Etched into my memories from the '90s is a particular album cover. It shows a fast food restaurant demolished and a large 'M' sitting in the rubble. The album cover reads 'Not So Tough Now'.
Friday night (23 May) would see Frenzal Rhomb return to Gold Coast as part of their A Man's (Still) Not A Camel 25th anniversary-ish regional-ish tour; and Miami Marketta was packed to capacity.The venue, known for its mix of food stalls and live music within a warehouse-style space, took on a more chaotic energy as fans crowded shoulder to shoulder, ready for a night of punk and metal mischief.
Opening the night was Crave Death, a metalcore band from Brisbane whose set pushed into new territory for some of the crowd and this reviewer.
With deep growls, down-tuned guitars, and slow, punishing riffs, their sound drew influence from hardcore and doom, bringing a thick wall of noise that felt both deliberate and intense. Filling in for regular vocalist Candice was Matthew Budge from Resin Tomb, and he delivered a guttural, full-throttle set that cut through the sludge.
It may not have been the punk opener some were expecting, but it brought a heavy, determined energy that kickstarted the night.
Crave Death - image © Radical Imaging
A massive illustration from the 'A Man's Not A Camel' album lit up the stage, setting the tone before a note was played. The Leonardo da Vinci-inspired dromedary signalled that we were about to get one hell of a show.
Then came the main event: Frenzal Rhomb with Jason Whalley on vocals, Lindsay McDougall on guitar, Michael 'Dal' Dallinger on bass, and Gordy Forman on drums.
They stormed the stage with their signature speed and sharp humour. Gordy's drumming was relentless, and the mid-song banter matched the snarky energy of the set.
Frenzal Rhomb - image © Radical Imaging
There was plenty of back-and-forth between songs, with Jason and the rest of the band tossing insults, inside jokes, and commentary out into the crowd.
The set drew from decades of Aussie punk rock and delivered it with the pace and precision only a band with this kind of mileage could manage. There was plenty of love for 'A Man's Not A Camel'.
We got 'Russell Crowe's Band' (luckily he's not in town at the moment), 'Mr Charisma', 'I Went Out With A Hippy & Now I Love Everyone Except For Her' and 'Bucket Bong' (don't try this at home kids, Frenzal are trained professionals) just to get started.
Frenzal Rhomb - image © Radical Imaging
We even got a tribute to a race horse as the crowd roared "Go Frenzal go!". 'Let's Drink A Beer' was met with a hearty "cheers!" from a crowd who clearly already had the mission well underway.
Then came a dive into 2011 album 'Smoko At The Pet Food Factory', with the screeching chaos of 'Bird Attack' swooping in like a magpie in breeding season. Half the room looked like they'd been transported back to being chased through the park on a BMX.
We also got more of their recent chaos with '5000 Cigarettes' and 'When My Baby Smiles At Me I Go To Rehab,',both delivered with the same frantic energy that's become Frenzal's trademark.
Frenzal Rhomb - image © Radical Imaging
One standout moment came with 'Mummy Doesn't Know You're A Nazi'. Written over a decade ago, the song's bite hasn't dulled. If anything, its message feels even more relevant in 2025, calling out the kind of internet edge-lords and couch-bound provocateurs who seem to thrive in today's digital echo chambers. Frenzal doesn't do subtle, and that's exactly what makes moments like this hit so hard.
As things came to a head, we were hit with a punch in the face of punk goodness, literally and figuratively, with 'Punch In The Face' a highlight from 'Not So Tough Now', the album that kicked off this review and put Frenzal on a lot of our musical radars.
The closing run also delivered 'Never Had So Much Fun' and it rang true; this was one of those sets where fun, chaos, and nostalgia collided.
Frenzal Rhomb - image © Radical Imaging
There were plenty of sing-alongs throughout the night, especially during the older tracks. Songs from 'A Man's Not A Camel' and 'Not So Tough Now', both over 25 years old, still landed with full force. These albums have clearly stood the test of time – raw, funny, and still as punchy as the day they were released.
Aussie punk rock has always had a sharp tongue. It's irreverent. It takes the piss. It doesn't ask permission, but underneath the jokes, the speed, and the swearing, there's a core message that's held steady: don't be a dickhead. For decades, Frenzal Rhomb have been right there reminding us of exactly that. Loudly.
More photos from the concert.
