Last night The Menzingers played The Triffid in Brisbane.
It's their first time back since being one of the last international acts to play down under before COVID shut it all down for what seemed to be an eternity. Remember that?!The Menzingers again paired up with Brisbane punk legends The Cutaways, who ensure any punters in the room not familiar with their music understand within seconds they're a musical force to take notice of.
They do this by cracking our earholes wide open to their blistering opener and while it sounds familiar, I don't know the name of the song but it hammers (I asked a fan later who tells me it was 'Here With You'. Cheers, bud!).
The Cutaways - image © Clea-marie Thorne
I smile as I recognise the next one, 'Flags' from the album of the same name and 'Dislocated'. I feel the energy in the room rising as the body movements get looser and some punters are now singing along. More mouths open to add vocals to 'Wax Woman' and some hectic riffage.
Before blasting their way through 'In The Street' and 'Muscle In' we are all asked if we have to work tomorrow and if we saw them play with the headliners at the Crowbar – let's just say a long, long time ago. Many cheers responded to the last question making sure everyone around them knew they could claim seeing that gig.
The chugging, melodic tones of 'Aches' gives way to another song, but not before Emmy promises they will not talk about their self or their problems like they usually do – stating "I'm not going to do it!"
The Cutaways - image © Clea-marie Thorne
We all laugh and The Cutaways launch into 'Dead Name', but it is the double deal of 'Cannon Ball' and 'Millions' that has the drums getting smashed and riffs coming at us that steal the set.
Even with a guitar malfunction there is always a Scout around (this one is in the band) and Emmy was kept in guitar riffing action with a trusty steed that had been sitting in the wings all tuned and ready to punk & roll – just chomping for a chance to star in the set. The Cutaways fulfilled their job with contest, leaving us lusting for more live punk rock action.
A chat, a drink and a visit to the loo – I am ready for the headliners. Not kept too long, the band make their way on to a dark stage. Within seconds Tom May (vocals, guitar) literally jumping the band straight into 'Try', the anthemic rock pearler from The Menzingers seventh album 'Some Of It Was True'.
May and Eric Keen (bass) are bounding around with all the energy of five year olds on a red cordial sugar rush! Greg Barnett (vocals, guitar) and Joe Godino (drums) show us all the 'Good Things', which starts off slow and moody before the vocals do a 180 and punch you in the face.
The Menzingers - image © Clea-marie Thorne
Barnett and Godino also convince me they too are bringing the energy to the frenetic party that has erupted inside the venue. Keeping the music flowing they play 'Anna' that brings electric feels of nostalgia that zaps me to a place and time of young love.
Before the next song, we are asked who in the crowd saw them last in 2020. Many scream out in the affirmative and they all got a "thank you, for being here" tonight. I thought we were getting a Big Country cover or jazzed up Scottish folk song with 'House On Fire' – I swear you could swap out the guitar solo with a bagpipe solo. Love it!
'Hope Is A Dangerous Little Thing' comes at us with its punchy chorus line. This one is a real punk-rocker that fans are cutting sick to and singing their lungs out. I'm loving this live, especially as the guitars get a lift in the live mix – it's so very tasty.
'Tellin' Lies' makes no bones about where it is headed from the outset. It has all the elements of a great punk banger, inciting a sing-along and I can't help but join in as well as to 'There's No Place In This World For Me' that invites a cathartic yell-along. It certainly is a track you should add to your comfort playlist – the one you pull out when you are at odds with yourself and the world around you.
The Menzingers - image © Clea-marie Thorne
The Menzingers keep 'em coming and are right into it mixing the old with the new, and fast-paced, high-energy tracks with anthemic numbers that feed the crowd with the likes of 'Last To Know', 'Gates' and one that raised the roof and shook the walls 'America (You're Freaking Me Out'.
Well I thought that was the highlight until we bleed sweat for 'I Don't Wanna Be An Asshole Anymore' – clearly an Aussie favourite. 'Burn After Writing' has even more fans towards the back of the mosh bouncing on the spot and the rest of us faux bouncing on the balls of our feet while we move our butts side to side.
They then rip up the stage with 'My Friend Kyle', 'Lookers' and the ode to friendship 'Thick As Thieves' ahead of 'Come On Heartache' – a new song off the latest album.
I reckon May spent way too much time with the kangaroos he told us about seeing this afternoon, either that or he was a bunny in a previous incarnation or maybe even pogo sticks up his jeans! He's an unstoppable bounder.
'The Obituaries' is backed up by the feels of inevitable change that come along with 'Nobody Stays' and its crushing edginess. "Nobody stays. No feeling is final," couldn't be a truer neutral statement for all and sundry. Such is life.
The Menzingers - image © Clea-marie Thorne
'After The Party' might shine a light on the highs and lows of a relationship, but it's instrumentally a cracker that seeps into your pores while the whole room is a choir for the band – the smiles on the faces of The Menzingers' tells us they're enjoying this shindig just as much as us.
For our encore calls for "one more song!" we get 'Irish Goodbyes' a melodic rip-snorter and the super-sweet sounds of 'Casey' to close out the night. The buzz didn't leave with the fading last notes of the night – it followed me all the way home.
The Menzingers were a torrent of relentless energy from beginning to end, not even giving themselves a chance to catch their breath, which they clearly didn't need to, to let loose and give us an exciting and memorable live experience.
May and Barnett are excellent at sharing the lead vocals and their voices are well matched to the songs they take ownership of, not to mention their harmonies together are on-point.
The Menzingers - image © Clea-marie Thorne
Keen at his leisure joined in the jumping and bounding while not missing a thrump on his axe or chilled to the side in a most funky way, while keeping Godino in check on the drums. Together he and Godino held the back end tight with Godino wielding the wood ruthlessly in the all the right places and moderating it for the feels as needed.
The Menzingers are definitely a live act first and foremost. Yes they make and sell albums, but their ability to harvest punk-rock bangers that are true to the genre, but also divert when the lyrics or feels call for it, then bring all that emotive creativity to a live show, is what is devoured by fans and treasured the most.
More photos from the concert.
