It was a pretty decent turn out for a Sunday night in Melbourne when punetrs geared up to see the stoner rock legends, Unida, fronted by Kyuss frontman, John Garcia forge riffs and rhythms together for a night of solid rock ‘n’ roll groove.
Opening act My Left Boot have developed a unique style over the years, going through some changes musically as they progress with new material. Either that or tonight was the time to bring out the big guns. And by big guns I mean a loud, heavy, wall of blissful noise with vocalist Matt Chapman’s high pitched squeal bellowing from the stage.
They are one band who, with each show just keep on improving, fusing together the blues and psychedelic fuzz to bring you an impressive sound that stands alone in a time when so much sounds the same. My Left Boot are a great local act that deserve y support and the tracks off their latest album, Summer Songs, are most impressive in the live context.
New Zealand’s Beastwars have created a name for themselves in Australia in a short period of time. Playing heavy powerful songs of angry sludge metal, the Wellington quartet bashed each tune out at a deafening volume.
To describe Beastwars live show in any certain terms would be doing them an injustice, as it is an experience that needs to be lived out to fully appreciate it. This was their night to make their mark and the punters lapped it up and showered the band with cheers and beers in response to what was a most impressive set of doom inspired metal from the Wellington four-piece.
It was like hearing creepy live nightmares, crawling inside your brain, fucking with it, creating alternate universes inside your temporal lobe. Tinnitus will be your new best friend and accomplice once you have attended a Beastwars live show, guaranteed.
Coming to the end of their Australian tour, Unida’s last show was met with a loyal, grateful and highly receptive audience. From the moment the band came on stage and jumped straight into the first song, the crowd roared with approval.
The American rockers may not have the same amount of fans as Garcias’ previous bands do, but the cult following they have allowed them to be held in high regard.
Garcia’s vocals were in fine form while the rhythm section rumbled along with groovy basslines and four on the floor drumming. Guitarist and purveyor of fine beards, Arthur Seay, delivered a note-perfect display of finely crafted riffs and solos.
Unida don’t tour that often in their native America let alone playing shows overseas so when they chose to make an appearance in Australia, you have to be thankful. It’s not every day that a band of this calibre with no label support, tours our great nation but these guys did it and delivered an incredible set of high energy rock.
Luckily for Melbourne gig-goers, this was the band’s second show in the Australian music capital headlining Cherry Rock only a week earlier.
Once the show was over, the Unida were easily accessible at the merch desk, signing posters and posing for photos, a gracious sign of appreciation to their fans and thanking them for coming out and supporting the band before they head back to California.
