Venue: Bergy Bandroom, 64 Sydney Rd, Brunswick VIC 3056

Date: Fri April 26, 2024

Artist/s: The Kittyhawks, After School Care, Dear Matilda, Westall 66

Official blurb

After School Care, a heavy alt/pop punk vibe that’s equal parts Violent Soho and Weezer, yet 100% infectious with tracks like ‘Better’, a driving rock anthem that will be stuck in your head for days.

Next up we have the the boppy singalong energy of punk/pop punk quartet Dear Matilda who just want to make you dance – but if you listen closely, you’re hit right in the feels with personal accounts forged through this rollercoaster life. Their new single ‘Anymore’ kicks off a new direction for the band and does so in a blaze of melodic pop punk glory that will find its way into the hearts of pop punk fans both new and old. 

Emo/pop punk newcomers Westall 66 are here to keep the good times going – coming off the release of their debut EP and the singles ‘The Weekend’ & ‘Leaving Me Behind’, these middle aged stalwarts bring their explosive live show, introspective lyrics and hookiest melodies to the Friday night lights.

The Kittyhawks are our headliners and are sure to bring the show home with an upbeat, boogie ya pants ska punk tour de force. While a brand new addition to Melbourne’s illustrious ska scene ‘The Kittyhawks’ feature several ex-members of beloved ska rogues, Sounds Like Chicken, rounded out with some fresh faces.

If you love your ska forged with a dash of heavy, a smattering of jaunty and extra horney (the brass kind) then you simply cannot miss watching ‘The Kittyhawks’ in action.

Review

A Friday night watching live music is always going to be a good night, but when it’s spent watching four talented acts with one of your best mates, well it’s going to be a great night!

And so it was. The Bergy Bandroom is a great venue. Awesome space, great staff, friendly security, what’s not to like?

Jimmy and I have been mates for 40 years, and even though he’s a bass player from back in the day, he’s still a clever fella. And he doesn’t mind getting dragged out to live gigs with me, so that makes him even better.

He had come to my birthday gig at the same venue to see The Kittyhawks, but he wasn’t feeling great that night and ended up leaving early, so he didn’t get to see them. So when the opportunity came up to do it all again, he was in!

We arrived early and grabbed a feed at Baba Kawker. The food wasn’t astounding, but it was tasty enough, and ensured we had some food in our stomachs to ensure we could go the distance later on.

You can see for yourself some examples of the four bands who entertained us in the images and videos down below. The standout for me was Westall 66. They were super energetic and extremely entertaining. I look forward to going to see them again.

The Kittyhawks impressed as always. This is the third time for me seeing them live, and I can’t get enough. I’m a sucker for a band with horns, and these guys have horns aplenty. Great live act!

We finished off the evening with a kebab, as you do. Huge shoutout to Rexy Kebab. The kebabs were amazing, and the chips were hot and super tasty. Five stars, which had nothing whatsoever to do with the copious amounts of alcohol I had consumed.

After School Care

Listen to After School Care on Spotify

Dear Matilda

Westall 66

Westall 66 take their name from a reported UFO sighting in Australia that occurred on 6 April 1966 in Melbourne, Victoria. The object was observed by multiple individuals, including students at Westall High School. Specific details vary between accounts, which increases the difficulty of identification. The sighting has been commemorated with documentaries, reunions, and a local UFO playground.

Videos

The Kittyhawks

Listen to The Kittyhawks on Spotify

The post The Kittyhawks | After School Care | Dear Matilda | Westall 66 appeared first on Dave Hooper.