OFFSHORE 99
Torquey, Victoria (near Bell's Beach), 2nd-4th April 1999
by Steve

28 days were the first band i saw on friday and they did not impress - the kids seemed to like it, though. game over were next and weren't really all that good (they're not up my alley). highlights of friday night were custard and the cruel sea, who blew me away completely. the stage presence of tex perkins is equal to that of anyone anywhere in the world. custard were a hoot with dave mccormack his usual jovial self, talking about 'showing the kiddies a thing or two in their bedrooms', which was quite funny. custards set consisted of all their classics and a few new tracks from the new album. the cruel sea came out and did their thing to the point of perfection - a perfect set with a perfect ending with an encore (!) of the honeymoon is over. josh abrahams finished off with an ok set.

saturday night was, all in all, an average night of music so i decided to piss on. i drank for a while and by the end of the night i was pissed off my nut. shihad were a highlight - they were in fine form, drawing a set from new and old tracks. moler played pretty well, playing some new tracks from their as-yet-unrecorded album. the fauves were, really, hot tonight with andy cox his usual chatty self talking ridiculously about how he was sponsored by a food stall at offshore. guttermouth were, surprisingly, quite good (i prolly say that cos i was so drunk by the time they came on i would have enjoyed anything). lead singer was dressed in nothing but boxers and asked the girls in the crowd to throw up their bras so he could wear one. it didn't happen. something for kate were on next and showcased a lot of their new album, and also played some old stuff from their debut album. they played an excellent set that was a good reminder that they are one of the best bands in australia. i didn't bother sticking around for the crap of blink182, but i was told that they were as shit as i imagined they'd be and showcased most of their new album....

sunday night was the best night of music, but i passed out during ben harper and can't remember anything after the blues explosion.gerling came out and did their thing - a mix between guitars and electronic sounds. beaverloop were next with their great sounds and played a really tight set of stuff off their new album and some stuff off the old ep's. pollyanna played a great set of new stuff and some old stuff and impressed greatly. celibate rifles are old and tired and generally sucked. the jon spencer blues explosion were the best band at offshore by a mile and proved themselves. an incredible set of new tracks and old with jon in his usual beserk mood. i have nothing else to say other than the blues is #1 and are fucking incredible! blues explosion! regurgitator, apparently, played some new stuff from their next album, but i can't remember them at all (too much vodka, eh?). ben harper was apparently the highlight of the festival, but i unfortunatly missed him due to the fact that i drank too much and passed out. i can only imagine how good he would have been.

offshore 99 rocked. can't wait for 2000!!!