Reviews

I'd been looking forward to this night for some time, and asked why, I couldn't really give a definitive answer. It was just the same bands I've seen heaps of times before and although it was Riot City's first Birthday, it still wasn't reason enough for me really to be excited. Maybe it was the fact it was at the Harp and knowing I'd be very drunk with quite a few mates, but whatever the reason, the night lived up to expectations.

The afternoon began in downtown Bulli, the renowned coal mining suburb of Wollongong. Hopped on a train and by the time we stopped at Coal Cliff (funnily enough also a coal mining suburb) the Wollongong crew had grown to five - Pete, Kate, Jemima, Ned and I. We got to Tempe train station and there was Vic, Ben, Sal, Lizzy and Steph waiting - at last the reception I deserved. We proceeded to the Harp hotel to find only a few recognisable faces, but it was still very early. Beers were had and people filtered in, many regulars, but also many new faces, which was good to see. By the time the first band (Bagster) played I was pretty drunk, having had a drink in my hand since the early afternoon. I was able to appreciate the Bagster set though, even in my drunken state. A year or so ago I didn't really like Bagster, but now I enjoy seeing them. Strange really, because I've seen them enough times to be bored of their songs.

Backy Skank were up next and I must be honest, I was rather disappointed. Not because I didn't enjoy their set, but unlike usual they had no fill in members to introduce us to. Sure Tim was filling in on drums, but we've seen him before. If you have a bench like an American football team, I say use them. Anyway, they played a sterling set and got heaps of people dancing as usual. Sweat was dripping from the 100+ people in the small venue as BS belted out their trademark catchy songs - eye candy and waste of space being highlights.

The focus of the night was not on Backy Skank though, it was on me. No actually it was on Riot City and their achievement of getting through a year in quite a lukewarm period for Sydney ska. It was also Torrin's final gig, so anything but a great performance would have anti-climax written all over it. It wasn't the case though - and they played to a receptive, drunk and boisterous crowd, even moreso than usual. I was called a skinhead girl by Marv before, you guessed it, skinhead girl. Adding that to the watermelon head call in Melbourne, I'd say Marv is two up on me, but I'm pretty confident of coming up trumps. And even if I don't, I still have my youth. (Insert evil laugh here). Part of their set inluded a pioneering of a russian influenced original, which was, interesting... Hilton AKA Lister AKA Boss Culture AKA Chuddy got up to play bass for this one and will play bass in future shows. (http://notlih.topcities.com is his page. you may recognise the name on dizzybeat, check out our photos page). Another highlight of the set was Simon Backy Skank getting up to sing Night Boat to Cairo, providing me with something different to say in a review of Riot City.

All in all a great night was had, it by no means ended there, but the review does.

Things worth mentioning:

• The Harp, what a great pub
• New faces, it's refreshing to see fresh faces enjoying the music we all love and have loved for some time.
• Old faces, seems it is possible to find a babysitter in Sydney after all!
• Riot City's live CD. only 100 were pressed, audio and mutimedia, a good momento.
• Signs that Riot City may continue and not implode as has been the case of a few ska bands lately.

Nuff said
Glen.

Thanks to Glen at Dizzybeat for this review.