This is Heidi's Page, she's here to let you know exactly what she thinks of the bands she sees and who is damn well worth looking at and who ain't. So for the low down on who's good look'n, who's worth seeing and who's not worth getting outta bed for, then read on. If you have something to say along these lines don't hesitate to let us know (here).

Foo Fighters / Queens of the Stone Age / Pearl Jam / Cog / transtar / Silverchair / No FX / Bitchcraft / Lagwagon

Foo Fighers - The Metro Sydney - 19th Oct 2002
Review by Heidi, Photos by Troy
If it wasn't for Suz and Chris, there would have been no chance of seeing Foo Fighters and so being a Virgin Fighter that I was, I was very, very excited. Not only were they going to rock my world but I also knew I would never be the same again. (If only losing your virginity really was like that). I don't think I have ever been so excited about anything in a long time probably cause we only had a couple of days from buying the tickets to going to the show when usually you buy tickets months in advance. So when the night came I swear I nearly wet my pants with excitement (it is like losing your virginity). So then, the hour of fine rock music finally arrived and with just the right anticipation the boys from the Foo Fighters came on stage AND they were fantastic. Now I know all the girls and probably some of the guys have the hots for Dave Grohl, cause he's funny and sexy and cause he's the singer but you really gotta check out the quite ones, the real men behind the band. Chris Shifflet, Taylor Hawkins and Nate Mendall, all blend in perfectly with Dave to make the perfect ensemble of musicians and Chris is really hot too. About 3/4 through though I really just wanted to go home. The adrenalin had worn off and as there is no seating at the Metro (you'd think I was 60 or decrepid), nothing, not even the Foo Fighters, could keep me from wanting my bed. I wouldn't want to change anything though cause the night was absolutely perfect and I had a great time but having the chance to wait for a band you've wanted to see, is a much better idea.

Back to top

Queens of the Stone Age - The Metro Sydney - 23rd Jan 2003
Review by Heidi
They are melodic, they are mesmerising and they are damn good. I actually think that they shit over FFs and so glad that S and I took the Stone Age path instead. It was actually a wonderful, enchanting evening that makes my friends think I’m losing my mind but mount my head on a deer’s cabin wall and call me crazy but I have got the major hots for Josh Homme. He is (in my little day dreaming mind) the hottest guy on earth. They way he moves, the way he shakes his head and the unbelievable drawl that comes out of his mouth is just to die for. I literally gave into everything when I first heard his voice, which overrides any song that he sings on any cd that you’ve heard from Kyuss or Queens. One of the things that I really like about this band is that they all have a go at everything. It makes for a great night being able to see diversity in a band.

Back to top

Pearl Jam - Sydney Entertainment Centre - 11th Feb 2003
Review by Heidi

I have waited nearly ten years to see Pearl Jam and it was well worth it. Eddie Vedder's voice is absolutely amazing, completely mesmerising and the band are just phenomenal. They played for a solid 90 minutes and not only their greatest hits but some of their newest songs as well. They are fantastic to watch.
Now the draw back, the goddamn entertainment centre. If I wanted to see a bunch of adults doing the Mexican wave I would've gone to the Olympics and quoting a Big Brother 2 expat, "Damn, it's great being out of it". Son, why ruin a PEARL JAM concert with bad Australian drugs.
Impressed with Johnny Marr and the Healers. Really great music and worth seeing if you get the chance.

Set List
The Long Road
Grievance
Corduroy
Save You
Get Right
I Am Mine
Immortality
Given To Fly
Evenflow
Wishlist
Thumbing My Way
You Are
Breakerfall
Not For You
Untitled
MFC
Do The Evolution
Spin The Black Circle
Encore Break #1
Love Boat Captain
Betterman
Down
Black
RVM
Encore Break #2
Indifference

Back to top

Cog - The Annandale Hotel - 29 Mar 03
Review by Heidi, Photos by Troy
After a hard day at the Races (Yes it was hard! Hen's day, dressed up in heals and drinking champagne at 11am) I really didn't feel like standing in a crowded bar watching a band but the fact that I knew one of the boys, (who has now become a rockstar) a long time ago in the Bondi days, seeing him play at Beach Road Hotel, was enough to get me there. When I finally walked into the good old Annandale Hotel I completely forgot all about the day or maybe it was the cheap champagne. Anyway, we caught a bit of the support band whom I can not remember their name (champagne) and hung out in the lounge section of the hotel and met none other than the step-dad of the COG drummer who was the nicest, oldest man at the gig but very proud and excited to see his child living his dream. The crowd was anxious for the boys to come on and everyone seemed to be really pumped to see a local band that did good at the 2003 Big Day Out, play at the Annandale. COG finally came on at about 10.45 and it was a great climax into even greater music. Just the sound of the music was enough to get me revved but when the boys sang I even felt it in my belly and that is a great thing when seeing a band. I'm very glad that we chose to go and see COG cause when you are completely skint and really need to be choosy about which band you see, you don't want to be disappointed and I wasn't. I look forward to seeing them again with their new songs, which they are in the process of writing.

Back to top

transtar - The Excelsior - 13th April 2003
Review by Heidi, Photo's by Troy
Transtar are my band, in the way that I have been following them for the last six years and have spent many a drunk night with the founding members, Wade and Franga, I mean Fanga or as the ladies like to call him, Elfangarino. Over the years, the boys have changed members of the group occasionally but that certainly hasn’t hindered their musical or writing talents. They just keep getting better and better with age and experience. Their songs are easy listening, not like the 101.7 Six o’clock rock but more like the way their songs flow and just how damn catchy they are. Meeting in the City, one of their best is a great song and one of those tunes you just can't get out of your head. When they perform they really transform into more than meet the eyes and I don’t just mean chairs. They have a great following and are slowly making their long-time coming way to becoming a very high profile piece (of arse). Yeah boys, you’re hot even though you’ve pashed all the girls. This is definitely a band to catch round the traps of Sydney such as Bar Broadway and The Excelsior and even Wallacia. I can't wait to hear their cd, People against the Sea, which is available at all major stores.

Back to top

 

Silverchair - The Newcaslte Civic Centre - 19th April 2003
Review by Heidi, Photos by Troy

Across the night, it certainly was. Well across town anyway and up to Newcastle for my first ever Silverchair concert. Stupidly I didn't go to their first Ettalong "Zoo" gig when they were fifteen, thinking I'll see them again when they come back. Nah, before I know it, it's ten years later and they are one of the biggest bands in the world. I actually feel quite proud, like my little brother and his mates doing well and even though they are all hot I just can't bring myself to thinking of them that way. The Central Coast is incestuous enough. I had never been to the Civic Theatre before either so it was an all new virginal experience once again. The night started with a few drinks at Wangi Workers (get out a map!) and the entourage really were tossing up between bistro food, a one man band, ping-pong and the pokies. Good thing we went north cause the night was fantastic. Daniel Johns has the best voice I have heard and Chris Johanu and Ben Gillies are just so god damn inspiring. (I so want to learn to play the guitar). It felt like I was just swept away, actually it felt like being at the Bee Gees, (I'm sure one of you gets my analogy) but rock n' roll. They played for over two hours with an intermission in between and contrary to what Suz says, Daniel can dance, I mean his moves are stylish and I love how Chris gets right into the music and playing his guitar. It's also nice to see their girlfriends at a show, gives it that Hollywood (whisky, troubadour) feel. I would definitely go and see them again as long as it was the Daniel, Chris and Ben show, not just the Daniel show.

Set List;
Act 1
After All These Years
World Upon Your Shoulders
Tuna In The Brine
Luv Your Life
Paint Pastel Princess
Petrol And Chlorine
Across The Night
Ana's Song
Miss You Love
Steam Will Rise
Act 2
Emotion Sickness
Without You
Israel's Son
Black Tangled Heart
Do You Feel The Same
The Greatest View
The Door
Freak
Anthem For the Year 2000
One Way Mule
Encore
Asylum
The Lever/Outro

Back to top

NOFX - Sydney Uni - Jan 2002
Review by Heidi
Whenever this band comes out, I am always there. I love NOFX, not particularly the band members and that's saying something for me but the music. I love jumping around in the middle of a mosh pit, slamming up against hot and sweaty men. NOFX were out here for 2002's Big Day Out and played at Sydney Uni Roundhouse the night before. Nobody I know wanted to come with me and they were all like. Who? Fuck off, I'm not going to see a punk band. So thank you Matt and not so thankingly for consuming copious amounts of turkey and coke with me. Now the night started with the Ticket Office thinking we hadn't booked but it didn't take long for them to realise they were sitting in another box awaiting payment of another kind which calmed me down as I was nearly crying thinking I would miss out. We headed in and watched a bit of Frenzal Rhomb, who I am looking forward to seeing now, with their new songs and then headed out to the backyard cafeteria with many a uni student. They finally came on and I was up the front like a flash listening to all my favourite songs. Now I know all of you guys want me to say my favourite song is Liza and Louise but being fisted really doesn't appeal to me. My fav is Bob and I'm sure a lot of you would agree with me. I had a great night and can never go past being apart of a punk mosh. Talk about needing two showers. Now I know that they are not the best band around but they've been round long enough to perform pretty decently, put on a great show and produce some hilarious songs.

Back to top

Bitchcraft - Las O'Gary Hotel, Newcastle - 15th Nov 2003
Review by Heidi
Bitchcraft are an All Girl, Kick Arse punk/rock band from Newcastle and I had the pleasure of seeing them at the Las O'Gary hotel. A very seedy but authentic by the railway tracks pub. Things like Christian Dior are definitely not recommended. I haven't seen a girl band before and I was impressed with these guys. Simone has a huge set of lungs on her and a great voice. Nadia and Kylie on guitars as well as writing the songs, Janice on drums and a new bass player. (sorry, can't remember name). Their lyrics are great cause they are man-hating words that all us girls can relate to. They have put their first cd out called "Ruff as Guts". Little ruff around the edges but worth listening to especially for the lyrics.


Back to top

Lagwagon - The Metro Sydney - 30th Nov 2003
Review by Heidi, Photos by Suz.

Sunday night is the worst night to see a band. Only if you have to go to work the next day though. And it would have been ok if I remembered the band but I can't even tell you whether they sounded good or not or whether there were any hot guys in the band. I just know that I had a great time. Lagwagon or Fagwagon as they have been know on occasion are an off cut of Fat Wreck Chords and have been around for over ten years. This is the first time I have seen them and about the only thing I can tell you is that they make the hot guys dance. No moshing for these babes this is the get down and boogie kind. They even make twenty six-year-old girls pash and dash eighteen-year-old boys. So from the words of my special dancing friend Luke, "they were awesome. I've seen them five times now and they never disappoint. I have to say they have mellowed over the last three albums when their old drummer was booted from the band. A hard shoe to fill especially with the drumming on 'Dub' and 'Trashed' but the old drummer from RKL was an excellent substitute. It seems to me that a lot of the good old punk bands are getting more limp as they get older but for some reason I've grown with the more melodic side of Lagwagon. You just can't help to get into it, whether they are playing live or listening to their new instalment 'Blaze'. Anyway, enough bullshit. The sound was great, good mixture of songs from all their albums and I think a good night had by all. I hope it isn't the last time they head our way. Cheers."

Back to top

Conation - Vic on the Park - Sydney - 13 Mar 2004
Review by Heidi, Photos by Suz
Conation are great, but fantastic if you love hardcore. You've got Jamie on lead vocals and guitar (elbow deep, wiseheimer), Dale on bass and vocals(elbow deep), Heath on guitar and backup (wiseheimer) and Murray on drums as well as a lovely young preggers lady on violin, occasional singing. Not only are they fantastic musicians by pretty cute as well (Not as cute as the drummer from Wiseheimer though) as well as being good old Newcastle boys. Worth every minute of the show.

 

MYC (Mid Youth Crisis formerly known as One Inch Punch) - Vic on the Park - Sydney - 13 Mar 2004
Review by Heidi, Photos by Suz
These guys are a Melbourne band who have been around a long time. Good band to listen too but I just couldn't keep my eyes off the singer. Damn he's hot but you can only look, can't touch as he's married. Doesn't matter cause the music's great and a fun night had by all, except for me who was designated driver back to the coast while passengers slept. Not that I'm whinging. Definitely worth seeing again.

Back to top