Stuff that happens in backyards:
• Mowing lawns with the Victa
• Pegging out washing on the Hills hoist
• Kids wreaking havoc on the swing set
• The Clark’s pool liner slipping under the clips and allowing all the water to drown the yard when every kid in the neighbourhood gets in for a swim
• Burning snags on the wood fuelled barbecue
• Young Tom getting a black eye from his misdirected bash at the Totem Tennis ball
• The prize lawn turning to slush after three hours of pummelling and soaking from the ‘Slip n’ Slide’
• Auntie Mabel getting her arse stuck between the plastic strips of the outdoor lounge chair
• Guttermouth, The Bennies and The Tearaways playing a gig
• A skate half pipe being constructed under the fruit trees
• Vans skaters showing off their moves
• Free tequila for all

On a steamy, summer’s evening in Melbourne you would normally find the ‘average’ family sitting tentatively around the sun weakened plastic outdoor table setting sipping beers and/or cups of cordial. Dad, as is his right, gets to be master of the tongs for the night and boozily manages to char every piece of animal body part beyond recognition. The catering sized bottle of tomato sauce gets a workout as the family drowns out the taste of acidic charcoal and soft, undercooked sausage innards.

Now move 30 years forwards in time to 2012. Picture said backyard with long benches set out with foil trays of herbed steak and packets of flat bread; the ‘barbecue Nazi’ lining up punks and skaters in orderly fashion, ready to enhance their BYO salad with tender barbecued offerings. In the background the Vans skating team demonstrates its prowess on a temporarily erected, garden sized half pipe. The guests with skateboards are invited to join them for some acrobatic action. The music world’s ‘punkerati’ mingle and network and hope to remember people’s names even though they’ve imbibed a solid amount of free, urine coloured tequila and Red Bull. Three punk bands are there for the invitee’s entertainment, and in God’s own arena they bash out their riffs. Best of all is that the neighbours don’t complain…there’s not a whisper or whimper of neighbourly dissent.

The Bennies (formerly known as Madonna) describe themselves as a party band. This would give one an idea that they’re some kind of daggy wedding performers, but nothing could be further from the truth. Consider that bennies are actually amphetamines and the band’s song lyrics convey that humankind should have fun any which way they can, (even if it’s chemically enhanced enjoyment).

The Tearaways have quite a following amongst the punk subculture, and rightly so. Their punchy ‘no bull’ music is the true essence of the genre, though punters are able to discern characters unique to this band as well as identify some top class influences. It was music to mosh to, but there wasn’t the room to move all that much and, lets face it, after queuing for gourmet barbeque, it wouldn’t have been wise to lose any tasty treats over some poor punter’s head.

Guttermouth were due to play at The Corner that night, but managed to rip out a few faves before guests departed in the $5.00 a trip party bus. Sporting party shirts in honour of the Mexican theme, they blew apart the ¼ acre and made a dream or two come true. How many of us have wanted a band of this calibre to play at our homes? This evening showed such things are possible and the Aussie backyard will never be the same again. ¡Viva la fiesta en el jardín!