Opening the night was TST, with atmospheric and angular guitar pop songs, dark and moody. Though quite obviously well-written songs by talented musicians, their sound was a little derivative, and nothing I hadn’t heard before (think Mercy Arms, Temper Trap, Children Collide). Some songs shone brighter than others, and though nothing particularly special they were entertaining and engaging none-the-less. I feel there sound to be suited to a smaller club, the ¾ empty NSC not really doing their performance any justice, the energy they did create just sort of fizzled out before any greater amount of people could appreciate it.

Next to play, The Harpoons, lifted the spirits of the slowly thickening crowd. They warmed the night up with their 1960’s surfy pop songs, ingeniously well-written, even Spector would be jealous. Their cover of The Coasters ‘Poison Ivy’ is a favourite of mine, as well as ‘Garden City’, a track managing some air time on Triple R as of late. Though there has appeared to be a slew of band attempting to recreate4 this 60’s pop sound, no one, at least to me, accomplishes this with more authentically than The Harpoons.

Then of course was Sydney’s Philadelphia Grand Jury, armed with their catchy and enthusiastic rock and roll songs, peppered with Easybeats-esque guitar, thick bass riffs and the constant rolling of energetic drums. Usual to this bands set, was their use of a recorded voice, speaking on behalf of themselves, joking and introducing the next song. It was weird, but added some novelty to the night. The Northcote Social Club was pretty packed and happy, as the Philly Jays’ powered through a set with vigour, including of course the crowd ( and Triple J) favourite ‘Going to the Casino’, rousing the crowd even more and getting everyone’s dance on! In a climate where everyone is trying to ‘out-cool’ each other, this band is a breath of fresh air. One thing that could over-shadow this band and their great songs is the novelty that appears to surround them. But, if you want to see a kick-ass rock and roll band, the “Philly Jays” are the way to go, light-hearted, energetic, boisterous and fun.