You know a band has some serious energy, if halfway through a song you have to get closer to the stage to do a head count. Teen Archer are a local four piece, who even with one member off-stage for a few songs, were louder than a room full of preps out of their minds on red cordial and fairy bread.

Their music is straight and to the point, their guitarist's Black Flag t-shirt demonstrates an unapologetic love of fast and heavy music. Teen Archer wear their influences on their sleeves (their myspace lists The Stooges and Australian punk legends X as favourites) but they do so in a way that moves beyond mere imitation. One listen to their furious and unquestionably Australian vocals and there's no confusing them with any other band. While more pop-minded music fans may find the lack of catchy choruses intimidating, one look at the Curtin bandroom's crowd showed that they aren't just for stereotypical leather jacket and mohawk types.

Teen Archer put on a show that's a hell of a lot of fun, and that alone should be enough to recommend them to everyone and their mother.

The Priory Dolls have one of Melbourne's most dedicated fanbases, and deservedly so - they've played great shows for years. For the regulars, a Priory Dolls show is like a reunion, there was a real sense of community and friendship between the band and the crowd, which in the less-than-always-friendly world of music was a welcome change.

The set was a blend of old and new, audience favourites 'Jack of the Morning Sun' and 'Poison Arrows' had the audience moving in time, and the new material was a well-received exploration of some dark and psychedelic territory. The affect was well assisted by keyboardist Tyson Slithers, whose strange and malevolent melodies sound like something Willy Wonka might listen to when he really wants to get crazy.  Drummer Erin Taylor holds  a commanding presence in the band, a rarity among rock drummers in that she's capable of both nuance and power while still keeping the rhythm together. With an upcoming residency at Ding Dong Lounge with The Process next month, The Priory Dolls are set for bigger things.