After a few months break from their extensive tour cycle, COG are finally back and playing at their home in Sydney’s Coogee Bay Hotel. But have they gone a little rusty since their last tour? Dave Roberts takes his grease – just in case.

Chances are if you are reading this, you are one of two people – people who love COG and are keen to see what I have to say about the band's return gig for 2010, or you are someone who has, until reading the last two paragraphs, thought that a COG was merely an instrument used in machinery. And no matter which you are, I guarantee you’re going to get something out of this review. Partially because the band are awesome in every way shape and form live.

Actually mostly because of that.

But let’s back up to 2009, in fact this was the last time I saw COG live, at the same venue. I was there with a mate of mine who practically introduced the band to me, his girlfriend of the time and my ex-girlfriend who had never heard of COG up until that night. That night I was impressed immensely not only by the support acts but by the band themselves – and I was merely up on the mezzanine level, warding off drunkards (apparently I seem to attract this sort of people at gigs) and getting a little lost in the music. The lighting was awesome, the sound was fantastic and the guys were professional.

Come 2010, and nothing has changed at all. The opening act Over Reactor was different, and honestly weird, but in a good way that made people sit up and take notice. Partially because of the distinct lack of guitarists and other band members on stage, partially due to the lead singer’s unbelievable stage presence that would make Iggy squirm, and partially due to the hypnotic and slightly disturbed images coming from the on stage TVs. Either which way the duo was fantastic, and served their purpose as a warm up act quite well.

The second support After The Fall is a band I’ve seen before, and seemed somewhat out of place at this concert. The band was a little too metro/emo-esk for this gig, however I will say kudos to COG for putting some people on who are not exactly the same style – hopefully to draw their crowd and steal them across to the COG fanbase. They too had a highly polished sound, and are probably one of the more well known and well achieved pop-rock acts from Aus, with songs like "Concrete Boots" and "Mirror, Mirror" in their set list it was a guarantee that everyone would be singing along.

However, undoubtedly and unsurprisingly, it was COG who stole the show. Once Lucius, Flynn and Luke graced the stage under the laser light show, the fifteen-hundred strong crowd went ballistic. Now, for those of who have read my U2 review, you will remember me mentioning the crowd volume at U2 compared to the volume at other gigs. This was one of those other gigs. Full of ‘I’ve been listening to them since…’ fans, the crowd reaction was strong, if not arguably aided by beer and spirits. It was also one of the few concerts I’ve been to where there was no barrier between the stage and us – possibly because of the height of the stage.

The sound and lighting was fantastic, even if the vocals weren’t exactly blasting out to us, probably a self-inflicted side effect of our proximity to the stage, they were easily replaced by the before mentioned crazy fans singing loudly and proudly. The lighting guys were on it all night, syncing with the music perfectly, lasers going off in every direction and with the aid of smoke, creating eerily supporting mood lighting for each song as required.

By the time it was all over, we were all treated to songs both new and old, including the song now seen on TV "Run", some old favourites and my personal favourite "Are You Interested?" But as all of the loyal readers know there are a few pet hates I have. One has already been mentioned (drunkards ruining things for everyone else) and, dear readers, I have developed a brand new one post this concert.

If you are a female, standing in the middle of the mosh pit, I’m going to say it out right. "Deal With It". Now that might sound harsh and slightly bigoted, but let me explain. My friend and I were kind enough to let two girls stand in front of us (right on the stage mind you) because we realised they were not having the greatest time in the middle of the large burley men all jumping, sweating and shoving in all directions. This was partially due to the look on their faces and the overhearing of ‘It’s so hot, Oh My God.’ Now, we wouldn’t have minded leaving the girls in front of us if they hadn’t proceeded to "Dirty Dance" (at a rock show none-the-less), and push my friend and I away from the stage. And when we decided to move a little closer, you know back to our original spots, the look we received was one of contempt and said ‘stay the "Hell" away from us.’ So the hate is three fold: dirty dancing at a rock concert, whinging about proximity and heat of the pit, and then giving someone the dirty because they are 'too close'.

In a mosh pit.

Regardless off that, and the drunkards, the gig was brilliant. I don’t often get to see my favourite acts more than once every few years, so this for me was such a treat. The boys played and performed amicably, with no problems or technical difficulties. They proved once again how good they were at live shows, and even with the synths and layered sounds they place over each other in the studio, the band managed to sound better live than on the album.

I’m extremely glad that I’ve seen my favourite Australian band twice, and both times they have not disappointed. Their sound is still strong, and their light shows and performance aspect is different enough to make them unique in every way shape and form. I’m glad that they are back in full flight, and I’ll leave you with a little gem I managed to overhear from one of the officials hanging around the place on the night.

New album. Next year.

Image courtesy of Amy Lee Freshwater, retrieved from http://www.theaureview.com/photos/the-au-gallery-cog-after-the-fall-coog...