A solid, tidy line-up of bands was more than enough reason to venture out on a chilly night, slurp some beers and cosy up with some bright and bouncy guitar rock. A small venue, The Excelsior was full of people gradually taking off their layers of clothing. Something about keeping each other warm also contributed to the general cheeriness of the evening.

Perth's Golden Staph opened the night with a grimy jolt, their frontwoman's intriguing (infectious? Please appreciate the terrible pun) vocals a crowd favourite. The people next to me were also talking about how much they liked watching the great drummer. The band were in the middle of a short run of popular shows around Sydney, being quite new but consisting of members of familiar bands in their local scene.

Much-loved Sydney locals Straight Arrows and Dead Farmers can be relied on for a good show. The Arrows were full of scruffy, energetic banter and fun, bratty riffs. The Farmers (who also recently released their debut album) are consistently bold and compelling, their music's chugging pulse aiding the rising temperature in the room. 

Super Wild Horses have been stomping around Melbourne and interstate a fair bit already, and even have a song on a Bonds commercial. So the release of their debut album, Fifteen, was a welcome cause for celebration. Onstage, the two ladies are spunky and charming, their toe-tapping garage romps bringing a few folks down the front to dance.

It's mostly innocent, rough pop fun, but their sound has matured. So in between the drums, guitars, and sharp vocals (the duo are good singers too) there is some real melodic scope. It was all over too soon! Luckily, with a Repressed Records in-store performance the following day, fans or newcomers could experience the band again, as their reply value and ability to grow on you is as contagious as their music.