Shoeys, crowd surfers, and circle pit after circle pit after circle pit. Only Zebrahead could bring this much chaos to a Sunday night in Brisbane.
Support came from the Thomas Nicholas Band – yes, that Thomas Nicholas – delivering a slice of late 90s/early 2000s skate pop punk that wouldn’t be out of place on any American Pie soundtrack. There’s an irresistible charm to Nicholas, and with a back catalogue that features the likes of Bowling For Soup and Less Than Jake, the band was a perfect choice to get the Crowbar party started.
Now, onto the main event.
It’s been seven years since Zebrahead last brought their blend of rap, pop punk, and metal to our shores, but you wouldn’t know it, with an enthusiastic crowd refusing to miss a single beat or breakdown.
Whipping through around 20 songs, including a quick Beastie Boys cover and their Pro Skater 3 banger “Check”, Zebrahead wasted no time reminding us all just how good they are. With 13 studio albums to draw from, the setlist touched on plenty, with an impassioned singalong to “Hello Tomorrow” and a wall of death to kick off “Falling Apart” among the many highlights.
Zebrahead’s performance alone makes this a top five gig of the year for me, no doubt about that, but the crowd deserves a honourable mention all their own. The energy was undeniable, one of those nights when you might just believe the band when they say that your audience really was the best one of the tour, and it was a (sweaty, terrible for my knees) honour to be a part of it.
FIVE STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Zebrahead’s Brisbane show wrapped up their current Australian tour, but they promised it won’t be seven years until the next one! Head to their website to stay up to date.
Thomas Ian Nicholas will return to Crowbar Brisbane on Tuesday 14th October for American Pie trivia. Entry is free but the venue recommends booking your spot HERE.
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