I heart hiroshima - Hopetoun Hotel Surry Hills

Thursday 13th September

I have been really keen to see these guys after getting a taste at the Essential Festival way back in April.

And to support they had fellow Brissy band Skul Hazzards and Sydney band Amy Meredeth.

Just caught a bit of Skul Hazzards, pretty loud indie rock. Then on comes the local lads with what turned out to be a pretty big fan base for the boys with the big hair and 80's flaire. Lots of the punters looking like they got caught in an 1984 cyclone in kmart or best and less all singing along and all with funky hair.

They were actually pretty cool, if you could get past the lead guitarist standing on stage looking into the crowd with mouth open acting like a porn star. But hey this band had some great tunes. Think Ride, splashes of Stone Roses, a touch of Depeche Mode and a dash of New Order disco, and well I love a little Brit pop. Or maybe Im completely wrong?? I might need to check these guys out again, the Prince looking frontman was oddly appealing.

And now for I heart Hiroshima.

These guys from Brisbane rock, I love em, they got some great catchy tunes and remind me of Electrelane, some very early Magic Dirt and bits of Boss Hog. There is something very sexy about a singing female drummer!! (And Ive seen 2 this year - Love of Diagrams at Spectrum being the first).

And while the drummer Susie Patten and guitarist Cameron Hawes were keen to put on the show, the other singer/guitarist Matthew Somers found it hard to focus on the job at hand, having consumed one too many tasty beverages with the guys from Skul Hazzards while waiting to play being a huge factor.

The continual sound checking and tuning of his guitar and amp was very frustrating, both for the audience and the other band members and really didnt look the best for a band launching their CD 'Tuff Teeth'. The continual banter between Matthew and the now very annoying members of Skul Hazzards standing in front of him yelling was very boring!

But, when they played and Matt did manage to remember he was here to play a gig and launch a CD, this group were surprisingly tight and there were more glimpses into what is to come of these guys.

Next gig, leave your mates back in Brissy Matt and follow the lead of your fellow band members!!

Was also great to be at the Hopetoun, what a tops Sydney venue, 3 to 4 live bands a night 7 days a week. LOVE IT