They don't call it the Neon Ballroom Tour for nothing. Silverchair - the four Newcastle boys who left a near-capacity crowd drooling at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre last night - went all out with dazzling mirror balls and fluorescent stage lighting in true glam rock style.
But not even the glitzy stage could overpower the presence of singer Daniel Johns as he strode calmly on to the stage, took the microphone and broke into the first song Emotion Sickness.
But the mosh pit did not fully acknowledge their idols had arrived until the classic guitar riff of Israel's Son echoed over their heads.
A few songs later and Ana's Song revived a tiring crowd.
Dodging an onslaught of Coke bottles and seductive glances from a predominantly female audience, silverchair kept the mosh pit writhing all night.
But, despite the elaborate sets and flashing strobes, there were only two words to describe the Neon Ballroom Tour: damn loud.
The three-hour concert did not go off quite as planned with main support act Placebo cancelling at the last minute.
But if anyone was disappointed they did not stay that way for long.
The bout of (severe) tonsillitis which kept Placebo singer Brian Molko confined to bed in turn cleared the stage for a lessor-known Melbourne trio.
Pre-Shrunk stretched to the occasion, playing a full 60-minute set of bass guitar-driven funk and rock.
The two innovative bass players and their bare-foot drummer, Justin Dwyer, ignited a volatile mosh pit with frenzied bass riffs and an equally crazed light show.
The third song of their set, Road Rager, demonstrated the unique ability of a bass guitar to simulate a revved up Torana, while Dwyer kept up a constant, yet flashy, beat throughout.
Before rounding off the hour with the lengthy instrumental Accelerate, they unleashed their latest single Hot Robots.
The song keeps their trademark heavy rock that adds distorted robotic style vocals.
Pre-Shrunk is well worth a look-in at Triple J's upcoming Turn Up Your Radio Tour.
The Courier Mail - (August 16, 1999)
Alison White
- Copied exactly from original article.
BNE Aug 15 Review - Redhead Cat
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