Club 299 - Sun Dec 7

New York’s Gorilla Biscuits may not need an introduction to some, but to those not familiar with them, they are a band of godfather-like reputation in the world of hardcore. Originally created in the mid ‘80s, the band reformed a few years ago and on the back of some very successful tours bring their legacy to Brisbane tonight.

While it is a daunting task to stand on the stage before this legendary underground group – whose career has lasted longer than my time here on earth – Reach Out and Values Here either ignore it or use it as a motivational tool and play for their lives. The former gets a great reception for their set of straight-up hardcore numbers, while the latter showcase a melodic slant on the genre that is innovative yet retaining a lot of tradition.

Released in 1987, Gorilla Biscuits’ one and only album Start Today is considered by many to be one of the definitive albums of the second wave of hardcore in the late ‘80s. To see the five middle-aged men who make up the original Gorilla Biscuits line-up proceed to take the energy in the room to another dimension is one thing, but to hear frontman Civ get drowned out by the singing of the crowd is another. It is breathtaking. Beginning with the trumpet intro of New Direction, their set features pile-on’s, mic grabs and good old fashioned stage dives. It hammers home that Gorilla Biscuits are still relevant over two decades on. It is a cathartic, embracing show. One only has to look at the forty or so punters who mob the stage to sing along to closer Start Today to realise that this isn’t just another hardcore show: this is a hardcore celebration.

LINDSEY CUTHBERTSON

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