Club 299 - Fri Feb 12

Although the calendar hasn’t aligned perfectly for goth rock luminaries Wednesday 13, Friday 12 at The Valley’s 299 sees the band’s cult following turning out in force to witness the return of Mr 13 and his travelling circus freak show of like-minded musicians. Winning the highly coveted support slot for tonight via an online survey, Brisbane’s Devilution play a set to the swelling Friday night crowd in 299. Despite arriving at the decision in an unusual web 2.0 fashion, a more congruent billing could not have been dreamt up. Devilution are sleazy, over-the-top, brazenly fun and tonight, the 299 crowd love it. The material the band take from their latest Nightmare EP excites the punters to no end. The heavy synth lines pulsate from the cavernous stage, coalescing with glam rock choruses and metalcore breakdowns, creating a sexually promiscuous, unholy beast reminiscent of Chinese Democracy era Guns N’ Roses, sans Axl’s ridiculous red dreadlocks. As Devilution leave an appreciative crowd standing in the pit, the drinks continue to flow and the party atmosphere continues to grow as the hour of tonight’s main act draws near. Outlandishly attired and excessively entertaining, Wednesday 13, whose birth certificate reads Joseph Poole, takes to the corner stage of Club 299 with a swaggering self-assuredness, like some kind of graveyard cowboy. With a venomous pout and strut, 13 captains his eponymous band like a ghoulish, potty-mouthed Mick Jagger. Where 13’s flamboyance would overshadow most bands, guitarist J-sin Trioxin, bassist Nate Manor and drummer Jonny Chops hold their own, bringing a visceral energy to 13’s anthemic back catalogue, which the crowd cannot get enough of. All credit must go to Wednesday 13 for putting on a tight rock show, with elements of schlock horror and punk that doesn’t come off as a derivative Misfits tribute-style act.

TOM HERSEY

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