PerthZine

Tag: lyrics underground

  • Gig Review – Jacobin Caesar Band + Figgy Tuna + Coldspring + Black Swamp Sinners

    Gig Review – Jacobin Caesar Band + Figgy Tuna + Coldspring + Black Swamp Sinners

    Lyrics Underground, Friday May 15, 2026

    Back down the steps to Lyrics Underground on a Friday night, and nothing beats going in blind and seeing what you get. Having not seen any of the bands before, we were in for an interesting night, and some real revelatory moments.

    Walking into the venue, with lights flecking through smoky wisps, it was quite an experience hearing Black Swamp Sinners’ atmospheric guitar with lap-drum percussion. It was quiet, absorbing, and a really fine way to start their set. The drummer then switched to the kit and the duo proceeded to jam, in swampy Jimi Hendrix style, for the remainder of the set. Whatever that lap-drum thing was, more please.

    Coldspring brought things back down to earth with a classic four-piece alt rock sound. With a sound somewhere between late-90s punk and the Aussie vocal-led bands like Camp Cope, they had some catchy tunes and a tight sound. And here’s me seeing the name and thinking they might have been an Offspring tribute. They were not!

    The young lads of Figgy Tuna took to the stage next with some excellent songwriting. With vocals and bass handled up front, and a couple of guitars sharing lead and rhythm duties, the band had a full, energetic sound. The main thing that shone through above everything else was the quality of the songs. The band have been together for four years, forming in high school playing covers at first. Knowing this, we can only say keep at it with the originals and get more gigs under your belt. The potential is well and truly there.

    To the headliners: Jacobin Caesar. The three-piece have a good balance between quirky stage presence and solid songs, with their frontman donning proper over-ear earmuffs for most of the set. Plugged straight into the PA without a guitar amp in sight, the guitar sound was unusual and helped by the excellent songwriting. Imagine a quirkier Creedence mixed with the modern rock acts like Kings of Leon. Definitely keeping an eye on where these guys take this sound. If this is anything to go by, expect bigger things to come.

    Lyrics Underground is a fantastic venue, and good to see some of the younger, up-and-coming bands up on the stage showing us the shape of things to come.

  • Gig Review – This Killing Frost + Elk Bell + Chris Mason

    Gig Review – This Killing Frost + Elk Bell + Chris Mason

    Lyric’s Underground, Thursday, April 23, 2026

    We’re at Lyrics Underground going down to the basement to get out of the rain. This Killing Frost hosted a warm night of stripped-back songwriters that suited the low-lit setting. It’s great to see so much variety in Perth/Boorloo — we just can’t stop discovering new music.

    Opening the evening was Chris Mason, with help from fellow Lunettes alumni Kerry Fletcher. While Fletcher held the rhythm on her acoustic, Mason was free to play a bit looser with his hollow body guitar, and the combination worked well. The songwriting carries a heaviness you wouldn’t necessarily expect from a semi-acoustic duo; the songs would work well with a full indie-rock band. The hooks were unusual, but wrap themselves around you and lock in.

    Elk Bell up next, and she was not afraid to open up and lay herself bare through the music, singing personal songs about loves lost and other battles. The fact she’s not afraid to tell you all the gritty details makes it all the more poignant.

    The singer/songwriter was able to entertain with the music and add plenty of interesting insights in between. She has a couple of strong album releases under her belt, with another on the way. After seeing her play the latest songs live, we’re keen to hear the next chapter.

    Onto the hosts, and the basement setting was perfect for This Killing Frost. Dressed all in black, with Julian Bolleter on piano and Andrew Ewing singing, the pair were engrossing to watch. There are shades of Nick Cave or the likes of Antony, but the sound goes further than any direct comparisons. The piano melodies get very cinematic, and the lyrics follow suit, moving between love songs about secret crushes and grander themes (if love isn’t the grandest).

    Conquer and Divide is a perfect example — the piano sounding almost exorcist-like before Ewing croons about a relationship fading. From a literal beginning (“I think maybe it’s over, we’ve done our 10 years”), the lyrics ascend to gods and iconography like the tower of Babel (communication, that usually gets relationships). The music is intelligent but isn’t afraid to twist and play with its themes.

    Special mention to the between-set music, which kept the mood right throughout. A strong showcase of songwriting talent, and one that more than delivered.

  • Single Review – Showbag!: All I’ve Got

    Single Review – Showbag!: All I’ve Got

    Showbag! are back! After a couple of decades on hiatus, the much-loved Perth/Boorloo indie-rock favourites are returning with shows—and a new album! Not stopping with the exclamation marks, aren’t you excited!

    The first single from the upcoming Waterhouse record, All I’ve Got is pure 90s indie-rock goodness. It’s short, hits hard from the first note, and full of catchy-as-hell guitar melodies. It’s both reminiscent of the past booming indie scene and completely at home in the 20s. Pocketed somewhere between R.E.M. and post-green-day punk, with threads of down stroke rock bands like Pavement, it also has that bop to it that screams 50s American diner.

    The lyrics show nothing has changed since the track first took shape in the 90s—we’re all still full of doubt and need to deal with it through self-deprecation and humour. Has there ever been a better medium than indie-rock?

    Showbag! will be launching Waterhouse on Sunday, April 26 @ Lyrics Underground with support from New Phono + Teen Angst + Ruby Pettit.

    Supported by Igloo Records