Saosin
Soundwave – Melb Showgrounds, Fri 29th Feb, 2008
Great Hall. Was packed, when we checked out a few songs from way up the back. Good sound, amazing vocals.
Salmon Guts / Kim Salmon/ & the Surrealists
Big Day Out - RMS, January 1995
Not sure I caught Kim here actually…but he did play.
Rock Above the Falls - Lorne, NYE 1995
I think this was early Kim Salmon? He must have been a local as he played at Lorne a lot. I am sure I would be more appreciative of his sound now. (Must find some ;)).
Scary Kids Scaring Kids
Soundwave – Melb Showgrounds, Fri 29th Feb, 2008
Bought and liked their album before SW, but I can’t remember if I caught them here?
The Screaming Trees
Big Day Out - RMS, January 1995
These guys rocked. The underrated big sound Seattle band. On Sweet Oblivion tour.
Sevendust
Soundwave - RMS, March 2011
I was with Boof & Slug and they wanted to see these guys. I stayed for a few songs, but left to catch some Monster Magnet on main stage. Not my thing at all.
Shihad
Karova Lounge, Ballarat, Thursday Feb 14th 2008
Good show, though they didn't play Run which was a favourite song of mine at the time.
- Played with: Horsell Common, The Galvatrons.
- Souvenirs: Tour poster (with date written on).
silverchair
Big Day Out - RMS, January 1995
Were on small stage on back of truck (RRR I believe). Absolutely crazy. By this time Tomorrow was #1 and the area was packed, inc many people on the roofs of surrounding sheds. Some people even stage-dived off the sheds into the pit. Unbelievable to watch.
Slash
Adelaide Soundwave, 22nd Feb, 2015
Unfortunately, we missed the first few songs, (and it looks like Night Train was among them). But we did arrive in time for You Could Be Mine and then to see the bass player for The Conspirators sing Dr Alibi and a belting version of Welcome To The Jungle. The set was good, with the Guns 'N' Roses songs being fantastic. It was so cool to be able to watch this from so close, cold beer in hand. What a show. One of my favourites (and up there with Lagwagon as 2nd fav for the day).
The Smashing Pumpkins
Adelaide Soundwave, 2ndt Feb, 2015
The event of the day we were waiting for and they did not disappoint. I was so glad they were on the 'metal stage' (as Slipknot were on the main stage), as the sound there was the best. They sounded great and played quite a lot of heavy tunes, many of which I had never heard. Whilst I wanted to hear some of the older songs, I was very impressed with the new stuff by these guys. of the known bands that played new music, it was The Smashing Pumpkins new songs I wanted to seek out immediately. (And as such, i just did a JBNow mixed tape of their setlist ;)). I did get to hear Bullet With Butterfly Wings, Zero and a non-acoustic version of Disarm so that was cool. Mar, Shane and I watched from beside the mixing tent; Blair was up the front AND got the setlist. Awesome effort! Brad Wilks (he of Rage Against the Machine) was awesome on drums too. Great way to finish the 2 day Soundwave, as this was probably the best overall performance.
Soundwave - RMS, March 2011
Left New Found Glory to catch a couple of Slash’s songs on the main stage. I caught the last 1/3 of Sweet Child O’ Mine (wish I had left just that little earlier), Slither (a Velvet Revolver song) that didn't really grab my attention, and then the closer, Paradise City. Very glad I got to see this. Have always loved that song. Myles Kennedy was the singer. I think The Conspirators were his touring band.
The Smith Street Band
Karova Lounge, Sunday 23rd March, 2014
These were great. Had the crowd going. Lots of sing-a-longs. Young Drunk was a stand out and a song I then got into. My favourite at the time though was Why I Can't Draw. Best pub gig I had seen in years and among the best ever (esp considering the price).
- Played with: The Menzingers & Grim Fandango
- Went with: Shane. (Saw Joe Durie there).
- Souvenirs: Ticket ($25); Tour Poster; Windcheater.
Snout
Sev festivals inc Big Day Out - RMS January 1995
I know I liked a few of their songs, but names escape me now. Cro-magnon man?
Social Distortion
Soundwave - RMS, March 2011
After cancelling on the last Soundwave I went to, it was great to finally see these guys. They had just put out a new album, but played an excellent ‘greatest hits’ set finishing with an awesome version of Johnny Cash’s Ring of Fire. Very impressed w Mike Ness. Humble front man. One of the memorable sets for the day.
Soundgarden
Saw the whole set from inside front half. They teased me with the intro for Searching With My Good Eye Closed before launching into Spoonman. (No Jesus Christ Pose either). But they did play Drawing Flies, Ty Cobb and I've Been Away Too Long; 3 songs I wanted to hear. A version of Birth Ritual was also a surprise and Slaves and Bulldozers was a great finish. A very good set and show. So glad I go to see them.
Soundwave Festivals
Bonython Park, Adelaide, Feb 21st & 22nd, 2015
Headliners: Faith No More, Soundgarden, Slipknot, The Smashing Pumpkins.
- Went with: Shane, Blair, Mark.
- Souvenirs: Ticket ($176)
Bonython Park, Adelaide, March ???, 2014
Headliners: Green Day.
Went with: Duffy, Shane.
Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne, March 1st, 2013
- Souvenirs: Ticket ($187)
Melbourne Showgrounds, March 4th, 2011
- Souvenirs: Ticket ($161); Timetable/Map
Melbourne Showgrounds, Feb 29th, 2008
- Souvenirs: Ticket ($99); Tour poster from Blunt mag.
Spiderbait
(It is going to hard to find info on all the times I saw SB during the 90's. I was a big fan, having even bought most of their singles for a time. Live sets were always mixed from awesome to not good if the mix was bad).
Myer Music Bowl, Thurs 8th April, 2021
An awesome show. Kram was in form telling lots of stories. Several songs went out to extended jams. So they did not play 'Monty' for me, but they did go old school with 'Old Man Sam' into 'Footy', so that was a lot of fun.
- Played with: Cable Ties (whom I ony caught the end of), Bodyjar & **Jebediah.
- Went with: Shane, Blair, Amanda & Mark.
- Souvenirs: Stubbie-holder (orange); Set of single 7 inches.
Corner Hotel, March 3rd, 2017 - Ivy & The Big Apples Tour
A fun night at my favourite venue. It was great to hear the whole album played in full. Nice they did 'Sam Gribbles' afterwards… one of my favourites.
- Played with: ?.
- Went with: Shane, Blair, Pauline, Nicko, Mark, Tom & Steve Dando.
- Souvenirs: Stubbie-holder (Ivy.. cover).
Melbourne Uni, ???
- Played with: Clowns of Decadence
- Went with: Dion & Cindy (I think)
- Souvenirs: Ticket (but so faded, can just make out who played; no dates).
Rock Above the Falls - Lorne, NYE 1995
Big Day Out - RMS, January 1995
Kicked off the RRR stage at midday!
Steel Panther
Adelaide Soundwave, 21st Feb, 2015
Saw the whole set from the front. I am glad these guys pulled this gig off. I was worried it would be crap, but the genuinely were very funny. Their parody (whilst pretending to be serious) is fantastic. They had all the moves and their banter was hilarious, from blaming Soundgarden for messing with their guitars (and trying to kill off heavy metal), to the shit-hanging on Kanye West. The guitarists recognition of a young girl in the crowd brought the house down too. And they played my favourite Death To All But Metal. I really wish they would do more songs like this though.
Stiff Little Fingers
Adelaide Soundwave, 1st March, 2014
Unfortunately, I got here a little too late and only heard the last song and a half. (Such is the nature of festivals ;(). I did like their last song (one where 'bastards' featured a bit, whose name escapes me right now).
Story of the Year
Festival Hall - Melbourne, Sat 13th May, 2006
None of the high-kicking, spinning energy they were known for, but sounded good ;).
- Played with: Flogging Molly & Emery
- Went with: Aido, Slug
- Souvenirs: Ticket ($59); Tour ad from Blunt mag.
Strung Out
Chelsea Heights Hotel, February, 2020
So, again, I went along wanting to love this band, but they fell flat. I am pretty sure it was the mix, but it was all bass and drums from where we were. Could here the vocals; I remember the phrase 'don't look back in anger' for the last song and that was all. the mix had improved a little by then. The fact one of their guitarists did not make it through customs probably also did not help; their sound just wasn't 'full'. But man they can all play. Brilliant musicianship, even if I didn't get what songs they were playing until the last two.
- Played with: No Fun At All & Pennywise.
- Went with: Blair, Shane, Mark.
- Souvenirs: Ticket ($??); No Fun At All setlist from stage; Strungout setlist from mixing desk (thanks Blair for this one); Pennywise Straight Ahead 20th anniversary stubbie holder.
Festival Hall - Melb, Nov 9th 2007
I know people that love the same punk music as me and they love this band. Nothing of theirs had ever really stood out to me – I really wanted to love them live (they had a great rep), but again, good, but nothing stood out. Sydney show of same tour reviewed in 'Blunt #66'.
- Played with: Bad Religion & Mid-Youth Crisis.
- Went with: Aido
- Souvenirs: Ticket.
Sugarcult
Soundwave – Melb Showgrounds, Fri 29th Feb, 2008
Great Hall. An old fav and they were one of best sets we caught at SW. Another band with awesome sound in the Great Hall.
Suicidal Tendencies
Festival Hall, Melbourne, Saturday, 30th October 1993
These guys were huge on stage; both in presence and sound!
- Played with: Alice In Chains
- Went with: Steve Allender, Jussy?
- Souvenirs: Ticket ($38).
Sum 41
Soundwave - Flemington Racecourse, March 1st 2013
The pit area was packed for these guys. Was in it for around half of the set and then made my way out to make a quick escape to Duff McKagan. Not a bad set, but not as good as when I saw them at Festival Hall.
Festival Hall - Melb, Sun 13th Apr, 2008
Whilst there to mainly see old favs (PW & Vandals), Sum 41 had a blistering set. Very impressed.
- Played with: Pennywise, The Vandals, Bowling for Soup.
- Went with: Aido, Boof?, Slug?
- Souvenirs: Ticket ($68; faded).
The Suns
The Tote, Collingwood, ???
Some hippy guys that had a lot of fun and signed a setlist for Slug. :)
- Played with: The Fat Thing.
- Went with: Slug, Aido?, Shane?
- Souvenirs: Setlist (signed for Slug ;))
The Sword
Soundwave - Flemington Racecourse, March 1st 2013
Rushed back to Stage 5 from seeing Blink 182 on main stage and missed the start of The Sword's set - inc my fav Tres Brujas :(. The rest of their set was still awesome - I just love these guys' riffs. Finished with new song Apocryphon. Stage 5 was the place to be ;)
Soundwave - RMS, March 2011
Caught their last few songs, but timed it well. Arrived in time for Tres Brujas, my fav song at the time. Great song, sounded VG for early in day.
Tame Impala
Hisense Arena, Olympic Park, Fri 15th May, 2009
Supporting The Living End for Bush Fire benefit gig. Can’t really remember TI's set.
- Played with: Gyroscope, The Living End
- Went with: Slug
- Souvenirs: Ticket (free)
Tesseract
Adelaide Soundwave, 1st March, 2014
One of the early bands I watched with Duff and his mates. They were so tight I thought a backing tape was playing. They were tight and technical and sounded good, just not really my thing.
Thursday
Soundwave – Melb Showgrounds, Fri 29th Feb, 2008
Main stage. Best band on main for me, despite the low sound not suiting them. Early evening – went to front. Good set for a band I didn’t know much of at time (but then bought albums).
T.I.S.M
Big Day Out - RMS, January 1995
Pretty sure they had big red costumes. Loved a couple of their songs.
Totally Unicorn
The Palace - Hits & Pits, Good Friday, 2013
We got there in time to see (not so much listen to) these guys. Even with a small crowd and a large barrier, it did not take the singer long to jump into crowd and make his way around the room, including on top of one of the bars. Once again, the music played second fiddle to a bloody crazy and funny show :)
Evelyn Hotel Fitzroy - Pt of Fest-Mas, 1st Dec, 2012
Holy crap! I couldn't understand a word of this, but what a show. The singer started in a Santa suit but after going straight into the pit he was stripped to flouro, tie-dyed boxers in no time. Absolutely hilarious as the singer went to all parts of the room to interrupt people's conversations and yell in their faces.
Trial Kennedy
Corner Hotel - Richmond, April 5th, 2008
Too many effects on singer's voice.
- Played with: Horsell Common & Mere Theory.
- Souvenirs: Setlist from stage. (I believe it is this one, as I cannot recall seeing them anywhere else, though they played with Horsell Common a bit, whom I saw several times).
Tumbleweed
Rock Above the Falls - Lorne, NYE 1995
Liked them live. I remember the track Daddy Longlegs being cool. (Not sure if was out at this time though)?
Uncle Acid & the Deadbeats
Adelaide Soundwave, 1st March, 2014
Sat on the lawn and listened to these guys with Slug, knowing we would find Shane there (and we did). They had a fuzzed out sound and sounded a little like Tumbleweed, but with higher voices. (I thought they had female vocals). In fact, they had a bit of Supergrass during their more psychedelic moments about them too. Good band to kick back to, but nothing stunning.
