Pix by Sarah Gilpin
Words by Cecilia Pattison-Levi
There were lots of people in black heavy rock and metal shirts on the train into Brisbane, and I figured we were all heading to the same place, the Black Bear Lodge. And, as I walked up towards the venue, there was a growing line of people waiting to get in. Fans had come into The Valley to see These Four Walls debut their newly released single Into The Ocean and play it live for the very first time. They were joined by local heavy rock bands Torizon and Slythr for a night of big sounds and authentic grassroots rock music.
The evening commenced with Slythr taking to the stage. And, it was bang on time as well. I just managed to grab my drink from the bar and race to the stage area as the band kicked off their original song, Player Boy. And, what a huge sound Slythr made! It was ‘the pedal to the metal’ right from the start. Slythr powered on into Heartbreak Hotel and the terrific Control Freak. Then, guitarist Harry Shield, who had worked up a sweat, had the jumper off, and then the crowd did the same, as the band had brought the heat into the venue.
Slythr is a female-fronted four-piece hard rock band with real sonic energy and bounce. The band comprises Harry Shield (guitar), Ben McMurray (drums), Cade McGrath (bass) and their amazingly talented frontwoman Amy-Lee Lidgard (vocalist). Together, they really were a great band to watch, and they put on a live show that is above and beyond your average opener.
Their songs had real spark. They highlighted the songs from their Love, Lust And Heartbreak EP and featured them in the last half of their set. They played Psycho Hour and Hold Me Down before launching into a fantastic cover of Linkin Park’s One Step Closer. Slythr closed out their set with Falling For You.
There is a lot to like in what this young band are doing: their guitar work and rhythm work were tight. The drummer had it going on with his outstanding work on the kit and his glow in the dark drum sticks. Slythr will be playing the Brightside for Rock Is Not Dead 2, and I would recommend getting along to see this young band do their thing.
Then, the next up-and-coming act that is worth keeping an eye on, was Torizon. The band took to the stage with an Overture that allowed the band to settle on stage and bring in the change to the hard rock musical style to be delivered next, as the sonic melodies drifted over the crowd. It also gave front woman Mish Sharma time to warm up at the side of the stage before jumping up to the microphone and launching straight into the set with the band’s most recently released song, Bloom.
Torizon delivered a big rock sound with sweet melodies at their core. The next song was the fantastic Martyr that had real class in its sound and delivery. The band, comprising of Mish Sharma (vocals and piano), Luke Kleinschmidt (guitar and synths), Ben Gallaher (bass and vocals), and Isaac Turner (drums) demonstrated that they had been busy writing new material when two new songs were unveiled Sober and Currents both to be release on the band’s new EP Meliora that is to be toured down the Australian East Coast in October.
Torizon’s set was punchy. The song Echoes was a highlight, and allegedly a happy song, as was Hold On. The band delivered a fired-up performance with Mish Sharma’s powerful vocals sliding over the top of Luke Kleinschmidt‘s fantastic guitar riffs, Ben Gallaher’s rhythmic and smooth harmonies and Isaac Turner’s tight drumming enhanced the band’s melodic textures. Torizon had an energy and confidence around them, and their set showed the band are looking to big next steps in their future.
There was a short stage rearrangement. Equipment was moved. Drummers took apart and then reassembled their kits. The crowd raced to the bar. And, then people moved closer to the front as Gold Coast-based These Four Walls got settled with a small sound check before leaving the stage in darkness. The crowd had swelled and was really ready to go as the intro music was played and built the tension.
Then, NZ/Australian band These Four Walls, who know how to work a stage, took their places on it and kicked off their dynamic set with One Moment In Time, followed by Marigold and the terrific song White Lies, and the crowd’s hands were in the air and the singsongs had started. What was evident right from the start was that these guys knew each other so well, and their music was so tight, that the songs flowed like a melodic river.
These Four Walls’ line-up is Steve Gibb (vocals and guitar), Gray Vickers (lead guitar), Brad Vickers (drums) and Elliot Burton (bass guitar) and they delivered a big heavy rock sound underscored with some luscious melodies and Steve Gibb’s voice which is just wonderful to hear as he has such a lovely vocal resonance.
The 14-song set felt like a celebration, as both old and new songs were delivered. It was laced with classic These Four Walls fan favourites as the crowd engaged in sing-alongs in full voice from the start. After the song Slow, I took my ringing eardrums to the back of the venue to watch and listen. The acoustics at the back of the venue got me to appreciate the songs, especially Rock Bottom and the stunning new song Into The Ocean. Steve Gibb’s voice was just lovely, so clear and mellifluous, and the guitar riffs were fabulous in delivering that song with its strong rhythmic base and killer melody.
The guitar riffs and breaks from Gray Vickers and Steve Gibb’s through Lillith, Carousel, Before I’m Gone, and Rain were just first class. It seemed like the gig had just started as Passenger was played, and then the huge song Chaos was delivered, and the set was nearing its end. There were solos of instruments, guitars and drums being delivered as Elliot Burton’s bass line thrummed along to keep everyone together and in time. I have to say, the drum solo in and around Bravery was just outstanding.
These Four Walls did not disappoint their fans with their high energy and powerfully emotive performance. The crowd buzzed with happiness and excitement. Near the end, so many phones were in the air to catch the action, I had to watch the band through people’s screens.
These Four Walls‘ connection with their fans was great on stage, and even better off-stage, as they came promptly to the merch desk and talked to fans, signed CDs, set lists and did photos. It is great to see a band take that time, care and effort to bring their music to life and celebrate it with fans. It was a terrific night of pure rock music.
