What an amazing night of rock n roll!!! I will simply preface this review with that statement. Australia has this vast array of talent, some artists we know, some we already love, some we don’t yet know, and tonight’s show was exactly that for me. First and foremost, two of my favourite Aussie rock bands on the one bill was enough to have me excited. Tonight was a pure meeting of west meets east. That should tell you just how far and deep the talent is in this country.
I take pleasure in discovering artists and bands that I may not be aware of. I’m sure to always be at a show early because every band on a bill is there for a reason. Someone somewhere heard and saw something in them and it’s out of pure respect to the talent in this country that I (and the general public) need to check them out and show them some love. Roxferry from Port Macquarie in New South Wales opened tonight’s proceedings, and this pair of brothers simply blew my mind. I had not heard of Roxferry before their name appeared on the social media event for this show.
There are two ways you can go about discovering an artist. The first is to check out their socials and streaming. The other is to take a chance on a band that you don’t know and just go and see them live. In this instance I opted for the second. I love the element of surprise and hearing something new live. Some of my favourite Australian bands have been discovered this way.
Roxferry won a new fan in me tonight. While their style and the way they deliver their music isn’t new by any means, bands like Royal Blood, Dallas Frasca and King Of The North to mention a few have all played this way for years and by doing a bit of deep diving I discovered Roxferry formed in 2018. How I have missed them again really does surprise me. Their influences are worn on their sleeves and that hint of Queens Of The Stone Age meets muse with a distinctly Aussie style. I also discovered that this duo are brothers. Clay (Vocalist/Guitarist) & Jake Teiffel (Drums) have the time of their lives on stage while delivering some of the finest garage rock you will hear. The smile on Jake’s face is infectious as he delivers the kick in the ass that drives the band’s sound. Guitarist/Vocalist Clay is a ball of energy delivering some super slick riffs and grooves. His voice sits on-top of the well written lyrics and vocal melodies that thrive in tonight’s set of songs. Their use of harmonisers and octave shifters is incredible; they also utilise tracks and what I can assume are loops that enhance the songs and do not detract from the sound at all.
These brothers have perfected the delivery of their sound live. Big, gutsy rock the grabs you and refuses to let go. While crowd was starting to build during their set, those that witnessed it were like me and drawn in by the quality of their performance. Roxferry are one of those bands that need to be seen live. I urge you to check them out whenever you get the chance. Seek them out and get drawn into the powerhouse this duo is.
Setlist : Bleached, Chain, Loose, Blood Money, Do It Again, Sly, Bitter, Black Light Angel
ROXFERRY GALLERY
One of my all-time favourite Melbourne bands Dead City Ruins took to the stage next. This five piece hard rock powerhouse are just that, powerful. I became hooked on DCR upon hearing their 2013 self-titled album. There is something dirty, gritty and just fun about these guys. There always has been. While DCR in 2025 looks a little different than 2013 it has been an absolute pleasure watching this band evolve into the band they are today. I think I have seen more DCR shows than any other Melbourne band. Whether it be supporting some of the world’s biggest artists on the big stage to club shows they remain consistent and a joy to watch.
There is something to be said about the catalogue of songs, all anthemic with hooks that dig deep, riffs that become embedded in the soul and choruses that stick. Their mix of blues-based rock n roll simply hits you. Part Thin Lizzy, part AC/DC, part Black Sabbath the band also have a foot in hard rock from the late 80’s early 90’s but it’s all delivered in their own unique way. Maybe that last reference comes from the melodic hooks that flow through their catalogue of songs.
Frontman Steve Welch is engaging and knows how to draw a crowd in; get you involved and keep you engaged. Welch is the ultimate ringmaster for this band. What is obvious from the get-go is that this is a high energy rock n roll show. While Welch is the ringmaster there is something undeniably magical about the bands twin guitar attack; it always has been. The pairing of Sean ‘Blanch’ Blanchard and Shaun Webb is magical. Webb is filling in while founding member and lead guitarist Thomas Cain is on a leave of absence from the band. The lead guitarist role in this band is demanding and not for the faint of heart. Webb fits this role perfectly and honours the recorded solos adding his own flair and energy to them. What I absolutely love about this band is the harmony solos and the showmanship from Webb and Blanchard. These two know how to have a great time delivering riffs and solos that simply drop jaws and melt faces. The musicianship in this band is sublime and a master class for punter and fellow musician.
The rhythm section of Nick Trajanovski (Drums) and Tommy Sunset (Bass) are so damn tight and on point. Solid, groovy and powerful is the only way I can describe this duo. They do what is needed to be done to drive these songs. These two lock in so tightly and deliver that thing that simply makes you need to move, whether it be dance, bang your head or throw your fists in the air in time with their power.
Frontman Steve Welch is the perfect fit. An absolute powerhouse vocally he not only stamped his style and voice all over the back catalogue, but their last album “Shockwave” was in my eyes one of the best releases of 2022. It still gets a regular play today. Welch’s performance on the streaming only revision of 2018’s “Never Say Die” added some magic in what was a brave and bold move from the band. Replacing a frontman and vocalist is always hard. Re-recording an album fans loved is a brave move, but it shows a fortitude many would dare to attempt. Changing history while remaining true to the original recordings, it was a great introduction to the ability Welch has.
Tonight’s set was a little different from the last few I have seen from the guys. It mixed things up a little set list wise, but rest assured the show was as engaging and powerful as ever. All the moves, the searing vocal and massive riffs were there. Dead City Ruins are simply damn good time, a feast for the eyes and ears. If you haven’t seen these guys live, please check them out when you get the chance.
Setlist : Devil Man, Broken Bones, Vision, Del Toro, Dirty Water, This Side Of The Dirt, Bones, Dog On A Leash, Happenzella, Preacher.
DEAD CITY RUINS GALLERY
The Southern River Band I first stumbled across in 2019. The album was “Rumour & Innuendo” and the song that started it all was ‘Second Best’, which I am pretty sure I first heard on Triple J while at work.
There was something fresh about these guys and. A quick trip to Spotify had me dive into the album and I was completely blown away. There is an energy and some this so different about their songs. I became an instant fan. In fact, that album stayed on heavy rotation for the next couple of years, come to think of it the album hasn’t stopped getting played.
The bands live show was something that had a reputation behind it and it took me until moving to Melbourne in 2022 to see the band live. What a life changing moment that was. All of the tales of just how good these guys were, I finally got to experience for myself, and I was floored by how good they were. Up until tonight I hadn’t seen The Southern River Band live for around eighteen months. Not by choice but due to schedule clashes. The billing of Dead City Ruins and Southern River Band was a show I simply wasn’t willing to miss. The one question I had for myself is what has changed, obviously the set has expanded with songs from “DIY” being added to the set.
Eighteen months of relentless touring by the guys sees them bring their game to the absolute next level. Max Watts now at near capacity had a vibe to it that was simply electric as the band took to the stage. ‘Busted Up’ opens tonight and this song like a few in the set have never appeared on a studio album despite being huge fan favourites. It was obvious from the very get go that tonight’s crowd were going to be really vocal too. The sea of smiles as the band ripped into the monstrous ‘Streets Don’t Lie’ was infectious and the band, well they were feeding from the energy.
Frontman/guitarist Cal Kramer is the definition of rock star. A humble one, but a star, nonetheless. His between song banter and storytelling is perfect. Relatable, honest, funny and not afraid to poke fun at himself or his band of brothers sharing the stage. Pat Smith (Bass) and Tyler Michie (Drums) are super tight and just drive these songs allowing Kramer and Dan Carroll (Guitars) to weave their riff mastery and melodic magic upon a solid bed of driving power which I think is the appeal to this band, they know how to craft a song that just makes you want to move and sing along. This quartet gives their everything on stage. It’s a show of superb musicianship and high energy.
Kramer introduces their forthcoming single ‘Don’t Take It To Heart’ as the one that’s not on the Internet yet and announces that there is a new album coming in September which received a huge cheer from the crowd. The simplicity in which Kramer tells his stories is really natural. It connects well and it’s as if he is sharing his stories with you on a personal level. There is a charisma in the way he charms the crowd. He is possibly one of the few frontmen that when the music stops the engagement continues. His delivery off the cuff and that’s what love about Kramer as a frontman.
There is so much depth to the catalogue of songs this band has. From the balls out boogie of ‘Stan Qualen’ to the infectiously catchy ‘Chasin’ After Love’ there is something for everyone. The band’s sound is so universal. I can guarantee that within the next 18 months if the band continues their trajectory, they will be one of this country’s biggest global musical exports. Europe loves them from their first tour and look out if the Americans catch onto what’s happening. This band is everything from Status Quo to Van Halen to Little River Band, with a special sauce that is purely their own, all rolled into one superb package. The band are amazing on record but live is where they do it best.
I urge you check out a Southern River Band show, they you will understand exactly what I’m preaching here. In fact, check out any of the bands on this bill are worthy of your hard earned to see live, Dead City Ruins and Roxferry will blow you away as well. Tonight was a world class showcase of original Australian rock n roll. The future is here!!!!
Setlist : Busted Up, Streets Don’t Lie, Second Best, Watch Yourself, Don’t Take It To Heart, Are You Up?, Cigarettes, Modern Romance, Vice City III, Chasin’ After Love, Stan Qualen, Fuck You Pay Me, Vice City II, Let It Ride, Chimney
SOUTHERN RIVER BAND GALLERY
With special thanks to Amy from Deathproof
All image credits Shot by Slaidins Photography
