It had been a long wait for Perth fans, but Zebrahead’s return to the Amplifier Bar on October 7, 2025, was pure chaos in the best possible way. The night kicked off with When Both Sides Suck, We’re All Winners, and it didn’t take long for frontman Ali Tabatabaee to dive headfirst into the crowd—literally. At one point early on, he had the entire floor crouched low before commanding them to leap skyward on cue, a burst of energy that set the tone for the rest of the night.
Between songs, Ali kept the banter flowing, spinning tales of quokkas ensconced in their hotel room and that being OK as they could always order room service and joking that the “real reason they wanted the release the Epstein files was to prove that Ben wasn’t on there —a perfectly absurd Zebrahead mix of mischief and mayhem and it didn’t stop, there was a witty aside or a cool story between almost every song.
The band tore through their set with a balance of old-school anthems and newer material. We’re Not Alright and Homesick for Hope brought out big singalongs, while Lay Me to Rest and Postcards from Hell showed off the heavier, more melodic side of the group’s current lineup. The dual vocal attack from Ali and Adrian Estrella worked brilliantly—Ali’s rap-punk growl and Adrian’s melodic roar gave every chorus extra punch. Guitarist Dan Palmer was a blur of hair and riffs, while Ben Osmundson’s basslines kept the floor vibrating.
Midway through, the nostalgia hit hard with Mike Dexter Is a God, Mike Dexter Is a Role Model, Mike Dexter Is an Asshole, followed by the crowd-pleasing Hell Yeah! and a riotous cover of the Beastie Boys’ Fight for Your Right. The energy never dropped for a second—Drink Drink turned the room into one giant toast, and Sink Like a Stone and Worse Than This showed just how tight the band still is after decades on the road. Every chorus was met with flying drinks, fists in the air, and the kind of sweaty camaraderie that only a Zebrahead show can deliver.
By the time Anthem, Falling Apart, and All My Friends Are Nobodies closed out the set, the crowd looked exhausted but euphoric. Zebrahead once again proved that they’re not just survivors of the early 2000s punk explosion—they’re still one of the genre’s most fun, fiery, and unpredictable live acts. Whether they’re joking about marsupials, conspiracy files, or just uniting a room full of strangers under a wall of riffs and smiles, Zebrahead reminded Perth that punk rock can still be pure, joyful chaos.
If you’re on the fence about this tour then don’t be! This the best concert ticket you will spend money on all year! So much fun and every single song a winner!
