Helena's EP Launch at the Milk Bar

I love the Milk Bar, but I wish they'd stop vapers (coz I'm a grumpy old fogey). I get that one of the band have a clip homaging a 'Vape God', but still. On the plus side, they have blacklights on during set changes so anybody in white looks like they're glowing. :-D

Helena invited a few friends to help launch their new EP Within Your Means. First up were Seaward, whom I didn't see. Next were Reefeater. These guys are cool. Straight up surf-rock but they do a top job of it. They have pro videos on youtube, two of note including Deadweight and Lost at Sea, and this includes acoustic versions - look for 'roofeater' - and are really fun to watch live. I saw all of one song and managed to pick that up. Really sorry I missed this set. Will look for because I want to see them live. Spoke to lead vocals about getting on bandcamp.

Multiple crowd ppl grabbed earplugs for band 3, Belgravia. A rehearsal riff suggests they know better than I do. Nope, they were wrong. Band was not nearly as loud as they were indicating. But, fuck yeah, I like. Named after a street in Belmont, they bring hard-paced energy to the stage with the lead vocalist feeding off the guitar driven riffs and pumping that energy to the crowd. High kicks! Haven't seen one of them in years. Infectiously danceable music, it's heavy in places, but with a melodic foundation that keeps everything highly listenable. Rock with experiments on the fringe: a bit of hip-hop lyricising here, some hardcore demon voice singing there (with help from a ring-in). A band birthday - so we all sang for the sole purpose of emabarrassing the poor guy. What fun! Will see again.

Headline act were Helena - hel-E-na, not HEL-en-a - who are releasing a new EP Within Your Means. These guys rock, they'e got it together. they do a nice strip-show, and could be a lot bigger than Perth. At the same time, their lead guitarist is leaving (to finish a PhD., no less. Kudos). Watch this space.

Totally enjoyed the music. Managed to video five songs (after thinking there's no point coz everybody on the night has pro video on YT already). I can't seem to not, I guess. Not a lot of notes, I'll just let the songs speak for themselves. Will see again.

Really, really good night. Spoke to a couple of bands - spreading the b/c message - it seems everyone likes talking to old <del>farts</del> rockers listening to their music. :-D