Palladium perform to a small crowd who are obviously there for another reason, but until then we just had to put up with their unconvincing display of nondescript rock. These guys know how to play their instruments and it's obvious that rehearsal time has been fully utilized. They're neat and precise, composed and not at all sloppy.

It's just a shame there is no spark and it's almost as though they've written their songs from a recipe book. Palladium need a re-vamped, refreshed approach and some killer riffs before anyone will take any real notice of them. At best, it's formulaic rock devoid of any flair, spark or guts. Insert injection of oomph here!!!

Motor Ace on the other hand, proceed to win over the crowd with their fit-for-some-serious-pogo-jumping pop rock. These Melbourne lads prove that radio is their friend and give us what we want with the mighty fine singles, "Chairman of the Board", "Criminal Past" and "American Shoes". Touring has been kind to these boys and has allowed them to refine their rock moves, with Patrick Robertson (vocals/guitars) proving that you don't need to be around for years to have the presence and ability to show off. Damian Costin pounds away on his drum kit with the enthusiasm of a kid who's just been told they can go play in the mud. It is his beefy style that drives the hooky riffs and addictive melodies of Robertson's songs. They've got the songs, the stage show is spot on and their audience is growing with every single they release. Some hardcore touring since the beginning of August with Shihad has definitely won them a few more fans. Stay tuned for soon to be released long player from these talented young blokes.

Insert earplugs now. Shihad haven't even set foot on stage and the crowd is going nuts. The roars and anthemic cheering drive me to cover my ears and they haven't even played a note yet. I don't think Shihad know how to play quiet music. "Ballad" is not in their job description, and neither is "softly". The other thing they don't know how to do is play a bad show. Very few people can rock as hard and as consistently as these kiwi boys. Even Tim Rogers has the odd bad day @ work, but Shihad have come up with the goods every single time I've seen them set foot on a stage. Big crowd, small crowd, new crowd or familiar crowd, they play hard and fast with an energy unequalled in volume or spectacle. I don't even think Shihad are capable of playing a bad show. It's not in their repertoire. Even on the nights when they drop back the pace even just a little, they still kick ass over 9 out of 10 live bands. There's a fine line between arrogance and flamboyance, but Jon Toogood (vocals, guitar and adventures in rock piggery) has it all down to a fine art. Arrogance has negative and derogatory connotations, whereas in Toogood's case it's more like justifiable confidence. He has a stage presence so dominating and vibrant that it makes you wonder what he's on. However, it is possible to extract that much energy from one person when they're sober given the right amount of excitement and adrenaline. How would he cope with that much energy without the outlet of playing live shows night after night? And why isn't this man in hospital half dead from exhaustion?

Shihad pull out the punches from the word go and make no hesitation in completely blowing away the crowd, the support bands and imparing the hearing of all those within a 2km radius. There is no warm up period or even a gentle slide into the set after a few songs. It's full on, fast and hard, with a mosh pit not for the feint hearted. Bruises a plenty for many. So if you don't like it loud and physical, don't bother showing up.

Quote of the night:
Jon Toogood: "I've been fuckin' working out so no fucker's gonna mess with me, eh!"