Rrocklobster of Perth

Live Review
Game of Tones
YaYas Bar
Saturday 25 October

Them Sharks, Latch Key Kids, House Arrest, At The Space Jam, Trip Hazard and the rude boys, Frigid Digits.







Rrocklobster went to check out the last Ska gig ever at YaYas Bar, which is closing down in just a few days' time. With such a great line-up of bands, contrasted with the melancholy of a beloved local venue shutting down, it was bitter-sweet.

The bar was already packed with eager music fans who were treated to a heavier-than-usual opening act, Frigid Digits. Emm Oll’s strong vocals were backed with the band’s raw sound that gives a nod to the punk roots with a subtle ska twist.

At The Space Jam vocalist Andre Georges wanted everyone to come a little closer to the stage. “We’ve only got 20 minutes, let’s make it a good 20 minutes, alright!” he said, trying to amp up the crowd. It worked! Relentlessly lively, with carnival-party-synthesiser and classic ska vocals, they had everyone flailing their limbs in a flurry of musical excitement. As the band oscillated between fast-paced ska and slow, smooth reggae beats; members of the other ska bands were dancing from foot to foot. It was impossible not to smile.   

With just three members and no brass instruments, you’d think it would be difficult to play ska but Trip Hazard and the rude boys are savvy and well-practised. The lack of brass is more than made up for with vigorous upstrokes and lots of ‘heeeey’s and ‘hup-hup-hup-hup’ing. Playing for already energized crowd, they worked hard to maintain the pace. Their fast songs (so fast you might think they’re Russian) and galloping drums ensured that the vigorously dancing revelers got a good workout.

Having played all but one of their shows at YaYas, House Arrest probably felt right at home. Their home venue was completely packed and bassist Pat Decline was rocking out to Michelle Claire’s groovy trumpet. Andy Storey and Ben Elliott were strumming their guitars in perfect synchronization and Sam Reed was giving the drum kit a good bashing (as if perhaps it had been misbehaving). They all seemed completely stoked to be on stage, and the crowd loved them too; half the room was dancing and their slowly growing fan base were singing along. Storey got a little too excited during ‘MFH’ and broke a guitar string. Luckily, friendly and reliable Latch Key Kids came to the rescue, lending him a guitar to finish off the set.

Latch Key Kids, after having their guitar warmed up, started out a little bit calmer and crowd members who were manic just moments ago had settled down. By their second song they were well into the swing of things and the high-energy good-times ska feelings were back! While the ska party raged on at the front, people up the back were getting a bit tipsy. Latch Key Kids were the perfect soundtrack for innocent antics and good times with friends.

Them Sharks gathered up all the positive ska and reggae vibes in the room and shone as brightly as ever with Joel Woolerson’s raspy voice and twingy, scratchy guitar tones. Two friends of the band were in the audience dressed as a shark and a crocodile, and brought the band refreshing beers as they filled the bar with their euphoric sounds. Energy hit a peak during the last two songs. The whole room grooving, and members of Scalphunter and Blindspot grabbed the mic to help out with the chorus of ‘The Bunnies’. The evening’s spirit culminated in ‘The Bob Gordons’ – fans of the band, including the shark, the crocodile and the entire complement of At The Space Jam joined the band on stage to party it out. It was, after all, the last ska song to ever be played at YaYas.

Review by Rrocklobster of Perth.