I have been following the Brisbane garage scene for quite some time now and every so often a show, like this one happening tonight at The New Globe Theatre, comes along and I just know I am not going to want to miss it. Tonight is a triple headline show, and a triple launch, supported by upcomers Mudshadows and Silk Acid who I am very keen to see as I have not seen them before.

The night begins with Mudshadows, whose lovely harmonies and catchy melodies instantly appeal. Their presentation is worth mentioning too. I always enjoy seeing band members putting effort into making their stage presence pop and Tom the lead singer is doing just that for us tonight, sporting patterned pants and trendy shades. Mudshadows effuse a chilled-out, laidback vibe that is refreshing and seemingly effortless like a breeze. I am pleased to hear Carpet Head played live tonight as it is a tune that has attracted some airplay for the group and I love it when the live rendition sounds as good as the recording and it totally does.

One band down and four to go. SILKACID jump up next. The name SILKACID totally suits them as the vocal range of the lead singer is pretty impressive. Not just the range but the contrast as well, he can go from mosh to lush perfectly. This outfit knows how to mix it up, one song is raw and gritty then the next is smooth and velvety. I quite like the relaxed approach the band takes toward their wardrobe. Pop them in a time machine and send them back to the 70's and they would fit right in with the hair and the jeans and a great rock sound. This is the first time I have seen SILKACID perform but it will not be the last hopefully. Thoroughly enjoying this set.

Lunar Seasons have been a mainstay of the Brisbane garage scene since 2011. They have had a hiatus here and there but now they are back with new material they are launching tonight. I think they must all work in the construction industry because they sure know how to build. From the very start of the set they create a presence with the repetitive tink-tink of guitar until the crowd is hushed in expectation of something extraordinary; and we are not disappointed. The band roars to life and it’s on. The sound is rich and full and lead singer Adam Dawe is delivering the songs with a kind of frenetic urgency that is captivating. Dawe has an incredible voice and gives the word vocal sustain new meaning. He sure can hold a note.

The best way I can describe the kind of music Lunar Seasons plays is by saying - If I was tasked with the job of choosing a band to play the music that would herald the arrival of the four Horsemen of the Apocalypse I would choose Lunar Seasons on the strength of what I am hearing here tonight. All band members are on fire, especially Michael Gardener the drummer who has stepped in at the last minute. Dawe describes Gardener as, “A weapon of a drummer,” and I have to agree. Gardener has stepped in for this evening as a replacement and has apparently learned the set in a week; true testament to amazing talent and probably some peeved neighbours. One of the highlights of the set for me was to hear my old favourite Cabin Fever; such a great song.

The second headline act is Deadbeat Society. They are launching their new album Soundtrack for the Cultural Apocolypse which has eleven tasty tracks. The band is facing a lot of technical and physical difficulties in the delivery of the set this evening. Not only is lead man Dave Deadbeat (as he refers to himself) not feeling well this evening he is also playing with a broken hand which had been in plaster up until this afternoon when he removed it in order to play tonight’s set. That kind of dedication deserves to be recognised. But wait there’s more – his guitar strap broke during the first song and then to top it all off about half way through the set the inevitable high E string break happens. Still, despite all those negatives the overall performance is positive.

This is my first time seeing Deadbeat Society and I can hear strains of QOTSA, Foo Fighters and Motor Head with a Lemmyesque, raspy quality to the vocals. The set ends with an invitation to Adam from Lunar Seasons and Kevin from Ghost Audio to come up on stage to accompany Deadbeat Society in hell raising rendition of the Chip Taylor classic Wild Thing. These moments where the scene support each other on stage are the moments I love to see at local shows. There’s just something about the comradery that warms the heart like heated lungs.

We have arrived at the third headline act and the final band of the night. Ghost Audio have produced their new album Heartbones over the past eighteen months. In a recent interview Ghost Audio report they now feel like they have their sound worked out and from what I am hearing, that sound has a kind of whole-grain honesty that adds essential roughage to our musical diets.

Ghost Audio is straight down the line, foundational heavy rock proving once again that rock will never die. The squally guitar is pleasing and I find my gaze continually returning to the drumming style of Tim 'Bones' Fogarty which is rather Grohlish and captivating. Ghost Audio live up to their name by making sounds on a spectrum that is beyond this physical plain.

You can check out more about the bands at their pages. Mudshadows, SILKACID, Lunar Seasons, Deadbeat Society, Ghost Audio. - Jae Salmon