Reviews- Shihad/Magic Dirt/Pretty Violet Stain

        In the effort of being fair, I will contain my urge to simply write and essay on the brilliance of the rock legend, Shihad, and add a little bit about their support bands, Magic Dirt and Pretty Violet Stain.
          I immediately noticed a bit of a theme to the night when Pretty Violet Stain took to the stage. Their lead singer looks like a fairer, maybe a bit taller version of Shihad frontman Jon Toogood. Both are skinny, little, androgynous manboys in tight tops that like to rock. Although Pretty Violet Stain prefer pop.
          While they did gove an entertaining performance, the crowd seemed a little reluctant to go near the stage. Most peopl hovered near the walls and spectated, as the tragically hip tend to do. The band did serve up some sweet little pop tunes like Triple J favourite "She keeps souvenirs", and thei new single "Big Mouth", which even the singer labelled a "shameless pop song". By the end of their set they did gather a bunch of kiddies to bounce to their songs, and warm up the room for Magic Dirt.
         As hard as I tried to focus, this is where I chose to stop paying attention and amuse myself with watching the crowd. Which did prove very entertaining. One very passionate and very inebriated Magic Dirt fan danced along to their music with enough passion for the whole crowd, which was quite large at thie point. Well, to say he was dancing is a little optimistic. Perhaps jiggled, wriggled and shook is a better description. But he did seem to be enjoying himself immensely, as, to my dismay, most of the crowd seemed to be doing.
          I must say that I am very muchly not a Magic Dirt fan, and I previously thought this was the case with the general population, until I saw the size of the crowd trying to press themselves against the stage. Maybe it's the girl-that-rocks-like--man thing, or their heavy rock...something...I just don't get it. Hopefully I will be able to get a friend to add a less subjective opinion of their show so that the aren't completely written off, but I don't really mind.
          Well, I did manage to get some words from a friend, so just for the Magic Dirt fans, here is a nicer opinion than main:
Another sweetie moshpit filled with the usual band of loyal supporters that call themselves Magic Dirt fans.
It was another impressive gig, showing all the determination and indie rock grit they have anlways displayed since bursting onto the scene with their first EP "Life was Better". They played a solid playlist with usual favourites 'Amoxycilin", "Ice", "So cruel" and "She riff", with many more splatterings from both of their releases "Friends in Danger", and "Young and Full of the Devil". Adalita powered through the set despite carrying the flu, and was supported superbly by the band (with particular mention to the bassist, Dean). They played a top set, with excellent sound, and a small, but good, mosh.

          So, I hope that makes people happy (thanx Tim :)). As is pretty obvious, I was just hanging out for Shihad, so I had the power to live through anything. Mmmmmmmm....the icing on the not so yummy cake. In support of these modest little Kiwis, all I can say is "Shihad rock!!", and underpants, underpants, underpants. But I'll get to that later.
          Before Shihad even stuck their heads in the door, the crowd were clapping and catcalling in anticipation, taunting the boys into action. They took to the stage and tore straight into the first single off their new album, "My Mind's Sedate", filling the bar with hard-edged guitars, and the city-crushing vocals of Toogood. They stirred up the crowd with intense force to the point of the room becoming a sauns, occassionally relieving is poor little devotees by throwing water into the sea of sweaty faces. The humidity in the bar became so unbearable for Toogood that halfway through the set, he stripped down to a pair of balck underpants, and played out the night inthem. He looked llike a litle kid who had just stepped out of the bath and was splashing all through the house, getting up to all sorts. And his lack of apparel in no way detracted from the music (it made me quite happy, to say the least). The onstage antics are what makes their shows that much more entertaining. They combine star quality with unjaded excitement.
          Whilst bouncing around the stage in practically nothing but sweat, singer Jon Toogood gave the perfect description of the night, "It's soaking, it's dripping, it's wet, it's just like sex," before launching into another song. Shihad rocked out most of the new album including the title track "The General Electric". They also played old favourites such as "La La Land", if somewhat altered version, and as usual ended their set with the classic "Home Again".
          These boys put on a fucking awesome show wherever they are, and whoever the play to, and even admitted that they enjoyed blowing Filter off the stage on their recent tour supporting them. I must admit that whilst being a huge Filter fan, I have to agree thatour newly local boys Shihad definitely can blow anyone off stage. Even in their underpants.