When I saw the advertisement for a Sonic Reducer gig, at Sideway out of all places, I knew I was in for something special.
Sonic Reducer is a four-piece punk band from right here in Canberra, and recently, they’ve been doing big things. They’ve had their music played on Triple J, and have been gigging at some big venues, like the Metro Theatre in Sydney.
For only $10 at the door, attending this gig was a sign that local grassroots music is as strong, if not stronger than it’s ever been.
Sideway is an intimate bar in the heart of Civic, upstairs in the Sydney Building…
I instantly felt this as I walked up the narrow flight of stairs.
After paying my $10 entry, I was greeted with a room with an overwhelming sense of community, as so many people had turned out for a night of original music.
Punks, musos, and punters were all there for the same reason: to witness raw, self-expression on an intimate level.
It wasn’t long before the first band took the stage, and everyone slowly shuffled towards the stage. Local bands Buzzcuts and At Last: Broadcast were supporting Sonic Reducer on the night, and I couldn’t think of a better choice.
Buzzcuts are relatively new on the scene, and this gig was their debut playing at a venue. From the moment they took the stage through to the end, you could easily tell it was a special night for them.
As the music went on, the crowd swayed left and right from their easy-going sound. If Sonic Reducer is a 10 on the loud punk scale, Buzzcuts is a 1, which was the perfect way to ease into the night.
I couldn’t help but feel a sense of mystique, as did others, as we all got to share this debut moment with the band.
As the set came to an end, I couldn’t believe that’s all they had.
Following Buzzcuts was At Last: Broadcast. Stepping it up a level in energy, their opening song felt like a wall of sound had fallen on me… and I wanted more.
Just like before, the crowd transported themselves from the bar and tables at the back to get upfront and personal with the band. You could just about hear the shuffling feet and baggy trousers rustle as they moved forward.
The crowd reflected the music of At Last: Broadcast, at times swaying, other times moshing, but overall, just enjoying themselves.
I liken some of their music to teenage nostalgia, but not the nostalgia you probably think of.
Think of being 15 again and believing that the world just doesn’t get you, except you’re oblivious to the fact that it exactly gets you.
That kind of nostalgia.
It was organic emotion on display that shows the craft that goes into writing original music.
Another set had finished, and the crowd migrated back towards the bar. Using the break to rehydrate or pop outside for a cigarette, Sonic Reducer began setting themselves up on stage.
I didn’t even need to hear them play to know we were about to be slapped in the face with an hour of raw, punk music, because they just looked the part.
The messy hair, fashionably relevant while challenging stylistic norms, and instruments slung down to the waist; this was a real-life punk band.
Before Sonic Reducer had even cracked into their performance proper, the crowd had flocked to the stage just from the soundcheck. You could easily feel the sudden rush of excitement that filled the room.
The band started playing and I’m just glad I had earplugs in. Loud enough to probably break the decibel reader, it was everything I expected from a punk band. Thumping bass, pounding yet driving drumbeats, distorted, yet melodic guitar and shouty vocals, Sonic Reducer delivered on being a punk band.
If the music wasn’t loud enough, then maybe the stomping of Doc Marten boots was. Boots would stomp, slip, and get stuck from the copious amounts of beer spilt on the floor, but I was here for it. The crowd would mosh almost every song, breathing life into the band’s performance.
As the set went on, the crowd grew bigger and became more alive. Sideway is already a small enough venue and the crowd was packed in tight (a sell-out in fact), but here, I could just about smell the person next to me.
The intimacy of Sideway meant that the band just may have well been in the crowd. I could almost feel the sweat and spit fly onto me as the band moved and banged their heads.
Is that gross?
Yeah probably, but being up close and personal is what made this gig so special.
The greatest thing about watching Sonic Reducer perform (apart from the music, helps that I’m a fan) was seeing the band transform from regular punters you’d see around into a fully-fledged punk band.
The frontman performs exactly like he was ripped out of the punk scenes of the late ‘70s (think Iggy Pop or any band that graced the CBGB). At times, looking possessed, he would interact and jump into the crowd, swing the microphone stand around, and fall straight to his knees; all while staying in tune and on time.
I never got to live through the pub rock era of live music, but this felt pretty damn close.
Like scenes of the ‘70s, the band would swig beer and take a hit of the vape (no smoking indoors of course) in between songs, while only being lit by a couple of lights hanging above.
As the set ended, the band played their more well-known songs. This turned the crowd’s excitement up a couple of notches, as they couldn’t resist singing back “I’ll never be one of the lads!”.
When the band played their newest single BETWEEN THE WIRE, you could feel the excitement steaming off the band as they saw the crowd recognise what was being played in front of them.
After finishing playing and being subject to the infamous “one more song” chant, Sonic Reducer graced us, in true punk fashion, with an on-the-spot homage to one of the best bands to ever do it, The Ramones.
As the band finished playing I stood there, beer on my boots, sweat beading on my forehead, trying to collect my thoughts from the astounding performance I just witnessed. On the drive home, I couldn’t help but reflect on the scenes that unfolded in the past three hours.
This gig was more than a couple of bands getting up and playing their music.
It was a signifier that despite the Australian music industry seeming like it’ll collapse on itself, strength within the local scenes has never been stronger.
Original photos by Brad McIntosh