Review: FACS @ The Ed Castle 09/05/26
Chicago post-punk professionals FACS drop by The Ed Castle Hotel to blast away the cold autumn night with help from two local dynamos.
Words & Images Brad Pine
FACS w/ Chimers & Twine @ The Ed Castle 09/05/26
When I heard that FACS were touring Australia in support of their latest album Wish Defense, I was quick to grab a spot to see them. Stumbling across their 2023 release, Still Life In Decay, I was instantly hooked on what this band has to offer in the vast world of post-punk in the 21st century. Little may be known of the band here in Australia, but after tonight’s gig, that should be changing.
Walking into The Ed Castle Hotel, I quickly noticed that we were a little early. So, we grabbed a drink and sat near a TV showing reruns of Ren & Stimpy. Within the background noise was FACS doing a sound check in the band room. It was an obscure mix of nostalgia – classic cartoons alongside noisy drones reminiscent of the heyday of the post-punk evolution.
Inside the band room, the merch stand, bar and stage were all remarkably close to each other. Even the various bands’ instruments and equipment were strewn around the outer rim of the stage, a closeness to all elements of tonight’s gig.
The night was split into three acts: first on the stage was local act Twine. The band has deep roots within the Adelaide music scene, with frontman Tom Katsaras starting as a solo act before gaining more band members in his move to Melbourne.
Centre stage was violinist Vindi Ferguson, who at times faced away from the crowd, seemingly lost to her instrument in synchronicity with the rest of the band. The music mixed folky undertones with the hallmarks of post-punk bursting through.
The noisy dirge of ‘Deer In The Headlights’ was the major engagement for the crowd. But it was the closer ‘Hot Dog’ that had the biggest impact. From Katsaras’ vocal breaks to the incredible finale of drummer James Dimick, who literally brought the whole band around him in a swell of distorted bliss. Intense and wonderful.
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Next, two-piece Chimers from Wollongong burst onto the stage with no let-up throughout the set. Drummer Binx and singer/guitarist Padraic Skehan showed their innate wisdom for garage rock and punk with a blistering set.
Initially, ‘Generator’ perked my interest as the connection between the two musicians was evident. They existed as one, pinpointed by the amazing way that the intended pauses and silences were as powerful as the music itself.
Binx took the vocals on ‘An Echo’, which was a beautiful surprise, before Skehan returned to vocals, closing the set with ‘Timber.’ This was the first time Chimers had performed in Adelaide – speaking to them after the show, I made it known that they gained a few fans after that set. Definitely a band to follow and catch next time they are here.
FACS made their way to the stage, tinkering with setlists and instruments. Without warning, they started their set a little earlier, catching some of the crowd off-guard with their first couple of songs, ‘Lock & Key’ and ‘A Room.’
From the outset, you could see why Twine and Chimers were a perfect fit for FACS. The dirge-iness and power from each of those earlier bands became heightened by the Chicago trio. Singer Brian Case was enigmatic from the beginning – many eyes were transfixed on him throughout the opening songs.
However, it was in ‘Skylarking’ that attention moved to drummer Noah Leger, who was intense and never let up at any moment. Even though the song grooved along slower than the opening numbers, this showed the dynamic range that FACS work within.
Bassist Jonathan van Herik was not without note – his distinctive basslines created the foundation that the others built upon. There was not much dialogue between the band and the crowd, allowing for a free-flowing sonic noisescape to envelop us all.
Bathed in purple light, the highlight of the set was the title track from FACS’ new album, Wish Defense. The trio were in perfect correlation with each other, even with Case in a trance-like state, both on vocals and with his guitar playing. The crowd moved along within the trance - it was an exquisite moment.
The only real break in the set came with quick thank yous from Case to the supporting bands and The Ed Castle crew for putting on the night. ‘Strawberry Cough’ and ‘Sometimes Only’ ended the set with Case and van Herik using the feedback of the amps to create a distorted soundscape against the powerful drumming of Leger. The droning sounds could have continued even longer, but FACS’ time in Adelaide had come to an end.
Sometimes I do not like to compare previous concerts and gigs to the ones I have just seen. But this venue and lineup were a darker experience than some concerts I have seen this year. In no way is that a bad thing. It is more the fact that every experience of live music brings new and unique moments that cannot be replicated. Twine, Chimers and FACS all incorporated elements that I love in music – intense dynamics, a passion for the art, and the balance of light and dark. FACS are underappreciated here, and we should spread their name as far as we can. I know I will be talking about this gig for a while to come.
