Live Review: Swervedriver @ Lion Arts Factory 15/09/26

"You free the weight from my mind." – 'Flawed', Sunblasted EP, Adam Franklin, Swervedriver 1991.

35 years ago, when this song was unveiled to the world, there was, in all likelihood, significantly less weight on our minds. Such are the consequences of growing older and (somewhat) maturing. However, in more recent times, this weight has become vastly heavier. The economic crisis that seems to be accepted as our "new normal" is devastating our livelihood; the still-possible impending World War is truthfully terrifying; illnesses, as well as new and old viruses, are emerging and spreading at alarming rates – the prospective "light at the end of the tunnel" seems to be diminishing more and more.

Gratefully, the arts can always offer a glimmer of hope.

The "glimmer" can arise from a beyond-memorable film, a bedazzling picture, a remarkable poem, and especially in reference to this article, a timeless piece of music. Essentially, the "glimmer of hope" comes in the form of escapism.

On this evening, hundreds of indie and alt-rock adorers made their way to the Lion Arts Factory to escape reality and find some light among the darkness for just a few treasured hours. As we stood, swayed, rocked and gazed adoringly at the magnificent musicians who provided this artistic getaway, we were gratefully out of the woods of despair.

"You free the weight from my mind."

Wollongong's Chimers had the distinct honour of being the support act for the east coast shows of this greatly anticipated return Australian tour of Oxford's Swervedriver. Undeniably, the duo left a lasting impression of bewilderment on the unsuspecting crowd.

Guitarist/vocalist Padraic Skehan and his life partner drummer/vocalist Binx do not simply make an entrance onto the stage and introduce themselves when they present their live demonstration. The duo erupt in a cataclysmic thunderclap of loud and frantic garage post-punk, with at times, post-hardcore hysteria.

The shockwave of 'Gossip' literally struck the witnesses with such turbulent force that many had to regain their balance and composure, in the best way possible. The charged composition fused the powerful and precise percussion of math indie rock magicians MuteMath with the rock'n'roll swagger of Queens Of The Stone Age so extraordinarily that it is impossible to believe that the two-piece have only realistically been a band for six years.

The incredible irony that Mr Skehan coarsely crooned the words, "Wake Up", was frankly, perfect.

'Glossary' executed a charismatic chaos that magically channelled Savages undertaking a Brit-pop soundscape, but with an At The Drive-In vivacity. 'Beasts' emitted an astonishing aura of Pianos Become The Teeth undertaking a raw punk anthem. Then 'Timber' galloped with such post-punk vigour that Martin Hannett would have risen from his grave in exhilaration.

"Thank you, we are Chimers from Wollongong, New South Wales. Well, you know, New South Wales…" Padraic mused with an enamouring smile.

The band then launched into 'People Listen (To The Radio)', which would have caused noisecore rockers Hammok to become exceedingly envious. '3AM' followed and magically combined Tigers Jaw with The Bronx in a gritty-indie-punk-rock extravaganza that hypnotised the entire venue.

Not only had Chimers succeeded in setting our minds free of their respective weight, but we were also now mindlessly happy. See this duo at your next opportunity; they are truly enthralling.

READ MORE: Live Review: Ocean Sleeper @ Hindley Street Music Hall 11/09/26

There is a wondrous eccentricity about the 'Twin Peaks Theme' that instigates a gloomy excitement in the witnesses when it is experienced. Although when drummer Graham Bonnar, bassist Mick Quinn, lead guitarist Jimmy Hartridge and the renowned vocalist/guitarist Adam Franklin stepped out onto the Lion Arts platform, the gloom was eradicated by deafening cheers from the hundreds of Swervedriver devotees before them.

Understandably so, it had been too long.

Celebrating the 35th anniversary of their critically acclaimed debut album Raise, the quartet upheld an inspirited magnetism when they commenced the tantalising track 'Sci Flyer'. A composition featuring a beautiful disorder of hard-hitting alternative math rock, which was above charming in its confusing odyssey of crushing percussion and wailing guitar solos. 

The wait was over.

'Pile Up' expanded these spellbinding musical elements in a fascinating amalgamation of the sonic landscapes crafted by This Town Needs Guns and Sunny Day Real Estate. 'Son Of Mustang Ford' was a fiery journey of jangly, heavy indie-rock which Oleander would more-than-likely wish they could have composed. The interchanging guitar combat between Hartridge and Franklin was awe-inspiring, while Bonnar shook the floors below with his pulverising drumming.

'Deep Seat' prompted the shoegaze panorama enchantingly, with edgier movements in desert rock, post-grunge and psychedelia contributing to a spectacular effect. It was at this juncture that Swervedriver assuredly began their cosmic spiritual music voyage.

Unquestionably, Adelaide was aboard and astounded to take flight with these English alt-rock luminaries.

'Rave Down' was a faultless grunge lullaby that enlivened all present, especially the band themselves when they soared into fast-paced punk.

"Thank you so much, ladies and gentlemen. It's been a long time," Mr Franklin disclosed in thankful disbelief.

'Sunset' was the song Mineral wish they had written, and perhaps a co-headline tour of both prestigious outfits should happen in the very near future. 'Feel So Real' excellently projected footage of the 1982 Australian outback car race action movie Running On Empty on the venue's back screen - a brilliant and electrifying coalescence of film and music, with a hint of humour.

'Sandblasted' was a delightful, dreary dream of theatrical distorted shoegaze that had to be seen to be believed. Then, closer 'Lead Me Where You Dare' translated into an indie-pop-shoegaze-desert-rock expedition that felt like an acid trip. The progressive nature of the showcase was practically of a different dimension, and gravity also seemingly vanished, to a degree.

Here ends Raise…

However, this was not the end of the exhibition - far from it. A bright red and turquoise sign shone from the back screen again, with one simple word emblazoned upon it: "SWERVEDRIVER".

The four-piece returned and rock'n'rolled out 'Juggernaut Rides', well… on the second attempt. A dynamite exploration of classical rock but with an artistic radiance, this was assuredly a wonderful jagged beginning to chapter two of the demonstration.

'Out' was a crunchier affair with countless layers, a spellbinding composition which Jimmy Eat World would irrefutably admire. 'The Birds' returned to a marvellous math-rock motif, which was jarring and joyous simultaneously; a sensational display of rhapsodic craziness and euphoria.

Seems hard to believe, doesn’t it?

'Flawed' achieved exactly the aforementioned lyrics guiding this very article in radiant rockin' exultation. 'For A Day Like Tomorrow' was a tender, country-driven, emotional indie heartfelt number, with a glorious post-rock venture that was out of this world.

'Never Lose That Feeling' reinvigorated the punk-grunge character and atmosphere in an energised presentation of refined wildness. This writer is aware that "refined wildness" is practically an impossibility, but please remember, this is SWERVEDRIVER.

"Thank you so much for inviting us back, Adelaide. I don't know why it's been so long," Franklin professed, hinting that a return should happen much sooner than later.

'Duel' was to be the compelling and heart-pumping conclusion; the loud vs. quiet dynamic of divine artistry, the progressive musicianship of hard indie rock resplendence, the tenderness and counteractive torrential waves of aggression – it was a "duel" in sensational soundscapes.

And on this evening Swervedriver, Adelaide was beyond grateful because: "You free the weight from my mind" (and millions more).

Want more pics of the gig? Check out our full photo gallery here.