Halloween Hysteria at Mansfield Tavern April 2nd 2022
REVIEW AND PHOTOS BY: BRAD FRY
The postponed Halloween Hysteria festival kicked off at the Mansfield Tavern in Brisbane on the second of April. An absolutely packed list of performers set to do their thing at “Brisbanes LOUDEST Halloween fest”. The Mansfield tavern was a great venue for the festival providing ample room for all the ghosts and ghouls that came to party. Three indoor stages met punters (The Rebel FM stage, The Faction Stage and The Sounds of The Underground Stage) and they were all primed and set to fire late into the night. The venues walls were adorned with skeletons and witches and if you wanted your face painted in Halloween makeup there was an option for that too (I felt my 45 year old mug needed no enhancement to meet the brief so I declined). Cracking weather and a hard working and dedicated crew made the festival thoroughly enjoyable for all that attended. These are the bands my beady eyes had the pleasure of seeing.
Appearing at their first Queensland show since 2019, Victorian based punk rockers Something Something Explosion kicked off the action on the Rebel FM stage in great style setting the mood for the day with high energy and great stage presence. Front woman Grace wasted no time in getting the crowd moving with her Gibson guitar driven sound (a Joan Jett melody maker if I’m not mistaken). Backing up Grace were Shorty on bass and Chad on drums. The uber tight rhythm section of the trio laid down a solid foundation that allowed the band’s punk rock heart to shine through.
Brisbane’s own Wildheart were first up on the Faction stage and the five piece were ON from the jump! I was instantly grabbed by the intensity in front man Axel Best’s eyes. The band ground out their brand of melodic hardcore to the appreciative crowd who seemed entranced by the power and passion this band conjure up. Full disclosure, this was my first Wildheart experience and I am absolutely a fan! After the first song and I was hooked. Wildheart are the real deal and it showed in their music and performance.
The first band to signal the start of proceedings on the Sounds of the underground stage were, fittingly, We Set Signals. Engaging and at home on the stage, the Brissy boys drew in the crowd who were having as much fun as the band themselves. When front man Nicholas Wilson told the crowd to put their hands up he was met with a sea of arms and choral responses to the bands lyrics. Shand the bassist was a focal point of the show with his energy and passion on display and contagious for all those in attendance both on and off the stage.
“Dirty fake punk rock from Brisbane Australia” is how the Flangipanis describe themselves but there was nothing fake about their performance on the Triple M stage. Down regular drummer Josh the band called on their friend Andrè to handle skin duties and he performed the job admirably. Tight punk rock from the rhythm section, full power vocals and guitar from front woman Jodie (aswell as some feminine hygiene advice to boot) made for an enjoyable set. As a side note, I have read that in Thailand if a police office does something wrong, they are given a hello kitty arm band but can never tell anybody what they did to be punished. The fact that guitarist Josh had a hello kitty guitar makes you wonder what he did wrong, but then again maybe somethings are best left to the imagination… The Flangipanis walk it like they talk it and that’s why we love them.
The New South Welshmen, These New South Whales, were next up on the Tripple M stage. When not making TV shows and podcasts the boys are churning out punk rock like only they can do. Frontman Jamie delivers his vocals with a passion and honesty that can’t be faked. The guys seem to have the balance right between all that the do and they wear their punk influences on their sleeves with pride. Entertaining and engaged with the crowd, you could tell that the stage is a comfortable place for the guys as they looked and sounded every bit the punk legends they are.
Before Bare Bones took to The Faction stage I knew we were in for a good show. My guitar nerd self notice the two EVH (Eddie VanHalen) amp heads sitting atop the amp cabinets. Combined with a beautiful Jim Root (Slipknot) Fender Jazzmaster guitar and classic black beauty Gibson Les Paul. I collected my thoughts, wiped the drool from my chin and got into photo mode. As the music kicked off, front man Tom Kennedy paced the stage adding to the suspense. He gripped the mic and let out his ferocious vocals with power and commitment. Got riffs? These guys most certainly do. The riffs flew from from both left and right hand sides of the stage as if pulled forward by the vocals in a slipstream of sonic force. The drumming crashed over your head and tied the guitars and vocals into an impressive package that left a lasting impression. Missing their bass player, the Sydney boys dominated the stage and were a welcome addition to the days antics.
“I want to see a wall of death” roared Melbourne band Gavemind’s front man. The crowed obliged as quickly as the older photographer beside me lost some colour from his face (before retreating quickly the the side of the crowd). Bathed is stage smoke the band hit the ground running with a dual seven string guitar attack backed by hard hitting drums. Well know to the crowd that gathered, the bands lyrics were echoed back to them with as equal a passion as they were delivered. Frontman Bailey Schembri was drawn to the adoring fans, climbing down into the photo pit to get up close and personal and performing with a choir of the faithful. Well received by the crowd and much loved by the fans, with continued performances like this one the future looks bright for the Gravemind boys.
It was time for Sydney band Arse to take to the sounds of the underground stage and after a sound check the power trio got to work. They are a no fuss honest band that conjure the spirit of a punk era past. Drums, bass (with a chain for a strap) guitar, vocals and frenetic energy. Lyrics that relate to everyday life draw you in to the music and give you and outlet for any frustrations you have. Exquisite musical ability wrapped up in an unassuming package. It’s a beautiful thing. Now to explain why Arse Band is in my search history.
I caught Loser on the Faction Stage. These guys were smiles all round as the set up for their set. A sound check from the boys and the show was underway. The popular Melbourne trio pumped out their trademark punk rock to the cheers of the Halloween Hysteria crowd. Bathed in light the stage drew the punters attention as they were presented with a hook filled set. I got a real sense of joy from the guys as they entertained the crowd from go to whoa. They aren’t trying to be anything they’re not which makes them everything that they are.
Stepson earns my MVP award for the day. After some technical difficulties with their intro track (and being down their frontman) the guys stilled killed it. Nicholas Farr took on vocal duties due to Brock Conry being sick and the Blood Knuckles singer was absolutely up to the task! The guys were joined by Robert Southern on guitar helping fill the gap left by Farr. The guys were at their Hardcore best for their home crowd and to say they weren’t a crowd favourite would be a lie. The boys are a tight unit and appeared to be more like brothers than band mates as they poured out their hearts into their performance. I just wanted more and more from the guys and I felt that from the crowd as the set powered on.
A wild show, frantic music and overalls, this is Fangz! “This is best fucking night of my life” announced Jameel over the microphone and after the Fangz set I’m sure the crowd were feeling the same. Josh owned the Faction stage from the first song. He was on it, off it, on the barrier and even out in the crowd. He got the crowd to all get down low with him and then jump up with him at a key point in the song. Sam cracked out riff after riff from below his crown of dreadlocks. Woodie on the drums held down the rhythm as light and smoke made it tough to see him but thankfully his mohawk help him stand out. I absolutely loved what the guys put down and found myself smiling throughout the show.
Redhook took to the stage bathed in red and blue lights. Front woman Emmy moved around the stage effortlessly and had the crowd in the palm of her hand from the moment her vocals hit their eager ears. The Sydney based band know how to entertain! From the tight rhythms to their engaging stage craft, they a force to be reckoned with. At one point Redhook were joined on stage by The Dead Love guitarist Stevie Knight as Craig took on Saxophone duties. Ned and Alex work so well together as a rhythm section that it allows Craig and Emmy to dance ethereally on top like a breeze over the ocean. More Redhook is going to be needed going forward because now I know what I have been missing!
What can you say about Spiderbait that hasn’t been said already. The trio strolled onstage with a vibe that said thank you. They were humble, grateful and amazing. A barefoot Kram put down his wine and spoke as though you were sitting across a table from him and not standing in a sea of eager fans. The miles on Damian Whitty’s SG were more than evident but like a good wine, it’s sound has only gotten better with time. Janet surveyed the other members of the band with a smile that was one of contentment. They built up their set softly, steadily drawing the crowd closer and closer before cranking into some of their most beloved and popular songs. At one point a lady in the crowd became overwhelmed and the band stopped to make sure she was ok. They got her out, let her go backstage and were going to sling her some merch... all class. It was surreal to see Spiderbait and an honour to shoot them.
Water. The elixir of life. As I waited in the photo pit for King Parrot to start their set, I noticed how many bottles of water were being bought out and put near the fold back speakers. Having never been to a King parrot show I thought to myself “these guys must drink a lot of water during their set”. It was only after a spin kick from frontman Matthew Young and the band kicked into gear it became obvious as to why so much water….to throw on the crowd and as a consequence us! The performance was brutal from the first song to the last. Masters of stage presence the band had the crowd swarming in no time. Water poured from the stage and beer and bourbon (probably other drinks too but those two were all I tasted as it rained on me). Stage divers came and went all amongst the whirlwind stage action. Once it was over it was like we had all been dumped by a wave, we were soaked, shocked and left wanting more!
Clowns closed out the day on the Triple M Stage. What a band! These guys came to party! Such an energetic set that it’s hard to know where to look. Stevie Williams is a front man’s front man. He has it all from the vocal chops to the stage presence, although, he spent as much time with the crowd as he did the band which only adds to their love for him and the whole band. The set was packed with the bands most loved songs, the crowd sung and it only proved to push the band harder. Such stellar music from these guys that I don’t know where else you could put them in a festival line-up other than to close it out. They are simply amazing!!
A fantastic day spent at the Mansfield Tavern for Halloween Hysteria. Every band bought their A game and the venue was perfect, with plenty of room and facilities for all that attended. The stage crews had the bands and their gear on and off for their sets fast and the sound and lighting guys were fantastic. The security team were onto anything out of hand but they let all the punters have their fun. Big love to Joey and his team at Hysteria Magazine for all the hard work and to Rawing In The Pit Media for sending me along. It was a hell of a way to spend the day!
