FANGZ- Self Medicate Tour: Live @ The Basement
Pictured: Samuel Sheumack, Jameel Majam, Joshua Cottreau + Steve Woodward - FANGZ
Photo by: Kim Quint
Supported by: DOWN FOR TOMORROW and BOX DYE @ The Basement - Canberra, ACT - Friday 16 April 2021
Written by: Daniel Hall - Sense Music Media
Sydney punk rock band FANGZ are on a run of shows promoting their latest single ‘Self Medicate’. The track has all you would expect from the Sydney band, combining catchy melodic vocals, rocking riffs and plenty of energy. The video clip for the single has the guys in their signature Adidas tracksuits with some sick psychedelic images spraying around in the background.
The Review
To say I was excited walking into The Basement on Friday would be an understatement, this gig being only my second after ‘you know what’. I was chatting to Sam (FANGZ guitarist) pre-gig and we were both saying “It’s so good to be back and to have standing shows again.” This was also the 3rd show on the tour and all of them have sold out so far.
BOX DYE from Canberra opened the night. Sounds of 90's grunge swept through the room. This local 3 piece had the crowd pumped come the end of their set.
DOWN FOR TOMORROW were up next and really come out punching. These guys and gal have some real energy and a great live sound. This band are definitely one to look out for if you like some grungey, punk rock goodness right up in your ear holes.
FANGZ hit the stage next. My girl and I were taking bets on what colour tracksuits they would be wearing… and this time around Green was the winner. C’mon Adidas? Sponsor these dudes already! The band grabbed a drink and came together on stage, held their drinks up high, banged a cheers and chugged them down.
They came in hot and opened with Drifter. The crowd went mental as did I. From the get go I knew this was going to be a cracker set and what was to follow did not disappoint. They moved on to play Victims then Self Medicate. FANGZ already has a party rock ‘n’ roll reputation to uphold while having heaps of fun along the way. Let’s just say dirty, filthy, rock n roll filled the room and the crowd was up for it. There were already punters stage diving and the mosh pit was getting busy.
The next few songs were Voices, Crossroads and Wastr - all tracks from their first EP - followed by Falling Out. During this frenzy there were bodies flying everywhere, from people crowd surfing and busting out to FANGZ doing what they do best; tearing the Basement a new one.
At one stage, vocalist, Josh Cottreau was hanging upside down from the roof and crowd surfing. Guitarist, Sam Sheumack, was either shredding a solo or riffing away, bassist Jameel Majam was seen plugging away on bass or smashing beers on his head and sculling them and providing backing vox. All the while drummer Woodie (Steve Woodward) was keeping time on the tubs.
During a brief stoppage the band asked if anyone could do a backflip. Enter ol mate, that will be forever known as, Backflip Guy. The boys handed him a can of Carlton Dry for his dextrous display. A cover of Get Free from THE VINES and Who Are We Now came next.
Josh thanked the crowd for a sick night, also saying this will be the last song of the night and opened the stage to all the females in the room. One For You One For Me closed it out with just about every chick in the room stage diving and crowd surfing throughout.
The Verdict
This will be a gig to remember, where everybody was looking out for one another and immersing themselves in what was a sweaty, beer drenched rock ‘n’ roll show.
5/5
Pictured: FANGZ posing with their adoring fans!
Image taken from footage by Kim Quint
