28 Days & Bodyjar – Gig Review & Photo Gallery 9th June @ Republic Bar, Hobart TAS

Posted on June 16, 2019 by walladmin

Bodyjar & 28 Days
Republic Bar, Hobart TAS
June 9th, 2019
Support: Knife Hands

It’s been a long time coming and a bit of a dream to finally see this line up of bands and an even longer time since I last saw 28 Days live. Both of these acts were a big part of the soundtrack to the beginning of a new millennium. My question was how would these songs from two, or more decades ago stand up today? Just nicely!!

A packed to the brim Republic Bar saw so many relive the hazy days of great pop/punk/rap/rock which dominated the JJJ airways at the time. The crowd mainly consisted of 30 something’s that were transported back in their youth again. Reckless, drunk, rowdy and determined to have a good time the packed crowd really was a throwback to times gone by; crowd surfers were handed around, limbs flailing, the near fights amongst groups of mates defending their own. With the room so jam packed it was easy to see how these moments could occur. It took me back to a time where we were so much less politically correct and instead of being seen as having fun it seemed to have a far darker tone today.

Local Hobart guys Knife Hands kicked off the evening’s music belting their way through a world-class set of pop punk. The performance contained mostly new songs from their forthcoming debut, as yet untitled, full-length album which is due later in the year. Opening their set with ‘Three Eyed Crow‘ from their 2016 EP The Doomsday Book they brought us up to speed with what they have been crafting, and it’s damn good. They won a bunch of fans on the night with their show which had the near capacity crowd giving the band full attention for the short but ever so sweet set. If you aren’t aware of whom Knife Hands are, please check them out on Spotify and Facebook. I am picking these guys as one to watch!!

Bodyjar took the stage next as they had a 6am flight out of Hobart the next day, and from what I can gather was one of the few times they haven’t closed the show. Bodyjar dug deep into their 25 year history and delivered a great set of hits and material from 2017’s EP Terra Firma, but it was the hits that everyone was there for, frontman Cameron Baines asking the crowd “so you guys really wanna hear our old shit?” to which the crowd erupted and they launched into ‘Not The Same‘ from 2000’s How It Works album. From this point on the nostalgia train had picked up some major speed as they blasted their way through hit after hit. Vocal and Guitar and partners in crime Tom Read and Cameron Barnes looked to be having a complete blast, their energy was infectious and the fun was obvious. The rhythm section of Grant Relf and Shane Wakker were tight and unstoppable. However it was over way too soon, which meant songs like ’17 Years’, ‘You’ve Taken Everything’, ‘Too Drunk To Drive’, ‘Borderline’ and ‘Glossy Books‘ unfortunately didn’t get a look in. A great set from an amazing band who have written some truly fun and infectious songs that have stood the test of time.

28 Days were the perfect way to close the night. From the moment the ripping riff to ‘Say What?‘ Crunched through the PA it was on. Jay Dunne was a ball of energy and looked as though he had spent the last 19 years in the fountain of youth. I forgot just how powerful 28 Days were live, but it took no time at all to be reminded. Their set was a really well delivered trip through the band’s history delivering ALL the hits. Despite some technical in ear monitor issues, Jay had the crowd eating from the palm of his hand with his interaction. Was this a nostalgic set for me? Unashamedly yes; I had a complete blast, for me, the highlight of their set was ‘Say What?’, ‘Sucker’, ‘Deadly Like’ and ‘Rip It Up’. Almost 2 decades later I found myself revisiting 28 Days on Spotify while driving home, but compared to what I had just experienced it was lacking something. This was a powerful, ball to the wall, fun rock show.

All in all aside from the venue perhaps being a little overcrowded (sardines have more room to move), really poor lighting, copping a few knocks and bumps and a good spraying of beer (thank you to the asshole that managed to dump an entire beer over me and my camera as well) it was a great gig and would do it all over again in a heartbeat.

After all, it was a punk rock show!!!!

Gig Review & Photo Gallery by Andrew Slaidins. Instagram @shot_by_slaidins
Please credit Wall of Sound and Andrew Slaidins if you repost any photos.

Knife Hands