Thrice – Gig Review & Photo Gallery 5th September @ Lion Arts Factory, Adelaide SA

Thrice
Lion Arts Factory, Adelaide SA
Tuesday 5th September 2023
Support: St Judes

A fascinating part of the discovery of impactful art is the realisation of its inspiration. For example, the painting Café Terrace At Night by Vincent Van Gogh was derived from the venue Café Place du Forum later renamed to Le Café Van Gogh. Although not in the same artistic field but still a mesmerising work of creativity, Thrice’s major label debut’s title The Artist In The Ambulance was somewhat motivated by a short story in an issue of Burn Collector by Al Burian. He pondered the question of artistic responsibility and a burning inquisition then presented itself in asking: "if artists have the responsibility to do something more than entertain?"

2023 marks two decades since the seminal record’s release, but what is probably not documented well enough is the trajectory the quartet experienced from those twelve tracks; it was practically inconceivable. Television appearances, mainstream radio play, global touring including major festivals as well as their first Australian tour in 2004 with Alkaline Trio and Hot Water Music.

Consequently, a significant work of art of this nature basically requires the musicians to revisit the compositions for their entire career. Thrice even re-recorded and released the LP recently featuring guest musicians to acknowledge its importance. The four-piece have more-or-less committed a large portion of 2023 touring and performing the album in full throughout the world. However, the question that arises refers back to the album’s title and to a degree its inspiration: "Is this simply to entertain"?

Before the topical question is addressed by the headline act, local punk quipsters St Judes had the distinct honour of opening this sold out event. With speed and wit being the four-piece’s motif, their fast-paced skate-punk formula engaged the audience splendidly to warm up for the Californians. Their most recent EP’s title track ‘Black Gold’ was a brilliant blast of Good Riddance inspired exuberance; ‘Seizure The Fun’ - although poking fun at vocalist/guitarist Dan Jenkins who suffers from epilepsy, was sensationally striking and would have probably inspirited The Lawrence Arms to create another LP. Then closer ‘Snowy River’, which is not about our former Prime Minister enjoying narcotics as joked by St Judes, gave a nod of respect to Off With Their Heads and assisted the crowd in preparing to use that outfit’s name as their perception.

Dissimilar to other momentous events, there was not an extended waiting time for the headline act. It felt like moments after the stage technicians began removing equipment that suddenly Lion Arts Factory darkened and four men appeared on stage, these were: Dustin Kensrue, Teppei Teranishi, and brothers Eddie and Riley Breckenridge. Collectively known as California’s post hardcore titans Thrice.

“They are sick, they are poor.” Mr Kensrue bellows with his husky croon signalling the launchpad of the four-piece’s beloved third full-length and their energy provoking opener ‘Cold Cash And Colder Hearts’. It acted as an earthquake in the sense that the devotees were unable to be still, they had to react to the movement of rock that wasn’t underneath, but all around them. ‘Under A Killing Moon’ became a math-post-metalcore onslaught where Dustin howled “And Watch The Witches Burn”. It practically felt like a fire had been lit under the venue with people reaching upwards and screaming along, not in fear, but in feverish infatuation.

‘All That’s Left’ acted as a ballad to the struggles of modern life and how draining the situation can be, yet we remain resilient – is this the anthem to the state of living? Perhaps we should be singing this together worldwide to prove we have fight in us. The boom of ‘Silhouette’ was thunderous and accentuated by the shattering drumming of Riley Breckenridge. ‘Stare At The Sun’ was as poetic as the lyrics themselves; a venue karaoke with crowd surfers and immeasurable emotion ensued excellently. Truthfully Dustin Kensrue could have left the entire vocal element to Adelaide – this was compelling beyond measure.

‘Paper Tigers’ was arguably the heaviest Thrice have sounded in Australia - repetitive resounding breakdowns with an aggression of predatory determination. It was enraged and remarkable. ‘Hoods On Peregrine’ packed political punch that remains brilliantly relevant even after two decades. It was at this point that a short and welcomed rest was administered – Mr Kensure spoke humbly and thankfully only to be interrupted by a crowd member exclaiming: “Best album EVER!”
He simply replied: “Really?” and then began ‘The Melting Point Of Wax’ and it was here that Dustin proved that even after 25 years, his voice is better than ever.
‘Blood Clots And Black Holes’ was frightening in its dynamic of loud-meets-quiet post hardcore, especially the heaviness of the shouted lyrics “Break It Down”. The title track then did the opposite, a near romantic serenade promoting honesty and hope. It became a spiritual sentiment in an astounding fashion.
“Wake Up Everyone” – what profound words describing the existence we are in and that’s what the flawlessly titled ‘The Abolition Of Man’ did with admirers shouting along and pumping their fists in the air. ‘Don’t Tell And We Won’t Ask’ was the snapshot of The Artist In The Ambulance, all of the ingredients of virtuosity that projected Thrice to a global phenomenon in just over four minutes. This significance was emphasised by Dustin going completely away from the microphone yelling “Don't we all know we bleed the same red blood?”.

“Thank you very much, that was The Artist In The Ambulance’. He exclaimed politely.

But that was not the conclusion…

The B-side from the LP ‘Motion Isn’t Meaning’ was excellently executed albeit much to the confusion of many present in the venue (this scribe implores fans of the quartet to see the If Only You Could See Us Now documentary and listen to the mini-album). ‘Summer Set Fire To The Rain’ transported the audience to a post hardcore version of Radiohead’s famed art-rock moments and it was spectacular.
Thrice went further back in time to their Illusion Of Safety full-length, whipping up a frenzy with: ‘Where Idols Once Stood’ and the delightfully devastating ‘Deadbolt’.
‘The Weight’ was an indie math rock marvel that left almost everyone aghast in worshipping wonder and this was impossibly outdone by ‘Yellowbelly’.

Drummer Riley was equipped with a Botch t-shirt so inevitably their famed crunch-mathcore was going to make an appearance – it did with ‘Firebreather’. Thrice did ensure to add the cinematic Cult Of Luna post metal elegance alongside it that the song projects perfectly. The audience then became the Thrichestra (Thrice + Orchestra) to harmonise with the “woah” wind down of the theatrical track. It was above breath-taking.

But that was not the conclusion…

An encore was asked for and incredibly administered: ‘Black Honey’ charmed the crowd into a syrup of enchantment. Closer ‘The Earth Will Shake’ was an exemplary and unbelievable display of transitional musical genius, from loud to quiet, from original rhythm and blues to experimental rock, then to the loved resounding post hardcore.

That was the conclusion.

“Do artists have the responsibility to do something more than entertain?”
The answer for Thrice is: Undoubtedly. As the Californians demonstrated at this memorable event – they wanted to give their thanks. They wanted to express their art at their best. They wanted the world to know that they won’t suffer ‘The Long Defeat’ (they performed this fantastically also).

It feels like ‘Everything Belongs’.

Gig Review by Will Oakeshott. Insta: @teenwolfwill