It’s great to have them back.
It’s been a little while since the people of Melbourne have seen or heard from Perth’s Gyroscope, who are currently making their way around the country on their 4YRLV tour. Supporting the new single of the same name, there is something a little bittersweet about the band’s return to the stages of Australia in that it will be the last time for drummer and founding member, Rob Nassif.
Opening the show tonight are Sydney band’s Fangz and Planet, who unfortunately fall victim to small crowds despite both of their impressive performances. Fangz are somewhat of a Melbourne staple having toured through countless times, always bringing their gritty pub-rock and energy with each visit. Planet seem to be on the same ’90s Oasis-influenced alternative rock trip that bands like DMAs and Sticky Fingers have brought to the fore. It must be a Sydney thing? Gold chains, turtlenecks, and centre-part undercuts aside, Planet’s Brian Molko-inspired vocals, and driving rock with pop tinges was a pleasant experience indeed.
None of this, however, was suitable preparation for the energy that headliners Gyroscope brought to the stage with opening track ‘Doctor Doctor’. Having seen this band plenty of times over the last 15 years, there was a new level of grit, rockstar attitude, and energetic exuberance to their performance. In particular, with frontman Daniel Sanders’ vocal delivery, which has become a constant scream that does not disappoint. Gyroscope have never been heavier, and it is glorious.
The huge set starter continued with ‘I Still Taste Blood’, and the new single ‘4YRLV’ before the band and the audience were given a chance to breathe.
One of the more exceptional performances of the night came with the song ‘Safe Forever’, during which Sanders decided to spend the majority of the track in the crowd leaving Zoran Trivic and Brad Campbell to hold the stage and vocal duties. Wrapped up in a mic lead while swinging his guitar around like a madman, Sanders was given a pony ride and many a hair-scuffle as the band erupted from the song’s well-known breakdown.
The show served as somewhat of a greatest hits show as the set ended with the usual mashup of ‘Fast Girl’ and Midnight Oil’s ‘Beds Are Burning’, before the colossal closer ‘Snakeskin’.
With plenty of new music promised, as well as a verbal commitment to a return tour made on stage by Campbell, the future of Gyroscope is uncertain but promising. One thing is for sure, with energy and passion like they displayed at Max Watt’s, Gyroscope still have plenty left in the tank.
Highlight: The rockstar moment in the crowd, which included a pony ride during ‘Safe Forever’.
Lowlight: Seeing Rob Nassif behind the kit for Gyroscope one last time.
Crowd favourite: The energy of opener ‘Doctor Doctor’.
