Live review: Nursery Crimes, Waylayd and Quaid at Young Street Tavern, Frankston on Friday, October 2 2026
By ADAM COOPER
IF THERE is anything better than car pooling to a gig with friends, then I don’t know what it is. Back in the nineties, being a Melbourne boy, a weekly occurrence would be to all jump in a chariot with desi and hit up The Punters Club, The Great Britain or The Tote.
Friday just gone felt like that.
Not only flying down the M3 with a mate, but walking into Young Street Tavern in Franga, I was transported instantly to my early twenties. Clint (Hyndman, from Something for Kate and owner of the venue), has somehow taken the ghosts and vibes of the aforementioned pubs and like out of a Harry Potter novel, magically transformed this south eastern peninsula venue into a beautiful time capsule.
It’s a modern venue in regard to food and bev options but head upstairs to the band room and voila: 1994! That is not a bad thing by the way!
On the bill tonight… Nursery Crimes! The gold standard of Aussie punk pop.
But first to the pitch was Quaid, named after Randy Quaid (in a long-winded funny story that I never was quite privy to) and featuring Brad Young on vox and Darren Hodges on drums. These are blokes you would have seen either on a stage or in the crowd at many a gig over the journey.
Quaid were a great opener. With their college rock stylings and self-deprecating humour, they moved from slower tracks to rockin’ mosh-friendly bangers. Some nice four-part vocal choruses made for an enjoyable set. Quaid, you are far from the shittiest band ever, even if you try to convince us otherwise.
Next beater up, Waylayd: Local peninsula legends that formed many moons ago, their experience and points on the board showing through. Skate punk tunes drilled down tight. We had awesome harmonies and a solid set that they have down to a fine art. Do check them out if you can.
Nursery Crimes hit the stage and like a bludger being smashed to oblivion, we were right there in the game with them. Heaving and sweaty, we were treated to classics “Who’s Sorry Now”, “Marked by Time” and “Eleanor Rigby”. But it was with great excitement we heard new material!
Yes, new ‘Crimes tracks. A new album is on the horizon for the first time in 30-plus years. A stand out was, the recently-penned “Worlds Apart” – very sweetly dedicated to yours truly, making my night.
We loved The Crimes then and we still love them now. NC new student Dave Ross, from Massappeal fame, is on the tubs and he hasn’t missed a beat.
I closed my eyes at one point and felt like no time had passed.
Keen for the new album to drop, Crimes are doing the rounds at the moment. Go see ’em! You’ll feel like you just ate a Fizzing Whizbee, I guarantee it.
