Gig Review: Ronnie Simmons and the Redback Spiders + Avalanche + Liquid Zoo + Wicked Things on Sydney Harbour

Live review: Ronnie Simmons and the Redback Spiders, Avalanche, Liquid Zoo and Wicked Things  on Simo’s Dive Boat, Sydney Harbour on Saturday, September 14 2024

SYDNEY Harbour at night is just about the perfect backdrop for anything – and rock cruises tend to be loads of fun – so this launch show packed with killer local bands was just about the ideal package. The idea of setting the bands up on the roof of the boat was a great one; it’s just a shame the weather had other ideas – heavy winds with 40 kph gusts started up just before everything kicked off.

The conditions proved a challenge for everyone, but especially for energetic young party rockers Wicked Things. After a charming warm-up chatting with some Argentinian guys in the crowd, they kicked into their high-energy set only for it to be almost derailed when a mighty gust almost blew part of the drum kit over. With the help of other band members and some heavy gaffing, they battled through like champions, pulling off a wild set of fun, Van Halen-inspired party music with blistering string action. It was good vibes all around, including an obligatory cover of “Panama”, and a great way to begin the evening.

After a few minutes downstairs sheltering from the icy gale, I returned to find The Stooges playing. Or, at least, a band doing a very good and spirited interpretation of them: Liquid Zoo have the look, the moves and the sound. With a half-snarl, their singer struts and contorts as the band lays down raw Detroit-style rock and roll with a hint of late sixties Stones danger. The cover of “Gimme Head” is unexpected but fits right into their aesthetic. They’re a cool band playing homage to a lengendary era with real authenticity.

Avalanche have been playing every pub and dive bar around the Sydney area that will have them for months, and it shows. Steve Campbell roars at the crowd like he’s at a festival and then they unleash a tremendously loud, straight-ahead assault. Tonight’s set is only six songs, but each one is delivered like a rock and roll hammer blow. I’m not sure if there it was a lull in the wind just the band’s energy making things not so icy for a half hour or so but Campbell felt the need to go shirtless for the last half of the set, introducing new song “Dad, I Joined a Rock and Roll Band” to an audience for the first time. It’s yet another track that bristles with tough riffs and scorching lead guitar from Veronica Campbell weaving through the small but enthusiastic crowd braving the conditions to catch an exciting and tight young rock band.

Finally it was time for the hosts for the evening – Ronnie Simmons and the Redback Spiders, on just their third ever hit out and launching their first single tonight. Simmons suffered some poor luck recently as hand surgery has put him out of action with his regular gig, Rose Tattoo, so he was able to pour all his energy into this, energy he needed to pour with so many great bands on before him. Simmons oozes a breezy charm, his lanky frame leaning into the mic, a grit to his voice this evening that adds another level to his confident swagger. The Redback Spiders are a sharp and well-honed unit powering through songs that pull from punk and Aussie pub rock with hints of ska here and there, much to the delight of the gent in the flat cap down the front. The single “Alone With You” has a sweet yearning in stark contrast to kiss-offs like “Don’t Follow Me” and there’s a quick punk take on Billy Joel’s “You May Be Right” among a bunch of other catchy, quickfire tunes. I’ve seen this band at both of their previous shows and they’re only getting better. Ronnie is beaming as he pushes through the pain in his hand and his band are simply on fire. 

When the wind came through before we had even left the dock tonight this gig could have become a major disappointment. But each band’s efforts at rocking as hard as possible against the prevailing conditions really helped make what could have been a blisteringly cold evening on the harbour into a night of white hot rock and roll.