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Live review: The Mark Of Cain with The Maggie Pills and Batpiss at The Croxton, Melbourne, Friday, January 19 2024

By ADAM COOPER

CAPTAIN’S log.
Arrive early at venue for field rations, hydration and some scuttlebutt.
Preparations for what was to come.
Entered the battlefield to the sounds of  The Maggie Pills. I was struck by their enigmatic vocalist, Delfi Sorondo, who reminded me of Magenta from The Rocky Horror Picture Show. In fact a Rocky Horror vibe all around. Somewhere between Blondie and Hole on steroids. I had not seen them before and will see them again no doubt. Full of energy and punk-esque harmony.
Off to the merch area to be fitted out with some kit.
Batpiss. I am at a loss as to how I have never caught these guys live. They have done the hard yards, played many a stage since their inception and there was a definite sense of excitement amongst the punters at their presence. They were fantastic. Swinging like a wrecking ball, they were a surprise attack that took me back to Fugazi and The Jesus Lizard. It was another killer set proving that the night was in fact ground zero and I will definitely be catching their stylings on the Airborne radio system.
Then comes the wait.
That long wait, when you know something full on is coming, but you’re not sure when or where its gonna hit.
Hit they did.
As soon as Kim Scott comes into view, that feeling in your chest is palpable – like anxiety and excitement all at once.
I could not take my eyes off the man … such purpose and intensity. Eli Green (drums) and John Scott (git/vox ) would follow.
We were green for go.
ILL AT EASE in full.
“Interloper”, ‘The Contender”, “LMA” and “Point Man” are all delivered like bullets. It’s a humming machine machine gun, so tight and bass-heavy it was hard not to feel as if you were with them in the battle.
The crowd sweating and singing as one … the love for this well drilled unit was clear and one can see why.
The Mark of Cain won the day and are still fight fit. To miss them would be a court-martial offence.
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