Review: Regurgitator @ Prince Bandroom, St Kilda

Regurgitator. Image: Supplied

Review: Regurgitator supported by Moler at Prince Bandroom, St Kilda, 24th November, 2022.

I’m going to go out on a limb and suggest that no one saw this gig coming. However, when it comes to the like of Regurgitator and COVID-related measures the word ‘unexpected’ should probably be a little... expected by now.

First announced last month, this headline date from the Gurge was initially a bit of an enigma. Paired with a lineup that featured Worker & Parasite and The Fauves, reformed cult favourites TISM were supposed to appear as a support, leaving The Fauves’ set in limbo. 

Fast forward a while, and by the time showtime eve comes along, COVID had reared its ugly head, necessitating a rescheduling from Brisbane’s finest while TISM would hold their own show in the now/empty timeslot.

Ostensibly, Regurgitator and Worker & Parasite were now set to perform a rescheduled date the following Thursday, with fellow ‘90s mainstays Moler joining on support. Again, the day before kick off, it was announced that Worker & Parasite had themselves fallen victim to COVID. With no time for further lineup amendments, the gig was set to go ahead on Thursday evening with solely Moler on support.

Though the crowd itself was a tad sparse as Moler were due to begin (likely a result of Oztix offering refunds to those who had bought tickets for Saturday’s highly-anticipated TISM appearance), the group were in no way put off, with their trademark humour and endearing stage presence giving way to a slick set full of fan favourites and those soon to boast the same honour

“Hi, we’re Regurgitator…’s support band,” joked drummer Dave Peacock as they took to the stage. A brief bit of unplanned banter about a wayward setlist was soon replaced by a rendition of ‘Infatuation’, allowing bassist and vocalist Helen Cattanach to show why she’s long been regarded as one of the most celebrated vocalist in Aussie alt-rock.

Guitarist James McCann’s crushing, distortion-laced work helped to propel other revered cuts such as ‘Invite Me To Your Party’, ‘Shopping Trolley’, ‘Blue Shades’, their rendition of Moe Tucker’s ‘Work’, and the enduring ‘Red Light Disco’. Capping things off with a handful of new ones (and a performance of The Runaways’ ‘School Days’), Moler’s powerful performance (and let’s face it, Cattanach’s inimitable stage presence) was a memorable component of the evening for all and sundry.

If you’ll allow me to add my own personal history into the evening (and it’s my own website, so I won’t stop myself), I’ve been waiting far too long to finally see Moler. Many years of strong fandom has been supplemented by numerous missed opportunities, frustratingly-scheduled work commitments, and – more recently – cancelled performances.

But after many years of waiting, a Thursday evening spent as the support act for Regurgitator undeniably scratched the itch that has long bothered me. And judging by the audience reaction, even those previously unaware of the group likely left as newly-converted fans of the ever-beloved Moler.

With the number of bands on the bill reduced to a very manageable two, Regurgitator wasted no time in darkening the stage with their trademark style. Dressed in matching yellow suits, the trio – comprising Quran Yeomans, Ben Ely, and Pete Kostic – swiftly burst into their eclectic set, launching proceedings with 2007’s ‘Blood And Spunk’. As is tradition, precise instrumentation, rapid-fire movements, and a never-absent smile on Yeomans’ face quickly made themselves apparent, serving as an indicator that while the next hour would be business as usual by all metrics, nothing about it would be standard.

With intense energy and an appetite for ensuring entertainment was their top priority, the group dished out a veritable greatest hits set focusing heavily on their early material. With desperately catchy hooks (no pun intended toward the now COVID-free Kostic), huge choruses, and unbridled passion, cuts like ‘Kong Foo Sing’, ‘Black Bugs’, and the brilliant rap-rock of ‘Track 1’ helped to show exactly why it is that Regurgitator have managed to remain one of the country’s most beloved and enduring bands of the last 30 years.

I’ll also use this opportunity to note how I feel every single Australian music fan should experience a live performance of ‘I Will Lick Your Arsehole’ as something of a rite of passage. Alongside Yeomans’ truly iconic performance style, the rapid-fire lyrics, the tongue-in-cheek (again, no pun intended) musical delivery, and his monumental chorus scream deserve a place in the ARIA Hall of Fame for their unmatched status in the world of local music.

Following the conclusion of their main set, a quick costume change saw the group return, this time clad in leathers and chains, perfectly suiting them for ‘The World Of Sleaze’. Wrapping things up with ‘I, Zombie’, ‘Everyday Formula’, and ‘! (The Song Formerly Known As)’, the group took their leave, wishing us farewell until next time. Thankfully, with the Good Things festival just a week away, that wait won’t be too long.

As is standard though, Regurgitator proved why it is they're the unlikely heroes of the local music scene. Pairing these classic songs with a casual, endearing aspect to their performance which – rather than appearing lazy – simply adds to their charm, a show from the Gurge is one that no one should ever miss; and tonight was proof of why that is.

Regurgitator @ Prince Bandroom, St Kilda 24/11/22 Setlist

'Blood And Spunk'
'Kong Foo Sing'
'Bong In My Eye'
'I Sucked A Lot Of Cock To Get Where I Am'
'Social Disaster'
'I Wanna Be A Nudist'
'Polyester Girl'
'I Like Your Old Stuff Better Than Your New Stuff'
'Track 1'
'Bongzilla'
'I Will Lick Your Arsehole'
'Fat Cop'
'Blubber Boy'
'Black Bugs'

Encore:
'The World Of Sleaze'
'I, Zombie'
'Modern Life'
'Everyday Formula'
'! (The Song Formerly Known As)'