Who the heck is CHIMERS? For the uninitiated, anxious waves of restlessness, the Illawarra-based, post-punk/noise duo- Padraic (guitar/vocals) and Binx (drums/vocals), who formed during the pandemic can whip up a sense of angst using just a guitar and drums.
We happened to catch CHIMERS playing their home base of Wollongong, opening for US-based,
seminal indie grunge band, Mudhoney. The hardcore supporters gathered close to the stage while the band started their set, but the tight intensity of the opening track, Goss drew the attention of the wider audience who packed in closely, watching intently as guitarist, Padraic, who comes across as a serious young man, delivering a sense of vastness. If CHIMERS has a ‘commercial track’ it may be the stand-out song Surrounds. It’s fast-paced, you can bop to this, you can dance, and it’s bleak and cool. It feels like it should be a goth kids' anthem for those who’d also enjoy Nick Cave.
feedtime, (Just remember, lower caps when you spell the band's name) the elder statesmen of Aussie post-punk and grunge are still as gruff as ever. Rick feedtime growls and chugs at the guitar, Al thumps the bass and Tom bashes drums while Camel, the elusive honorary fourth member of
feedtime, wails along the opening track, Any Good Thing. They have been a sporadic force for decades, always threatening to go back into hibernation at any given moment, making every show a special event. They give off a strong take it or leave it vibe, they really don’t care if you love it loath it, it is what it is, unapologetically rough. Angry motorbikes inspire a lot of feedtime’s sound with the track HA HA relentlessness rolling guitar. Unfortunately no rendition of I Wanna Ride in this set. Here’s hoping that feedtime will grace us with another set sometime in the near future.
Mudhoney hit hard, delivering a massive 24-track set, with the crowd turning back the clock to their teenage weirdo days, enthralled with their indie hero band. For a band that’s been around a while, they’re as fresh and enthused as ever, attracting the OG fans, along with the younger crowd keen on absorbing some of that 90’s Sub Pop grunge.
The band opened with the classic Into the Drink followed by the energetic Suck You Dry. They have a new album out this year called “Plastic Eternity” with new tracks getting a spin including Move Under, Almost Everything, Souvenir Of My Trip, Here Comes The Flood and Little Dogs – The band’s ode to the small and furry friends of the world was delightful fun, because who can really, deep down, hate a little dog?
The Wollongong Uni Bar is a great venue pick for the band, it’s intimate enough for a grungy sweaty crowd, and there’s no sense of pretension. 'Touch Me, I’m Sick' really got the crowd going.
It’s still a high-energy grunge anthem packin’ a punch as fresh as the day it was released.
Overall, Mudhoney served up a great set, balanced out the new tracks with the old, and easily engaged their dedicated fans and newcomers alike. Highly recommended!
Listen here!
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