Live Review: The Celibate Rifles, Purple Urchin, Leeches!

No need for Friday the 13th superstition at Amplifier Bar last Friday, where lucky punters welcomed the long overdue return to the west coast of arguable punk-rock royalty, The Celibate Rifles.

Leeches! opened proceedings with a punchy set that crammed a lot of sound into a small slot. The energetic trio got into the ring and delivered as many two-minute sonic punches as the punters could take. Shout-outs must go to drummer Leroy Sonic who took to the stage two days after surgery — bravo! Huge applause was given by all. 

Purple Urchin dialled back the tempo, if only slightly, and delivered a set filled with catchy, fuzz-soaked riffs that dripped from the venue walls. The infectious songs and guitar hooks had everyone in attendance nodding with approval.

The Celibate Rifles assembled themselves on stage in their trademark understated fashion and then exploded, breaking a decade-long hiatus away from WA for appreciative local fans. The dual guitar attack of Kent Steedman and Paul Morris was sensational, all those years together acting like an umbilical cord between the two. The whole rhythm section rocked out faultlessly and delivered with the precision you'd expect from a class act like The Celibate Rifles.

Over 30 years of experience in the business is hard to pack into 90 minutes on stage, but uber-casual frontman Damien Lovelock and co did a stellar job of peppering the set with all the fan favourites and a joke or two. Johnny, Kev The Head and Electravision Mantra were standouts while O Salvation got the crowd singing along with the band.

The Celibate Rifles' music has stood the test of time. Their lyrics are clever, thought-provoking, at times amusing and probably more relevant today than when they were written. Add this to some damn fine music and The Celibate Rifles are the full package.

It had been a long wait, but to quote a Spaceman In A Satin Suit song title: Let's Do It Again!