Live Review: Title Fight, Paper Arms, Oslow

A pretty mixed all-ages crowd came in early for Sydney’s Oslow. Jacob Rossi’s brilliant, spindly single-coil leads were laid over heavy rhythms. The one-two of Deer In The Works and new tune, Fatigue, was a killer middle, showing off clear direction and ample skills. An album in the works is definitely one to sweat on.

Oslow’s solid crowd flowed back in pretty slowly through the set of Paper Arms. New song, Blackout, off this year’s Great Mistakes and staple, Snake Oil, were both dedicated to the bands they were playing with. The band was workman-like, but some songs felt a little too similar to the rest. They closed well though with the excellent Tanks Of Dust.

Pennsylvania’s Title Fight pulled all the punters back in. Hyperview’s opener, Murder Your Memory, was first, then the band launched straight into Shed. This classic transition had the crowd going mental. Chlorine followed, highlighting the interesting dynamic between the bleak, spaced-out newer material often sung by Jamie Rhoden, and the ripping older tracks sung mainly by Ned Russin.

The first third was unrelenting, tearing through songs with little space between, showing the band to not only be passionate about their work, but real professionals in their craft. Older songs like 27 were definitely better known by the crowd, but fans dug anything in the set. 

Rose Of Sharon had an extended introduction, with Russin announcing it as a song about leaving a mark. It suited the night. Ending with Head In The Ceiling Fan and then Secret Society, the band certainly left its mark on their adoring fans. It was a great show — worth the price, and worth getting a shirt too.