Live Review: X, Axe Girl, The Floors

Fresh from their successful French sojourn, the evening was kicked off by local three piece The Floors and, as always, they delivered a killer set. With guitarist/vocalist Luke Dux weaving his blues soaked, distortion laden riffs and howling vocals through the driving rhythms provided by brother Ryan on bass and the rock solid drumming of Ash Doodkorte, The Floors once again showed why they are widely regarded as one of the best live bands in Perth.

Now a five-piece with the addition of Elle Walsh on keys and guitar, Axe Girl were up next and got the audience well and truly pumped with their own blend of infectious, '90s inspired punk pop. With charismatic vocalist Addison Axe delivering a powerful performance, the band tore through a set which included some unreleased tracks. Driven along by Vanessa Thornton on bass, their songs are instantly memorable with highlights of the night being 1981 and Deja Vu.

Some forty years after originally forming in Sydney, the current incarnation of seminal punk band X hit the stage of the Four5Nine bar at The Rosemount Hotel in support of their new Best Of and rarities album, X-Citation. Frontman Steve Lucas had wanted an intimate venue where the band were up close with the punters and that's exactly what he got with the band appearing to be right at home playing in the smaller confines of the Four5Nine as opposed to the much larger main room.

Opening up with Mother, which Lucas dedicated to the recently departed Tony Cohen, X delivered an impressive, raw performance that was lapped up by the appreciative audience. Joined by the impressive Kim Volkman on bass and Doug Falconer from Hunters & Collectors on drums, Lucas, who is sadly the only remaining original member, was in fine form as the band powered through a set that included classics such as the cowbell-laden Degenerate Boy, Infamy, TV Glue, El Salvador and Dream Baby.

Long regarded as an influential and revolutionary outfit, tonight X showed that, despite the years travelled, they've lost none of their edge and energy. Sure, they may have been a little loose at times but hey, it's rock 'n' roll. That's how it's meant to be. That's how it should be and they were damn great.