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Goldfinger / Valencia / Riverboat Gamblers

live in Sydney (2009)
Side One Dummy Records

Reviewer Rating:

Contributed by: eazyd2
(others by this writer | submit your own)

Published on February 27th 2009

Doors opened at 7 p.m. We got there at 7:40, super early I thought meaning we’d be able to get to see the first act which was Mikey from MxPx solo. BUT, apparently he’d just finished so god knows what time he came on. Pretty pissed off about that. Went to get a drink but saw the bar closed -- drinks served and to be consumed outside only because it was an all-ages shows. Seriously -- what business do under-18s have at a Goldfinger gig?

I’d never heard Riverboat Gamblers but had heard a lot about them. They were good, although I had to watch the first half of their set from the outside so I could quench my thirst. Everything about their singer reminded of the dude from the Hives from his get-up, hair, mic-swingin and Mick Jagger strut. But that is definitely a good thing as he was super entertaining. They rocked out to an almost empty room but those who were inside (mostly the little kids) seemed pretty impressed.

After getting a bit of a high off Riverboat Gamblers I was brought back down by Valencia. Boring, boring pop-punk. The singer's voice really started to grate on me after about one song. The guitarist had massive biceps but that wasn’t enough to keep me inside so we went out for a beer and a dart.

Goldfinger killed. They came out hard 'n fast and by the third song John was in the crowd singing “Miles Away.” I don’t have their latest album, but the one song off it I remember them playing, “Get Up” was sweet. Great song to dance to. As was “That song from Tony Hawk” as my mate called it. The only problem was the floorboards were slippery as hell, so every attempted circle pit ended with a bunch or morons, me included, slipping over each other. Most of those morons, me included, then got up on stage to sing along to “Mable,” their best song as voted by me.

Darrin came to the front to let some poor kid eat a Twinkie from his ass, and then drink a Heineken from the kid's shoe. This part of the show might be played out in some people's minds, but I still think it’s cool. They played through all their hits, a few new songs, before closing with “99 Red Balloons” and then goosestepped off in unison to some metal song.

The encore was some song I can’t remember before a cover of “White Christmas.” That cover was kind of lame but they soon launched into a cover of “Knowledge” which was super sick, and everyone ran around and fell over some more. One thing I want to know, though, is why bands only ever cover “Knowledge” when covering OpIvy?? Beats me. Then the show was over. They didn’t play “Here in Your Bedroom” for some reason, but I wasn’t complaining because it was a sick show. Was great to see Charlie back again. I think that guy has prob got about 0% body fat., but some sick tattoos. Hope they come back again soon and they can bring Riverboat Gamblers with them, as long as they leave Valencia in New Zealand.

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LeightonESmith (March 3, 2009)

I saw 28 bands at Soundwave Brisbane - here's nut shell reviews:

local mainstage -? sounded gay no idea who they were

riverboat gamblers - tech problems but fun punk rock

alesana - girly screamo - ok i guess

amity affliction - spewing didn't know they were playing earlier - cool aussie band

saves the day - girly emo crap

all that remains - shredding metal sound quality not that good

finch - girly emo crap - liked em in '03 not now though

unearth - shredtastic brutal moshing breakdowns brilliant

silverstein - were ok, played some of my favs, more focused on eating though

evergreen terrace - rousing sing/scream along- big breakdowns sound not the best

underoath - girly metalcore average

anberlin - girly emoish but still likeable tunes - liked these guys for ages but were pretty far back for em (not good sound)

red jumpsuit apparatus - gay shitty music

minus the bear - amazing ambient imagery

dillenger escape plan - crazy crazy abrasive carnage onstage. guitar flew into crowd, breaking and jumping off stuff

bloodhound gang - sounded so soft volumewise but hilarious banter/schnangans and i sang/rapped every word

billy talent - catchy canadian punk rock, fun, ok

lacuna coil - slow evernesence sounding chick metal - pretty boring and average

horse the band- crazy thrashy hardcore mixed with synths - better than expected

devildriver - great to see em, not enough crushing volume, hugely disappointing consequently - good songs though

from first to last - ok, just caught tail end of set

alice in chains - good stuff - seemed so slow! played no excuses, if, down in a hole and closed with rooster

nine inch nails - started with 2 new ones - pretty simplistic production - was expecting more - seemed ok though

inflames - crushing shredding riffage - pumelling volume (where was that devildriver?) they were good

alkaline trio - seemed a bit tame/thin/ not much of a crowd - played some favs though

face to face - after some food, the fastest skatepunk of the day, all old stuff = classic, was so tough to leave them early

lamb of god - shoulda played way earlier, they looked and sounded metal as, would have been good to see more

bayside - great to see them, catchy, not much of a crowd but understandably, ryan heard good stuff late in the set after i went back to see Nine Inch nails close with Wish and Hurt.

telegraphrocks (March 1, 2009)

Say what you will about Goldfinger, but they are always a blast to see live. I've never had more fun at a show.

I've seen Goldfinger a lot between 1996 and 2000, and though I enjoyed their sets, there shows were far from the "most fun". Even back then, I would keep thinking "why do they love themselves so much?".
Back then, I'd say the "most fun" shows would go to: Blue Meanies, Bigwig, Apocalypse Hoboken, Sick Of It All, Suicide Machines...

Anyway, I saw Goldfinger last summer in Milwaukee for Summerfest, which was the first time I've seen them in 8 years. They were better then Suburban Legends, no fucking doubt about that, but I kind of felt like a pedophile at the show... like, I had this disgusting feeling watching them... I just shouldn't have been doing it.

jacknife737 (March 1, 2009)

Say what you will about Goldfinger, but they are always a blast to see live. I've never had more fun at a show.

punk_rawk_show (March 1, 2009)

Heard a few bands play sound system by op ivy aswell

at_the_drive_in_21 (March 1, 2009)

Oh, and 99 Red Balloons closed the set before the encore, as per their setlist.

at_the_drive_in_21 (March 1, 2009)

The setlist was as follows:

I'm Down
Spokesman
Counting the Days
Get Up
Pick a Fight
San Simeon
Open Your Eyes
Mable
My Girlfriend's Shower Sucks
Miles Away
Superman
One More Time
Fuck Ted Nugent

This was taken from the setlist that my girlfriend swiped. She also got one of Darrin's drumsticks and one of Charlie's picks. Not a bad haul, really.

I don't think the songs were played in that exact order though. They threw 'SMP' and the aforementioned 'Knowledge' cover in there as well. Also of note was that they had a tenor saxophonist around with them this time, though he was buried deeply in the mix.

Good show, as most GF shows are. Also, you didn't miss much with Mike Herrera, just a bit of nostalgia.

punk_rawk_show (February 28, 2009)

saw Goldfinger two days after in Adelaide at Soundwave Festival (yesterday)

Less Than Jake = Amazing
Goldfinger -= Amazing
Mike Herrera = Average
Alkaline Trio = Great
New Found Glory = Great
Face to Face = Amazing
Houston Calls = Great
Hellogoodbye = Shit
Red Jumpsuit = Shit
Anberlin = Average

what a day

BarleyPat (February 28, 2009)

Mable as their best song? You have to be fucking kidding me.

torgo (February 28, 2009)

No setlist ÷ Goldfinger = Somehow worse than my Lily Allen review

joeg (February 28, 2009)

like dude, totally sick show review.

ffwoodycock (February 28, 2009)

finally, a serious review amidst all of this Lilly Allen bullshit.

brown (February 28, 2009)

That last line was priceless.

damo (February 28, 2009)

this review officially proves that eazyd2 is a chimp and that Aussies shunt be allowed punk gigs (not being able to take beer to the floor as it was all ages???!!! lol)

goldfinger? needs more talent

mattramone (February 28, 2009)

Goldfinger sucks

telegraphrocks (February 28, 2009)

No setlist = BOMB!