REVIEWS & FEATURES

Alkaline Trio & Taking Back Sunday, Melbourne, March 2006

Two weeks in a row I flew from Sydney to Melbourne to see two great live bands who I've enjoyed for the last few years. First, on 7th March, Alkaline Trio did a show at the Melbourne Hi-Fi Bar for the over 18s crowd, followed by an earlier afternoon show the next day for all the young ones under 18. It was a great opportunity to see the Chicago band (singer Matt has since moved to LA) in such a small venue, as they are used to playing to larger 5,000 capacity venues - I'd seen them at in the UK. Matt Skiba, as smart and as sinister as ever, wowed the black-clad crowd of Aussie goth punks with tracks from their 2001 breakthrough album From Here to Infirmary and Good Mourning from 2003, as well as the current release Crimson. Many of the same eyeliner smeared faces were spotted exactly a week later at the Taking Back Sunday shows, also at the Hi-Fi Bar. New York state boys Taking Back Sunday seemed to enjoy their first Australian tour and frontman, Adam Lazzara, did his usual energetic routine, wrapping the mic around himself and prancing around the small stage space during several catchy tunes from 2002 album Tell All Your Friends, Where You Want To Be from 2004 and new release Louder Now. The next day, after an Under 18s show, the guys did a last minute signing session for fans at a skatewear shop next to the venue.

Sophie with Matt and Rob from Lakaline Trio after Melbourne gig	Adam with Simone (after 2nd TBS show in Melbourne)	Adam with a fan	Sophie with Adam Lazzara of Taking Back Sunday (he'd just walked off stage!)	Fans pushed their way into this shop to get posters signed by Taking Back Sunday