Philadelphia Grand Jury

Spirits were running high in the Corner bandroom as the sold out crowd all pushed to the front of the stage, eagerly awaiting the return of PhiladelphiaGrand Jury to the Australian live circuit. Supporting the boys on their Save Our Town tour were Triple J Unearthed High winners Howl.

For a bunch of young punks from Ballarat, the six piece put on an impressive set that was forty minutes of intense, frenzied rioting that culminated in an onstage orgy with the band members pilling on top of each other before systematically attacking and destroying the drum kit. Vocalist Lachlan Morrish has one of those killer voices which sounds amazing whether he’s singing, shouting or screaming the house down. Their music brings to mind a heavier version of Yves Klein Blue and Children Collide, but with better arrangements, skill full musicianship and a heady dose of youthful exuberance, Howl are a cut above their contemporaries and their live show is one of those experiences that needs to be seen to be believed.

Philadelphia Grand Jury said a fond farewell to Australia earlier this year, with the band relocating to London, losing drummer Calvin Welch along the way, and returning to our sunny shores to showcase their new single along with new recruit Susie Dreamboat of I Heart Hiroshima fame. Thankfully, their experiences abroad has taught them a few new tricks and gone is the tired voice over that featured in all of their previous live shows. The band opened with their cover of Jay Z’s 99 Problems with Berkfinger on drums and Susie donning the vocal duties from off stage to thunderous applause. The Philly Jays still have it live, and launched straight into the fan favourite I Don’t Want To Party (Party), that saw Berkfinger fellating the mic and Bad Genius appearing as mental as ever with his crazy, vacant stares and debauched onstage moves.

The trio tore through a ripper set, playing all of the old favourites from Hope Is For Hopers including When Your Boyfriend Comes Back To Town, Growing Up Alone, Save Our Town, The New Neil Young, I’m Gonna Kill You and a brand new song about working in the postal service that got the crowd so excited a bunch of boys in the pit felt the need to remove their shirts and crowd surf. The night ended with the double whammy of Going To The Casino and The Good News, with the band ceremoniously giving their love and gratitude to the fans before disappearing from view.

The Philly Jays have returned triumphant with a few new tunes and a new live aesthetic that is endlessly entertaining and fun. Fingers crossed they’ll be gracing us with a new album and another headlining trip down under soon.

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