Nestled in the back room of the La Campana Restaurant in Sydney is the latest addition to the Sydney live scene: the GoodGod Small Club – combining the charm of the Spanish restaurant, with the intimate nature of a “back room” venue. It’s fantastic to see locations like this popping up around Sydney, and we couldn’t have been more excited about the prospect, as we walked through the empty restaurant to celebrate the launch of Bridezilla’s debut album, The First Dance (Reviewed in November HERE).
Helping Bridezilla celebrate was former Mercy Arms member (although such a name in his own right, it almost feels criminal to bother mentioning this) Kirin J Callinan – a bonafide favourite here at the AU review. He ripped through a spellbinding set which left some confused, some bewildered, some enthralled, some horrified – but all of us hungry for more.
He is able to do this thanks to ending the set on the incredible “Love/Delay” – featuring one of the best riffs and most powerful beats I’ve heard in many years (it will be no surprise, therefore, when the song appears in my “best of 2009” list later this month!). No matter what you thought of the set that preceded this track (we loved it, mind you), there is no mistaking Kirin’s talent once he wipes the floor with this closing number.
Bridezilla, surprisingly looking a little bit nervous, stepped onto the stage in front of their hometown crowd – and wasted no time in launching into their set, which covered plenty of tracks off of their new LP, as well as a couple of old gems. The nerves, undoubtedly generated from the fact this was a mostly “invite only” crowd of friends, family and media, faded away quickly.
They went on to play up to the brilliant standard they have set for themselves in the live setting – sounding just as fantastic as always. They’re still not the most “interactive” band in the world, but their music doesn’t require it – they play, you listen, you like!
Love ’em or hate ’em, Bridezilla are one of Sydney’s premiere acts, and their talent isn’t going anywhere soon – well so we hope, anyway. Congratulations to the band on a successful debut launch!
