Uncle Acid and The Deadbeats unleash their stoner rock upon Sydney, and Patrick Muller was there to see it all.
The Oxford Art Factory was packed, with a swarm of black t-shirts, long hair and a sufficient splattering of scruffy beards.Support act Grinding Eyes took to the stage with an LSD-inspired thermal-type visual background, and laid down some signature sweeping phaser-effected guitar and muddy riffage.
Despite some ear-piercing ringing harmonics and a few technical issues, the band remained tight. They created a floating sonic space backed by a fairly solid rhythm section. By the end of their set, you would’ve thought that everyone would be all psychedelic riffed out, but that’s when Uncle Acid and The Deadbeats took the stage and proved that wrong.
As the first notes of Waiting for Blood rang out, a steady wave of head nods went through the place. Launching straight into Mind Crawler, the band made sure the atmosphere was thick with with sweaty dedication and by the time they were in full flight, the dance floor was absolutely no place for claustrophobics.
They followed up with Poison Apple and Death’s Door, bursting through to full on windmill territory. Though they’re a niche market, it’s undeniable that they are good at what they do.
Between every tune the crowd’s applause was as loud as the raucous four piece on stage. Their chromatic riffing and harmonised leads ruled supreme, with the crowd eating out of the palm of their hand. By the end, the throbbing mass was cheering for more. As far as Sabbath-inspired stoner rock goes, these guys do not disappoint.
