Words – Josh
Photos – @djsedick
It’s not everyday you get to see a band that’s been kicking since the early ’80s, but I had a last-minute offer to wrap up a chaotic work week by seeing Suicidal Tendencies, so I had to take it. Returning to Australia after only two years. This time as part of the M72 World Tour alongside Metallica and Evanescence, Suicidal Tendencies have embarked on their own little side quest, headlining The Forum in Melbourne, Victoria, with Victoria’s very own Big Noter as support.
Big Noter kicked the night off, with the crowd’s response to the very first riff making it clear why they’ve been turning heads in the Australian music scene since their inception in April this year. With Indigenous Aussie hip-hop legend Briggs fronting the band, lending his well-known flow, delivered with more aggression. A commanding presence backed by a wall of sound built by riffs!
Leading through a set filled with unreleased songs, there was no hesitation from the crowd to commit to putting all of their energy in so early in the night. As people were still flowing into the back, closer to the front chaos was already unfolding. All while Big Noter hyped them up and effortlessly guided them through.
As the time came for Suicidal Tendencies, the atmosphere flipped from tense anticipation to total chaos. Opening on their 1990 classic “You Can’t Bring Me Down,” a wave of energy instantly spread across the stage, which pretty quickly took the rest of the room. Every member not seated now moving with an energy you’d be surprised to see from any band, let alone a band that’s been around for more than 40 years. Every word, note and hit delivered with precision in the most raw and chaotic way possible.
Part-way through their set, frontman Mike Muir took a moment to catch his breath and share a story about his brother legendary skater Jim Muir, a perfect lead-in to “Possessed to Skate.” The mention alone sent the crowd wild before the first note even hit. As the song kicked off, there were bodies flying & colliding, crowd surfers sailing overhead, and Muir feeding off every ounce of their energy.
They kept the momentum rolling with ‘Cyco Vision’, a track that summed up the night perfectly, fast, energetic and full of aggression. The chants echoing through The Forum, with fans shouting every word back. Muir stalked the stage with intensity, while the rest of the band locked in tight & pushing each song right to the edge.
To close the night, Suicidal Tendencies unleashed ‘Institutionalized’, their defining track and a song that still feels as sharp and relevant today as it did in 1983. The crowd’s energy peaked one last time, everyone screaming the lyrics together before the band disappeared backstage, leaving behind a floor full of drenched, exhausted fans.
Two generations of heavy music collided tonight. Big Noter showed that Australia’s next wave of hardcore is in very capable hands, while Suicidal Tendencies reminded everyone exactly why they’re legends.
Huge thanks to Suicidal Tendencies, Big Noter, The Forum and Maric Media for having us!
