Devilskin celebrate ten years since their debut chart-topping We Rise album, firing all in their formidable Heavy Rock to Metal arsenal.
They came together in Hamilton 2010, when bass player Paul Martin discovered a powerhouse female singer Jennie Skulander, who was originally from Rotorua but moved to Waikato when her original band Slipping Tongues stopped wagging.
Some persistence was needed, but eventually they recruited Tony Nail Vincent, a hard rocking guitarist for a respectably good local band Chuganaut.
Original drummer Rob McWhannell came off his motorbike, which led to the bass players son Nic Martin taking the seat, which he never relinquished.
They have had great success with three number one albums since, and a Live at The Powerstation one, the same year as their debut which they are celebrating.
This is the last date of 12 shows. They started in Invercargill and the furthest north was Whangaparaoa. Makes sense.
Never having seen them live I’m sure they are always this ferocious.
There would have been some extra frisson, as they were out to avenge the savaging they got at the hands of the Auckland Blues playing the Waikato Chiefs in the Super Rugby final last weekend.
This revenge was a dish best consumed scalding hot. The Powerstation probably stands in for their home ground.
They play almost everything from We Rise, top to tail.
Elvis Presley Circle Pit starts with meshed heavy guns staccato riffs, and the singer unleashes some throaty roars, the first of the night.
A chainsaw is brought on stage. I’m pretty sure it’s not running. The visual point is made. Skulander could try wearing a leather facemask (a nice role reversal).
Segues immediately into Vessel. They extend on the vamp nicely.
You need light and dark contrasts to leaven the relentless momentum of Metal Rock.
Start a Revolution contains that dichotomy. Brief moments of melodic respite, to build up a head of steam which eventually shoots its load.
Skulander uses a smoke gun a few times.
Never See the Light does address suicide head-on, with some sympathy and some taste. Guitar pyrotechnics add molten anger, and a drum solo comes across as beautiful in this context.
Skulander may seem a little overpowered tonight initially. There is a huge battering engine behind her. She has been shredding her vocals for eleven straight shows, including last night in the far north of the Whangaparaoa.
Undoubtedly one of the best powerhouse singers in New Zealand. She has a pure tone which can lift easily. She does not screech, and she does have an effective feminine roar.
She is a malevolent banshee, rather than a hysterical possessed one like Diamanda Gelais. She can approach the intensity of Grace Slick, maybe the first genuine Rock Chick, who played with Great Society to Jefferson Airplane to Jefferson Starship to Starship.
As she does on Fade, with its slower tempo, and Surrender. This one qualifies as a Rock ballad, even with the heavy artillery drum bursts.
Capped by a virtuoso guitar workout. Fast runs and arpeggios at the bottom of the guitar neck.
Their brand-new EP Surfacing has their cover of Heart’s Barracuda. A stand-out tonight even amongst the stellar original material. The signature gallop rhythm, and Skulander has a slightly deeper vocal tone than Ann Wilson.
Smiled like the sun/ Kisses for everyone.
Tadpole were persuaded to reform for this anniversary tour. Highly regarded alternative Rockers to Post-Punk and anything else they could throw in, including a DJ scratching on the Wheels of Steel, from Old Skool Rap and Hip-Hop.
They have drafted in relative youngster Emma Dilemma Thompson to stand in for the original singer and songwriter Renee Brennan.
Tadpole lasted twelve years from 1994 to 2006. Eighteen years later they are back. The band at the time went through almost as many members as the Fall. The constants were Brennan and drummer Dean Lawton.
The current reincarnated band are Lawton and Dilemma, with Chris Yong guitar, Shannon Brown bass, and Kevin May DJ Kritikl on the turntables.
They are touring with the blessing of Renee Brennan.
Hard focussed Rock from the first three songs.
Set To Fade is sharp lasering attacking music with turntable sweeps and swishes.
The guitars screech with metal cutting metal dissonance on Backdoor. Emma explains that it is a metaphor for the difficulty of breaking into the business, as well as the common sexual reference.
Fast Stuff verges on brilliant Punk throw-away good times. Lyrics Don’t stop till you get enough must be a Michael Jackson reference.
And in spite of all the danger/ I’m still here.
This band was smart and clued up in it’s time. I’m picking this refers to the one and only Quarrymen’s single, from the late Fifties. A minor Liverpudlian Skiffle group which contained John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison.
That’s my story anyway, and I’m sticking to it. There is a link from Doo-Wop to Skiffle to Rock’n’roll to Punk which deserves a book.
You Know It is a band favourite and they perform a Pop Punk rager with gusto. Dilemma struts and prances on stage like a Jagger high on oestrogen.
Or do I mean Tina Turner in the Sixties?
They cover a very early one in Blind. New Wave and arty. They had a diverse repertoire.
Finish with Alright. It jumps about in a Ska fashion as the Rock guitars plough through. A Two-Tone styled Power Pop dance classic.
Skinny Hobos I have seen once before, when they were the opening act of the Aaron Tokona Tribute Show at the Whammy Bar in 2021.
An electric guitar and drum duo consisting of Alex Elvis Ferrier guitar, and Sam Texas Holdom drums.
Back then they reminded me of Husker Du with their relentless drone riffing and assault force drumming. They played mostly tracks from Cairo Knife Fight. Maybe that’s why.
Tonight, they start as a three-piece power trio with guest Ms Thompson on bass. Just for once song.
Then it’s fast authoritative drumming allowing the guitarist the space and momentum to burst out with fast runs. Tempered by slower melodic passages.
Last song Jacked Like the Ripper does remind me of the early Jimi Hendrix Experience.
Devilskin are back for an encore, and they bring up the Skinny Hobos and Tadpole to celebrate the end of the tour and generally whoop it up.
Far too many on stage, with extended crew as well.
They play Unborn, also off the new EP. Vincent brings out a twin-neck 6 and 12 string. Melodic folk styled singing alternating with explosive detonations.
Naturally they end the night with the anthemic We Rise. The smoke gun, throaty roars and Rock as an assault force complete with strafing strobe lights.
Devilskin bring the We Rise tour to a triumphant close.
Rev. Orange Peel
Photos by Den
Devilskin
Tadpole
Skinny Hobos