:: Machine Gun Fellatio / The Spazzys / Butterfingers at the Prince Bandroom, St.Kilda - November 2004

By: Adrian Ringin

This night at the Prince was definitely one to remember. The Spazzys opened proceedings with their Ramones-esq antics as the crowd gradually grew in number and enthusiasm. A Spazzy was celebrating her birthday, and after was presented with a cake by the venue. The crowd launched into ‘happy birthday’ – a really nice moment. Pausing the show, the band bit chunks out of the cake before playing on. Somehow it seemed right, seemed to be the way a rock group should eat their birthday cake - on stage, no hands, in the middle of a show - and they somehow avoided covering themselves in it.

Butterfingers followed the birthday girls, with an unremarkable performance, sometimes including a microphone/megaphone combination apparently to be more extreme. The set was by the numbers, although the catchy ‘I Love Work’ seemed to get a good audience response. Hearing them cover Vanilla Ice was a bit of a surprise, but it wasn’t nearly as pleasant a surprise as the spontaneous ‘happy birthday’ sung by the crowd to the Spazzys earlier on.

The night really got into high gear after Butterfingers wrapped up. Even before the stars of the night hit the stage, two video projectors started to set the scene. For about half an hour they showed a very strange compilation tape spliced together from bondage films, Russ Meyer flicks, asian porn movies, Benny Hill clips, hentai and the odd bit of roller coaster footage, amongst other things.

The crowd’s anticipation was high, having been properly primed by the skilful use of the world porn clip show. Machine Gun Fellatio took the stage to cheers and excitement, and it only got better from here on in. They worked through the expected hits from their first two albums, “Unsent Letter”, “The Girl of My Dreams is Giving Me Nightmares”, “Pussytown”, and so on, as well as the majority of the tracks from the new album, MGF on Ice. Aside from a few technical hitches, they came off very well.

MGF seem to model themselves on an old-time burlesque show - although the music is important, it is only one factor. There was a real sense of occasion with their set from beginning to end - even before they took the stage their presence was announced and interest piqued by the film and their stage props. This was not just some people on stage playing music - it was a true performance. The way the band shares its vocal duties keeps things interesting, and the frequent costume changes, use of the video projectors during the show, humorous commentary from Pinky. The bawdy cavorting and firebreathing strippers don’t hurt either. It all adds up to a stage presence that is really something.

Words cannot describe the show adequately, but it is definitely worth seeing. Their music is just somewhat catchy alternate pop, but the show they put on elevates it to the next level, and is really something to behold. Those offended by occasional coarse language and the odd naked summersault should steer clear, but everyone else should get down and check them out next time they are playing - experiencing the MGF stage show is a great experience.

Pictured:
1. Machine Gun Fellatio
2. The Spazzys