THE DESCENDANTS
The Roundhouse, Sydney -11.06.26
“So, we’re going to play the whole Everything Sucks album – hope that’s ok?”
Descendents + Pinch Points + The Lizards
Words: Hannah Lewis-Dalby
It’s been 30 years since this seminal album was released (that’s ’96, y’all!) and the short, urgently fast songs sound as good today as they ever have – as do the band. Playing a set of 36 songs in a circa 100 minutes of playing time is no joke! Whether it’s down to a Taylor Swift style treadmill fitness regime or Milo has put his PhD to good use and discovered a new organic fitness elixir, it’s impressive. The elixir idea would explain that distinctive water bottle he wore on stage, secured crossbody with a Chewbacca style studded strap…
It always enhances the gig experience when you attend with an uber fan. Whether it’s the anticipation of the event, the excitement on the day, or the chatter in the queue deciding which tour tee to buy, it’s energising. Now imagine what it feels like with 1500 uber fans – buzzing! That’s 1500 people who know all the words to all the songs, even the unexpected ones “ We have a request! That’s a deep cut but we can give it a go!”. That’s right, the band even honoured request signs.
Pure joy core
A quick scan around UNSW’s Roundhouse showed the calibre of company this band is regarded within. All the greats were represented, names emblazoned across tees, Black Flag, Bad Brains, Operation Ivy, NOFX… and while they may form part of the same genre, the Descendents are the romantic nerds of this class and boy do their fans love them for this. Call it a ‘joy core’ style of punk if you will.
In the mosh pit, dancing up a sweat and passing crowd surfers overhead were as many OG fans as young newbs. Ok, ‘passing crowd surfers’ may be an understatement; at times it looked more like they were being flung towards the stage! Each received safely over the rail by security, some upside down, back to front, inside out but always with a smile.
Reciprocated love
The crowd’s love was reciprocated with heartfelt acknowledgement from the indestructible Bill Stevenson surveying them from his hallowed drum kit, and Milo Ackerman stepping down off stage giving the crowd a chance to sing into the mic with him.
As for highlights, there was probably 36 of them but that might be a cop out! The super-fast hardcore punk numbers “Coffee Mug” and “I Like Food” punctuated the set alongside classics like “I’m the One”, “Silly Girl” and “Suburban Home”. The fan request for “One More Day” was met with cheers and delivered with feeling, Stevenson dedicating it to his father. Highlights wise, it may be remiss not to mention that the classic Milo cartoon was reimagined into kangaroo form for this leg of the tour. While they may not be the first band to make an Australasian version of a tour shirt, this was one of the cutest.
When you get the call..
Descendents were supported by the Pinch Points from Melbourne and The Lizards from South Australia. Both bands flying the flag for home grown talent, delivering distinctive and original sets much to the delight of the forming crowd. If you like your post-punk with a side of clean ‘50s riffs, Dick Valentine-esque vocals and matching t-shirts, check out the Pinch Points. Coaxed out of hiatus for the opportunity to open for the Descendents, the band demonstrated when the call comes, you get going! The Lizards played a fast set of fun, including everyone’s favourite punk cover “Sonic Reducer” by the Dead Boys.
There are three more chances to catch the Descendents play on this side of the world. Catch them if you can; 13 June at The Balcony on the Gold Coast, 16 June at Meow Nul in Wellington, NZ and 17 June at Powerstation in Auckland, NZ.
