Gig Review: Head Like A Hole NYE @ Totara Street, Mt Maunganui – 31/12/2016

The night started out with Hamilton based Rebel Sound Radio who blasted through their set like well-seasoned pros, with the hard-hitting rock mixed with a dash of punk warming up a small but enthusiastic crowd.  The stand out song was Liberation with Jesse James Hanright’s well-executed guitar solo holding the audience transfixed. Keep an eye on Rebel Sound Radio, who nailed their set without a hitch.

Second on the bill was local group Edward Gains and The Human Remains whose relaxed stage presence put the growing audience at ease. Surprisingly edgy pre-grunge with touches of melancholy for good measure, their post-punk sound generally allowed people to meet and greet as they arrived.

Tauranga band All Hail The Funkillers injected a bit more frenetic punk into the festivities. Think Bikini Kill with a tinge of X-Ray Spex. Faster and more energized than on their digital album, the song Sophrysyne was lapped-up by an enthusiastic audience and despite a false start; the cover of Beastie Boys track Sabotage also went down a treat. All Hail The Funkillers was well placed to get the crowd amped for the main event.

Dedicating this gig to their good friend the late Gerald Dwyer, Head Like a Hole started their set off in fine tradition with Fish Across Face, which was bloody awesome! 

HLAH swapped nicely between new and old material with Drummer Mike Franklin-Browne nailing all the tricky fills in their extensive back catalogue. Guitarist Andrew Ashton’s excellent solos and crunching power chords on a stunning Les Paul Gold Top put the icing on the cake. If anything the difficulties HLAH have gone through over the years has made for an even more cohesive group.

Halfway through their set and instead of the usual midnight countdown, founding guitarist Nigel Regan opted for a ‘Fuck You 2016’, which was happily echoed by the buzzing crowd.

At times the PA system struggled slightly to keep up with HLAH’s unrelenting dynamics in songs like 1 Pound 2 Pound, Hootenanny and Never Mind Today. But for the most part and with a little encouragement from the band, sound quality in the Mauao Performing Arts Centre was good. My favourite Johnny Cash cover, I’m On Fire, sounded great and by the time audience pleaser Wet Rubber got underway, consummate performer Booga Beasley had partygoers eating out of the palm of his hand.

A few guys looking for trouble kept bar staff and bouncers pretty busy throughout the night, which was the only dampener to an exceptional event of fantastic live music that left my head ringing like a bell. Get along and check out Head Like A Hole at a venue near you.

4/5