Midnight Juggernauts + Muscles
Prince Of Wales, Melbourne

Woooh! Ahhhh! Yep, everyone knows this one. In fact, everyone seems pretty familiar with all of Muscles’ big tunes. Which isn’t altogether surprising – Triple J support aside – because Muscles is all about blatant self-promotion. Between tracks he creates a frisson of demand by announcing he’ll be selling CDs and T-shirts after the set – but ONLY for 20 minutes! Then there’s lyrics like, “Muscles, I love you, I want to have your babies”. Alright already, dude! But this is what gives Muscles an edge – he really wants it. Really badly. Also, two days later, I find myself humming his tunes as well. Argh! Possibly, there is no escape from Muscles…

Midnight Juggernauts have had another massive boost since their Triple J/One Night Stand with Silverchair leg-up, indeed, this show was sold out long ago. But when ‘Road To Recovery’ sounds like early Daft Punk, what’s not to like? Mostly I just love the disco shimmer, but with a good drummer now onboard (former Valentino Daniel Stricker) they are a smashing live band. It’s like they jumped a level. Presumably I am not alone in awaiting their forthcoming debut album in white-hot anticipation. Reportedly they are self-releasing on their Siberia label. If true, gosh, it makes you feel like independence is almost thriving! Good times.

by Lauren Zoric