Gig Review: Bleeders @ The Kings Arms, Auckland – 25/11/2016

There is a buzz around tonight’s gig. An energy that I can feel when I walk into the Kings Arms. The last time I saw the Bleeders was around 2004 and I remember they were one of the few bands that would travel down to Tauranga and be able to attract a great crowd. 

First up it’s Blue Ruin. They catch the energy in the room and amplify it 100%. The music is fast and loud, much heavier/punkier than when I last saw them. The onstage banter is also flying around as fast as Anna’s drumbeats and they leave the stage and the crowd feeling wired and wanting more.

Next up it’s Fireshark. Where Blue Ruin took the energy and bounced it off the walls these guys are laser focused. The set is intense and fast and the mosh pit gets underway. This is punk influenced rock as it is supposed to be played. No messing just get on with it and pummel the crowd into submission. Great songs, great band enough said.

After a quick breath of air in the KA beer garden the screech of a guitar indicates the Bleeders have taken the stage. I haven’t seen this many people in the Kings Arms for a local band in a long time. The fact it is for a Bleeders gig makes it even more satisfying. It has been 7 years since they split and lets hope this flurry of gigs means they are going to be writing some new material.

Angelo is a ball of energy and the band have lost none of the intensity that makes their gigs so special. There is a genuine connection with the crowd and stage diving ensues almost from the opening riffs. I get goosebumps as the band launch into All That Glitters and I am taken back to a time where gigs always seemed to be loud, sweaty and packed. There are some technical issues but that isn’t going to phase the Bleeders tonight. This is a celebration, song after song delivered as if it was the first time they had played them. After one encore it is all over too soon and the circle pit stops spinning. We head out into the night having seen one of NZ’s best bands fill NZ’s best venue. Let’s hope both the Bleeders and The Kings Arms are here to stay.