Sick Puppies written by Lynn
SHOWS:  
May 11, Remington's Downtown, Springfield, MO
May 15, The Recher Theater, Towson, MD
May 16, The Fillmore at Irving Plaza, New York City


I really like Australian rock. I have been a fan of
some Australian bands for quite some time, and
generally I find that most of what I am introduced to
from down under, I usually enjoy. Of course there are
some that I like more than others, but time and time
again I am impressed by the sounds that have
originated in Australia, and have gone on to do well
in the world of rock music. As far as popular bands
that have had their start there, we have to first
consider the late 70's/early 80's, and AC/DC, probably
the most well-known and popular band that Australia

has ever laid claim to. Other names from this era,some very recognizable ones, are of course INXS and Midnight Oil. Probably the next
most infamous band of Aussies and one of my all-time favorite bands, there is Silverchair, who brought Australian rock into the
90s with their grunge style that has eventually matured into something in a class all its own. Joining them were bands like Grinspoon and
Powderfinger. Early in the new millenia we were introduced to Jet and The Vines, carrying on with that great Australian rock
sound and enthusiasm, and continuing on today there is yet another new sound on the scene. The Sick Puppies,
hailing from Sydney, and Triple-J Unearthed winners (for those of you that actually listen to Triple-J
online like I occasionally do, to get my fill of Aussie rock), have made their way onto the scene, and
to no surprise, they deliver everything that Australian rock promises - great rock music made
through great creativity and great talent.


I had a chance to see the band on tour at three venues recently as they supported Kill Hannah and Flyleaf,
along with LA's Resident Hero, and maybe it was my natural love of Aussie rock, but my enthusiasm and
enjoyment of this band grew with each show. I'd been listening to the CD for a couple weeks beforehand, and
I liked it from the first play, but this is definitely one of those bands that sounds fabulous live as well.
Lead singer and guitarist Shimon Moore, bass player Emma Anzai and drummer Mark Goodwin come together well
on stage to create a massive sound that's so loaded with presence, it's obvious Sick Puppies are a seasoned band, confident in their
personal sound and confident in knowing that it's about time the rest of us got a taste of it. Though they may be new to
touring in the US, they are no mere "supporting band," at least they won't be for long. Sick Puppies commands
an audience quite easily, and they seem perfectly natural and comfortable doing it.


Playing tunes off their Virgin Records release, Dressed Up As Life, the band's second full-length
album, there's no lack of energy or fire in Sick Puppies' performance. Greatly influenced by a common
love for Silverchair amongst them, it's easy to hear that influence as the band rocks out onstage from the
first song through to the last, playing hard-hitting tunes like Cancer, My World, The Bottom, and the more mellow All the Same, among
others. As strange as it might sound reading here, too, Sick Puppies have also covered, and play live in their set,
Destiny's Child's hit Say My Name only it's the best version of that song I've ever heard before (No offense to the original artist of
course, but I'm much more into the grunge, Sick Puppies version of their song than the original).  Moore's guitar is the perfect
combination of softer melody combined with raw aggressiveness, his vocals strong and even through the entire set. Anzai's bass playing
is nothing short of awesome as she bounces around on stage accompanying her bandmates; it's clear by the
end of the set, and Emma's impressive closing bass
solo, that she means business. Rounding the others out and keeping those tight, pounding beats with some
creative and expressive drum lines, Goodwin has everyone in the place rocking right along with him.


















Sick Puppies will be supporting Kill Hannah and Flyleaf through June 16th, so if the tour is coming
anywhere near you, grab your tickets now if you haven't already. The shows are selling out. If you
happen to miss them this time around however, check the band's myspace or web page, as they will be
starting a new tour in August in support of Breaking Benjamin and Three Day's Grace on the second leg of
their tour. Support Australian rock. Real, talented rock, like no other. You can thank me later, maybe at the
next Sick Puppies show I can manage to get myself to. And don't forget to grab one
of those "Free Hugs" T-shirts. I hear if you buy one, Shim will get you started with your first free hug.
Rated
X4
My enjoyment of this band, having seen them three times
within 7 days, has grown exponentially with each
show. At the first show, I was pleasantly surprised at just
how good they were, having expected something much more
sophomore-ish. I looked forward to seeing them again at the
second show, loving how well they got the crowd going, and
how I was singing along
with everyone else. By the third show at Irving Plaza in New
York City, which incidentally proved to be a stellar
performance by all four bands that night, I was hooked. I was
so completely sucked into Sick Puppies set, rocking out after
having taken my
pictures and left the pit, I can only conclude here by saying
this: Go see them! This is what good hard rock and grunge is
supposed to be, and with their influences, I suspect Sick
Puppies have a long, illustrious future ahead of them now that
we're all finally learning about them.