They are back for another show, my all-time favourite Perth band ‘Turnstyle’ are dusting off the Casios and performing a special one-off reunion show at Amplifier on Saturday March 6th.

To me Turnstyle were the band I connected with growing up in Perth. I grew up as a teenager in a very lucky time in the history of Perth music, it was the explosion of the Perth Power Pop scene. Bands like Jebediah, Eskimo Joe, Red Jezebel, Effigy, Beaverloop, Love Camp 7, The Flanders, Fourth Floor Collapse, Nathan Guant, Turnstyle and so many more were showing the rest of the country and the world the sounds from this sleepy little town.

Weekends would be spent seeing cheap (even sometimes free) gigs at 78 Records, City Farm, Amplifier Bar, UWA Refractory, The Ozone Bar and at so many other venues that are no longer available to the youth of Perth. I could catch the train into the city, visit House of Wax before heading to Dada’s for get the latest EP from one of the aforementioned bands and then for less than $5 head off to a gig.  It was simple, fun and safe.

With this huge music smorgasbord to choose from my ears were drawn to the beepy sounds of Turnstyle. The lo-fi beats and fun geek rock vibe brought a smile to my face each time I saw them play. I honestly can’t remember how many times I saw the guys live or how many times I did “the bus dance” at shows or in my bedroom.

As a young fan I was so excited when Adem K, PJ and Dean received national attention with the release of the ‘hit’ song ‘Spray Water on the Stereo‘ off Turnstyle Country that reached into the top 20 on the ARIA charts. Following this success the band released a few more albums before calling it a day back in 2002.

The story of the final shows in 2002.

The final gig was a full day for me with two Turnstyle gigs (supported by Sekiden) and a Tool concert. So even though I was over 18 at the time I caught the all ages gig. That was an experience to day the least. I had forgotten young kids sat down at gigs to watch the band, it was like it was being at a school assembly. After the gig finished, I picked up my copy of the Rambo EP that was released as a ‘farewell’ for fans and then headed to do some shopping at Damn Toys (RIP) to buy some NES games and the Perth CD Library (RIP). I miss those shops as much as I miss this band.

So quickly between the all ages Turnstyle gig I caught that big international metal band, Tool at the Perth Entertainment Centre (my final show at that venue before it was shut down). Tool was amazing but lets just say the crowd was a vast comparison to that at Turnstyle.

So after Tool, I ran (literally) from Perth Entertainment Centre to Amplifier to make it into the venue just as the band were starting. Now this crowd was happy, smiling, dancing (not sitting) and everybody had beers in hand ready for a fun night. This was the way to say farewell to the band I loved, 400+ people singing along to every word. It was a simple, fun night that 8 years later I still hold up as one of my favourite shows.

Turnstyle – Cologne (Live) @ Amplifier Bar 2002

Now it is 2010 and the band is back, granted they have done two smaller Turnstyle-lite (not the full line up) shows since 2002, but out of bad luck on both occasions I have been in Melbourne. Once in 2005 and the other was in June of last year. Not this time!

So if you’re heading the show in March, I look forward to joining in the fun. It should be a great night, not only are we going to see this great Perth band they will also be supported by Seja Vogel (from Sekiden/Regurgitator), Boys!Boys!Boys! and Burgers of Beef. So drop the $15 and have a great night of fun.

Buy tickets now for $15 at Moshtix

Browse Timeline

• « Three lists for 2009
• » Twenty Thousand Smashing Pumpkins Songs

Comments ( 2 )

Add a Comment