Photos by Dameeka Middleton (stills on a 2013 Handycam)

Bands, beers, and a bloody good time!

The Chats has kicked off their nationwide “Bargain Bin” tour at frontman Eamon Sandwith’s native Sunny Coast, where they played at Ocean Street’s most iconic music venue, Solbar.

Sharing the stage with big names such as Guns ‘n’ Roses, The Strokes, Iggy Pop, and more recently the Foo Fighters, The Chats treated their home-grown fans to a full punk line-up with Aussie acts GHOULIES, Boondall Boys, The Unknowns, and The Prize.

I could see that US band Mean Jeans (from the Chats’ 2022, ‘Get F*ked’, tour) were also on the bill, meaning this was going to be one hell of a night.

And I was right.

Fangin’ down the Bruce Highway, with my “Chats 2024 tour” playlist blaring through my car sound system, I made my way to one of my all-time fave local live music venues.

Arriving a little later than expected, I was just able to catch a bit of GHOULIES in action, and man, did they not disappoint!

Playing their songs at a hyper-speed with a sprinkle of synthesiser magic, the audience began luring towards the band and their energy.

With the help of GHOULIES, Melbourne-based band, The Prize, were up next, continuing to build from the energy left by GHOULIES.

The Prize launched into their raw guitar riffs and pleasant harmonies by playing many tunes from their 2022 EP, “Wrong Side of Town”.

During the show, The Prize announced their collaboration with Joshua Hardy’s (The Chats’ guitarist) band The Unknowns, releasing a 7” inch vinyl featuring two songs from each band.

These vinyls were able to be purchased at the venue, and, of course, I had to get one!

After The Prize’s set, fans were met with familiar faces that soon joined the stage, being Josh Hardy and Eamon Sandwith from The Chats with their second band… The Unknowns!

Switching rolls from guitarist to frontman, Josh’s vocals established an authentic punk-rock band indicating high influences by the Ramones, Misfits and The Stooges eras.

Playing simple but passionate melodies it brought high expectations for fans prior to The Chats appearance.

As the Solbar’s 450-capacity room began to fill, The Boondall Boys (featuring Mad Macka from Cosmic Psychos on vocals) initiated punk-like anthems to agitate the crowd.

Their short but sharp tracks started to form mosh pits in the centre of the room, drinks were starting to be thrown, and the energy was underway to feel like a pure punk-rock concert.

It must’ve been the charm of the harmonica that showcased many solos during the Boondall Boys set (it definitely was a crowd favourite).

Up next was the act that I was most excited for, Mean Jeans!

Flying all the way from Portland, Oregon that exact day this loud and humorous three-piece band belted out their latest single “I Don’t Give a Sht No More” like jet-lag isn’t even a thing.

Seeing the boys in 2022, I knew they would put on a great performance and enhance the already hyped-up crowd.

Being up-close and personal to the boys on stage brought the rawness and carelessness of their stage personas to life (in the best way possible).

With the combination of guitarist/frontman Billy Jeans’ vulgar vocals and comical replies, it complemented bassist, Junior Jeans’, high energy in which he OWNED that stage.

His boyish charm came out a few times throughout the performance as he pulled Billy’s guitar lead causing a stir.

Mean Jeans drummer Jean Wilder exuded plenty of passion behind the kit which brought the whole atmosphere together.

The crowd even convinced him to indulge in the classic Aussie tradition of the “shoey”. With a couple of technical difficulties, Mean Jeans still continued the show with full energy and passion.

The boys have definitely been welcomed well into the Australian culture with Mean Jeans themselves travelling around Australia for their very own tour to promote their debut album, “BLASTERED”.

So, if you didn’t snag tickets to their tour with The Chats, you better get some for theirs! If you don’t, you’re seriously missing out.

As the stage lights dimmed, the crowd started to get pushy, ringing in the ears started to get
louder.

Hundreds of fans gathered to the barricade to see one of the best modern punk acts
around hit the stage.

I knew we were in for a good set when the roadies tapped the setlist to
the stage, and I grabbed a glimpse.

It featured variety of songs from their “Get This In Ya”, “High Risk Behaviour”, “Get F**ked”, and self-titled album.

The boys walked on stage and struck right into the first song “Nambored”, playing twice the speed of the original – I didn’t think that was possible.

This was my fifth time seeing The Chats from small shows to stadium shows in support of Foo Fighters, so I kind of knew what to expect, but the energy they brought to their Solbar show was incomparable. This being a smaller and intimate venue I believe was the reason for this.

I reckon the stadium tours have ruined the authenticity and realness that guys like this bring to the stage.

The faster they played, the more the crowd moved, with fans jumping out of the pit with bloody noses and crowd surfers jumping straight into the waiting arms of security.

It felt like everyone was in the moment, and were here for the music, the connection, and the good time. Strumming into what seemed to be the crowds’ favourite, “6 Litre GTR”, they were singing word for word, pointing their fingers and shouting the lyrics straight back into the boys’ faces.

As Eamon’s alter-ego built they finished the set with one of their most popular songs, “Pub Feed”.

Doing his signature jump to finish, showing his concise appreciation in his harsh Australian accent…. he spoke just two words, “THANK YOU”.

My outtake:

If you haven’t experienced a shed/punk-rock show before you need to go to a Chats gig.

They are, like several other Aussie bands, reviving the lost punk scene that originated in DC and downtown LA and I can’t wait to see what other bands these guys will influence.

I hope to see more people support our Australian music scene and the venues that bring them to you.

Check out more stills and videos from Yelo reviewer Dameeka Middleton on Instagram here.