The Hi-Fi club was buzzing with excitement. Everybody was waiting for the Victoria Final. What we had in Melbourne was a very intense evening of exciting music, ready to be judged by both the audience members and a panel of judges. The winner, was taken through to the final of the Emergenza festival in Sydney at The Metro Theatre.
 The music in itself was of really good quality and the energy in the room was so high you could charge your car. That is if you have an electric car...but let's get started:


The event kicked off with YOUR LOCAL HERO . A good punk rock band. Punk in the modern sense. They had a very youthful approach to their music and had a west coast american punk sound. The Green Day influence was there and the lead singer had very strong vocals. The drummer was very good as well. They definetely appealed to the audience who enjoyed their set. A good effort from these guys.

ORANGE was up next. A very young Trio with right Ideas as far as songs. Mixing a traditional rhythm section with keyboards and guitars they got a very fresh sounding set. British influenced bands here did nothing but good for these lads. They entertained the crowd like consumate professionals despite the young age. Proof that age really does not matter when you have talent and confidence.
 Great ideas. Enjoyable set.

Things were interesting when MIDRIFF EXPLOSION came on. This female fronted 6 piece was actually quite balanced in a contradictory way. Three guys and three girls. A very democratic band I'd say. What struck me was their singer's vocal pitch which was quite sweet and a contrast to the rock sound they were putting in front of us. This worked really well for some strange reason. Their songs particularly stand out as their raw soul and sensitiveness comes through loud and clear. Sometimes they are a little predictable musically, but it doesn't distract from the charm that was felt.

ST JIMMY had more experience than the previous bandsand you could tell. These 3 guys and 1 woman were super rehearsed and delivered a terrific set. Despite their tough looks, they actually had fabulous melodies and super songs. These were a favourite for me personally. Every single person in that band showed stage presense and personality. A really good performance

VIRTUE. Now that's a band. Proof that all you need is a trio to make rock and roll. Experience, skill, stage presence this band really has it all. Mixing rock attitude with truly wonderful songs sang by a woman who has more rock soul in her little finger than most have their bodies. Comparisons with the great Chrissie Amphlett when it came to the vocal style are inevitable but I feel that this band had more to give than your straight forward rock band with commercial tunes. Experience and good songwriting did pay off in this case. They won and deservedly so. This band oozes with rock.

PRETTY DULCIE Played with passion. This four piece did their job and did it well. Getting high marks in songwriting by the whole panel was actually justified but they should have given more in the arrangements in my opinion. Stil,l this is a good band that deserves to be seen by all. A great set.

Next on stage were POETIC KAOS. This Is a big band. A 7 piece rock band playing old school rock with backing singers and all. There's somewhat of a resurgence of old school 70's style rock and this is proof. The visual impact given by this group given the number of members on stage was strong. This great presence was somewhat overshadowing the good intentions and ideas. Ideas that were translated in the songs. A good effort.

THE UGLY KINGS call themselves a country rock band. I'd say there's more. These three guys were actually one of my favourite bands as far as sound. Blues? Rock? I would go as far as saying indie blues rock. It's not a type of music but it suits them fine. The guitar player knew what he was doing and he proved it by getting an incredible tone for his guitar. As far as looks are concerned these are rock stars ready made to be sold to the hot girls who are into The Black Keys or Kinks of Leon. The whole package is here for the takings and as far as the live show it is complete. Tone, energy and tunes. Not for all tastes but sooo cool!

BLACK MAYDAY. They are heavy. They are good. Galctic Metal? Is there such thing? Yes these guys are. Like most hard rock bands you have to know how to play yoour instruments and these guys have the technical skills. Old school metal guitarist mix their riffs with technique and blend it with harmonizing vocals. A great heavy rock band like we haven't seen for ages....Thank god they were good because in Metal you are either crap or really good. In this case, really good.

KILLS COLLAPSE were a quirky, wonderfully mad band with a girl singing songs that should be made compulsory tunes at university parties around the world. Likeable, likeable, likeable. Simply fun. Distorted bass, beautifully sloppy drums and a guitarist who lives in his own world. All this is a band that I can't put my finger on. What's the style?....the real question is: Who cares? It is wonderful! Really glad I saw them. You must as well.

The first thing that struck me about OPTICAL SCREW is the strong rhythm section. Very tight. The guitars were a nice toppin to this solid foundation. The singer's style was a strange mix. Imagine Pelle from The Hives, put him in a blender with Dave Ghrol, throw some Chris Cornell and Eddie Vedder....actually scrap that! This guy is more original. He has a warm tone and a pitch that's different but certainly the energy of those mentioned. Somgs are strong and image as well. Very good lads. Very good.

FENIAN had the hard task of closing off the night. Last band here at the HI-Fi and what a job they did. All I can say is what a voice. Passionate, sharp and really well controlled. This woman knew how to sing and sing she did. Songs were not that straight forward and formulated and that worked really well. This guitarist was one of the best on hand in this final. Inventive, concentrated and with a really good feel. Not your technical shredder but somebody who is above all that. Melodies, melodies, melodies. They gave us that. Simply beautiful.

And so the night ended and the judges had the hard task of picking just one band.....drum roll please: VIRTUE! The were the winners and are going to Sydney to represent Victoria in the National Final. This was another night of fun for me where I saw incredible bands playing really good songs. There's so much talent in Melbourne it's embarassing that American labels are promoting crap around the globe. My seggestion is: Go to Melbourne and spend a few days soaking the music scene.

Come on Sydney!!