Aussie punks, Amyl and The Sniffers hit the LA scene at the Teragram Ballroom this past week and they were energetically mind blowing. I had been waiting for them to perform somewhere nearby so once they dropped the tickets, there was no doubt in my mind that I was going to miss seeing one of my favorite bands perform.
They had two bands open up for them, Diode and C.O.F.F.I.N, and they were pretty noisy and great! I think these two definitely set up the crowd and prepared everyone for what was to come. Then finally, Amyl and the Sniffers walked out on stage and the venue was filled with chaos.
Right off the bat, the band started off with the banger “Cup Of Destiny” with so much energy and the crowd instantly went wild. People were being thrown back and forth and in every direction you can name. The pit was insane and so huge; I swear it felt like everyone was in it.
They played “Choices” in response to the vote to overturn Roe V Wade. Amy yelled out “Tell your bloody government to keep their hands off your uteruses!” to which the guitarist Dec replied, “And all the men in here should be just as outraged!” The crowd shouted along with them and I just had to put all my anger into the pit, screaming along to the lyrics “My choice is my own! My body, my own, I own it!” That was such a f*ck yeah moment.
It wasn’t until “Knifey” came on where a dear friend of mine, Indira, whom I came to the show with, and I felt the most understood. Amy dedicated the song and said “This one’s for the ladies,” as it expressed the difficulties and dangers women face in public. This song really hit home since the two of us had been catcalled 10+ times right before the show in the streets, so when this song came on we most definitely put out all of our rage.
I went out of my comfort zone at this show and decided to crowd surf not once, but TWICE. These two people saw me struggling to get to the stage and yelled “I got you!” and carried me up there. It was so cool and the feeling I got while crowd surfing to “Hertz” was pure euphoria. I even got to be up there for a few seconds with Amy as she threw herself in as well. Shortly after, the band ended the night with “Some Mutts (Can’t Be Muzzled)” to which Amy did her iconic arm flex. What a queen.
What I loved the most was that everyone around each other was helping each other out and looking out for one another. If someone fell in the pit, everyone around swarmed to help that person up. It just felt so great to be surrounded by individuals who were there to just have a good time, take care of one another, and simply enjoy the music. The aftermath was no joke. Indira and I may be tiny, but man did we go all out in that pit. We both woke up sore as hell and with lots of bruises everywhere, but it was so worth it. That’s how you know this show was intense.
This was one hell of a show, my favorite by far, and I had the time of my life this night. Overall, the band played a good mix of songs from both their self-titled and new album Comfort To Me. It was banger after banger that kept our energy high. Amy Taylor is a badass performer and I love her so much, oh my goodness! 10/10 for these guys and Amyl, thanks for letting us “into your pub” for a night to remember.
