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Sebastian Bach - Live in Concert

The Palace - Melbourne, Australia

 

Seb gives the crowd his seal of approval

September 15th 2006

As people lined the streets, and even more filed in through the doors, it was pretty evident that Melbourne was desperate for a good old-fashioned rock show. Danzig had played the week before and Zakk Wylde’s Black Label Society would be arriving the week after. But tonight there was only one thought on everyone’s mind; could Seb really bring it?

Locals Mammal got the crowd going early, thanks to charismatic front man Ezekiel Ox, who at one stage donned a mirror ball helmet, matching those that line the Palace rooftop.

Following the second act, the mood became restless as the Palace suddenly became full. No one was saying it, but the excitement wasn’t for a washed up, long forgotten relic of the 80s music scene. It was for a living rockstar in the flesh, and although it was hard not to be sceptical at times, once Sebastian and the boys hit the stage all worries were forgotten. Bach really was back! After a disastrous end to the previous night's gig in Sydney, where Seb had stormed off stage after receiving abuse from airborne bottles, the band seemed very happy with the crowd reaction, which was near ecstatic. He started out with all guns blazing, slamming through heavy standards like Slave To The Grind, Big Guns and Piece of Me. The crowd had missed him, and apparently he missed them.“You know, it’s been over ten years since I was last here!” the Peter Pan like Bach

explained, barely ageing a year since then. Not only in appearance but also in his vocal ability, which still wailed with the best of them. “Man, I’ve been here three times,” he remembered. “But it’s my band's first time here. I told them Melbourne rocks!” And it certainly did rock for the Bach. It’s been a long time between gigs of this type for Melbourne, and no real rock fan was going to miss it. I think everyone was stoked and surprised by the turn out and attitude of the patrons.

After belting out a stack of old numbers, mixed with a few welcome tracks from the up and coming album, Johnny Chromatic ushered in the start of 18 and Life. The crowd erupted and sang the whole opening verse for them. The show continued on in strong fashion: a brand new ballad was well received; Metal Mike did a mediocre, but crowd-pleasing, guitar solo; Chromatic did the same, before sliding into a beautifully played and sung version of Little Wing. Although the rest of the show was great, it paled in comparison to these last moments. As Hendrix’s classic came to an end, Bach fully unveiled what was planned for summer. “I always say what I’m not supposed to, and I’ll probably get in trouble for this.” He tempted the crowd. “But…we might be coming back this summer…with Guns N Roses!”

The shock news was exactly what the struggling Melbourne rock scene needed to hear, and there wasn’t a silent voice in the building. Shivers ran down my spine as the crowd launched into a band-aided version of Sweet Child of Mine.
As if the crowd wasn’t happy enough, they stopped mid chorus and Bach stood centre stage. “Melbourne, one thing's for certain…I remember you!” The crowd erupted yet again as they started into his signature song, proving his voice hadn’t suffered at all. The song came to a slow close and he approached the centre. “Man, I wish we could play another ten songs. I don’t want to take a 20-hour flight back home!”

In predictable but pleasing fashion they ended the show with Youth Gone Wild,which was stronger and more heartfelt than any recording. He climbed the speakers and really blew the roof off. The song ended and I walked on stage. Seb offered me the mic and a friendly arm over my shoulder. “I love this man!” is all I could really say, and the crowd agreed with nods and screams. He had unexpectedly won the hearts of everyone in the house.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seb lends me mic (btw: that's just my jumper around my waist! LOL)

 

*The written portions of this article were also published in Beat Magazine, Australia

 

 

 

 

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