HEADLINER: WHEATUS
SUPPORTS: THOMAS NICHOLAS BAND / PURPLE DISTURBANCE
DATE: JANUARY 16TH
PHOTOGRAPHER: ANDREW TREADWELL PHOTOGRAPHY
Wheatus has touched down in Australia to celebrate their iconic debut album and more, and there couldn’t have been a more fitting venue than Brisbane’s Crowbar to kick off the festivities on a hot, steamy summer night.
Leading the charge were Purple Disturbance, a punk-infused, alternative art rock quartet from Coffs Harbour. These energetic rebels nailed the chaos needed as an opener delivering a ferocious homage to all things punk and rock. Fans of Ramones, and Amyl and the Sniffers, will find a lot to love here. Frontman Thomas Downes channels a fiery mix of Johnny Rotten and Mick Jagger. Teaming up with Jed Freudenstein on guitar,
Joshua Downes on bass, and Jess Franklin on drums, this quartet is definitely one to watch.
Next up was the Thomas Nicholas Band, recognized from the American Pie series. His kicked off with a clever twist on “Stacy’s Mom,” transforming it into “Stifler’s Mom” filled with nostalgic references. With originals like “My Generation” and “Tomorrow’s Gonna Hurt,” alongside familiar hits like “All the Small Things,” Thomas captivated the audience. Performing solo on guitar, he kept everyone engaged, proving that the absence of a full band lineup didn’t dampen the excitement.
Wheatus’ performance was truly one-of-a-kind. For two continuous hours, their set didn’t ebb and flow; every song was delivered with the intensity of a finale. Based on the nostalgia of playing their self-titled 2000 album in its entirety, but without a firm setlist, they invited the audience to choose the order, sparking lots of shout outs, laughs and impromptu lessons on the grading of Aussie Foul Mouthed Nicknames
With eight performers on stage at a time you would think it would be busy, but there was so much breathing room for the songs to come alive. Brendan B Brown hit all the right notes, and had all the rock star moves down, with the guitar windmill worthy of an Olympic 10
The band maintained a lighthearted vibe, joking about one of their songs being “just a terrible f***ing song” while still pouring their hearts into the performance. Alongside the debut album tracks, they treated the crowd to favorites like “American in Amsterdam,” “Lemonade,” and “A Little Respect,” plus lively covers like Green Day’s “Basket Case,” which Brown cheekily admitted he wished he had penned. Their rendition of Erasure’s “A Little Respect” and “Chan’s The Man” were cheeky yet fun, creating an atmosphere where music was all about enjoyment.
The night ended in an epic finale with “Teenage Dirtbag,” followed by “Real Girl,” where Brendan played unplugged, guitar in hand and no mic, just as promised earlier. The crowd became a choir, and bought it all home, which showed the power of live music.
Thomas Ian Nicholas Set List
Stifler’s Mom
All The Small Things (Blink 182 Cover)
My Generation
Tomorrow’s Gonna Hurt
Same Kids
We’re Gonna Be Okay
1999
Wheatus Set List
A Little Respect (Erasure cover) with ‘My Girl’ Ending
Truffles
Sunshine
Leroy
Hump’Em N’ Dump’Em
American In Amsterdam
Wannabe Gangstar
Temporary Song
Rock ‘n’ Roll Damnation (AC/DC Cover)
I’d Never Write A Song About You
What Makes You Beautiful (One Direction Cover)
Lemonade
Chan’s The Man
Basket Case (Green Day Cover)
I Am What I Am
Love Is A Mutt From Hell
Pretty Girl
Fair Weather Friend
Hey Mr. Brown
Teenage Dirtbag
Real Girl (Brendan Solo with No Mic Unplugged)
