Live and Dangerous - Sick Puppies play healthy show

[Donna]

The Daily Aztec in San Diego



Throughout the years, Australia has given the United States human treasures such as Hugh Jackman, Cate Blanchett, Keith Urban and Mel Gibson. Yet the greatest gift of all from the Aussie brethren has been hard-rock band Sick Puppies.


The band, which consists of Shimon Moore on vocals and guitar, Emma Anzai on bass and Mark Goodwin on drums, graced the House of Blues with its presence last Thursday along with supporting acts Janus and Young Goodman.


The latter of the three is a San Diego band that should have shone, given the support from its hometown. However, Young Goodman only managed to produce pitchy lyrics and unmemorable melodies. Nonetheless, the quartet showed enthusiasm and promise for improvement with a little more practice.


Janus brought excitement with edgy songs and high energy — a great way to play its first Southern California show. Each member wore matching, slightly altered, mock-military uniforms that made them look as sharp and professional as they sounded. Janus rocked out song after song with tidbits of electronic instrumentation and screamo-genre lyrics mixed in. The band played songs from its new album and even ventured into a cover of Depeche Mode’s “Walking In My Shoes.” Yet as great as Janus was to watch perform, it was nothing compared to Sick Puppies.


Sick Puppies kept fists pumping from its first to its last chord. The three members took up little space in front of their amps, which displayed “The Nightmare Before Christmas” figurines sitting on top. This extra room allowed Anzai, a Hot Topic poster child, to run around carefree in her combat boots and fishnets while head-banging along to the thump of her bass. Meanwhile, Moore kept the audience captivated with his quirky facial expressions and charismatic gestures. His crowd interaction was mesmerizing as he engaged it in screaming wars and mosh pits. Every note of every song was perfect, and its performance set the bar for future bands hoping to meet the trio’s caliber.


Sick Puppies played songs from both its albums, such as “Maybe,” “All The Same,” “My World” and “Odd One.” The band even included a hard-core mash up of “Pants On The Ground” of “American Idol” fame and Destiny’s Child’s “Say My Name.” Although there was no encore, it was obvious fans left content with an evening of heavy-rock perfection.


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[wrxracer24]

Emma as a hot topic poster child? Is that a good or bad reference? I think the rest of the review sounded pretty good

[Gabby]

"His quirky facial expressions," that's Shim for ya.

And I think Emma deserves a little more credit than "Hot Topic poster child" *snort*

Still, a good review. SP really outshines everyone else.

[Cassie]

[Donna]

I'm thinking she meant it in a good way about Emma's clothing..how could she not .. it rocks Hot Topic is usually the first stop I make at the mall !

[Cassie]

I hope so! Yea, same here (although I could never pull of anything that she wears...)

[Gabby]

I just have a really negative view of Hot Topic so I guess I took it as a non-compliment...



EMMA RULES!!!!

[Katy]

Very pro-SP article! Aside from the comment made about Emma, though I can see how that could be taken in a positive way too.

[Julie]

"His quirky facial expressions."
I always think his facial expressions are great and add to the show. I'm also a very expressive person so it's something I do myself, which might be why I think that.

"Hot Topic poster child"
I think it's a positive, and would be happy to be called one myself (if I could get away with it, which I can't and Emma is awesome in doing so).

[Cassie]

[Gabby]

It's the Twilight fangirls that drive me away, personally. My store is tiny, and when threre's very little room to walk, tempers being to flare. I know you're stoked about the Edward tote bag, but take a chill pill.

I dunno, the merch there just hasn't been too great lately. I'll sometimes find some good stuff in the clearance bins and the music section always has some awesome DVDs. But other than that, I spend no more than 15 minutes in there.

[Crazzzy]

Haven't any of you seen the South Park about Hot Topic, the original Goth kids burned it down to get rid of the twilight investation at school

I do kind of agree that Emma is a Hot Topic Poster child, but she doesn't look like that all the time, it's mainly on stage, and it's not like she has Dog Collars, Braclets, and/or chains (according to her she doens't even have piercings or tatoos). The only thing that's "Hot Topic-y" is her boots. But that's really about it.

[Cassie]

[Gabby]

[Cassie]

[David]

That was a great article, great description of the energy the put into the crowd.

I don't know anything about Hot Topic, so I'll stay undecided on that comment....I guess it could go either way, but I could see how a concert reviewer not familier with the band could think that.

[Juliesnaps]

[Cassie]

[Juliesnaps]

I didn't think you were knocking hot topic or what she wears on stage and I think a lot of the chicks here would wear those clothes if they could pull it off, I know I have some of that stuff in my closet.

[Cassie]