Billiam and the Split Bills, Rhysics, Tali and the Arms - Social Sanctuary delivers
Last night, three of Naarm’s up and coming rock bands took to the Northcote Social Club stage to tear through some seriously fun music for the masses.
Northcote’s premiere venue for live rock n’ roll delivered yet again with their Social Sanctuary series. Every Monday, you can expect a different lineup of hot acts, ready to rock. This week we were blessed with a Billiam and the Split Bills, Rhysics and Tali and the Arms - three differing but powerful projects bursting with colour and creativity. All three sets were an absolute treat to the ears.
Opening the show was Marthouse Records alum Tali and the Arms. Led by Tali Harding-Hone (Dr Sure’s Unusual Practice, Dog Door), the band delivers dark art-rock reminiscent of Full Flower Moon Band and Tropical Fuck Storm with poppy hooks and catchy pentatonic riffs.
Black Snake began the set with memorable tempo changes and anethmic lyrics but the personal favourite was Private Riot for it’s brilliant reflections on finding faith in whatever existence can be found. Special mention as well to Straggler for absolute sing-a-long catchiness.
Follow up Rhysics brought the love with a unique mix of garage pub punk and humour. Fronted by Rhys Renwick, the songs were a blend of semi-spoken vocals, watery guitars and colourful synths moving at high speeds with energetic drums made for a delightfully dancey mosh pit.
Tracks like Together Now, Missed My Train and Left On Read expressed classic feelings of twenty-something semi-existentialism, like a delightful blend of Jeff Rosenstock and Courtney Barnett. Shout out to Dopamine for it’s blink-or-you’ll-miss-it interpolation of Oasis lyrics for the in-the-know, making for one of many hilarious moments.
Headliners Billiam and the Split Bills introduced us to a new era for the band from the word go - a new outfit, new member and hobby horses galore. Never a dull moment in Billiamville. With a new LP on the way, European tour on the horizon and a steadily growing local star, Billy and the band are better than ever and bound for rock glory.
Billiam’s unique brand of off kilter egg-punk is original, captivating and fun as hell. Every track is packed with energy and emotion - and every instrument seems to be battling for attention throughout.
Classics filled the night’s set - everything from older tracks like Jenny Destroys Records and Someone Stole My Electricity to newer singles Sleeping In The Mountains and Scoop & Weigh. Billy strangely introduced recent album opener Leather Pepper from 2023’s Corner Tactics LP as "an older one” - reminding the crowd of how fast Billiam’s discography moves. In only a few years he’s released dozens of singles, EPs and LPs along with a laundry list of expressive and hilarious merch.
To celebrate the release of latest single Maid Dress, Billy was appropriately dressed in its namesake - complete with winged eyeliner. A reflection of personal identity, the track is yet another Billiam classic, complete with a fantastic music video recently released.
The continuity between recorded music and live performance is always deeply essential, making every show an experience tied to a piece of the larger Billiam canon. It’s borderline musical worldbuilding.
@billiamofbilliam @splitbillsofbilliam
Another amazing free night of quality rock n’ roll down, join in on Northcote Social’s Social Sanctuary next time you can.
Make sure to check out the bands Tali and the Arms, Rhysics and absolutely Billiam and the Split Bills before they jet off to enjoy international egg-punk stardom!
All photos taken by Mitch Gibson-Kingdom @gucci.lil.piggy