LIVE REVIEW: THE SCREAMING JETS + EYESITE @ KINGSCLIFF BEACH HOTEL 04/10/25
Words by Cecilia Pattison-LeviThe Kingscliff Beach Hotel hosted the local rock band Eyesite and the iconic rock band The Screaming Jets. The Screaming Jets put on an authentic and powerful rock ‘n’ roll show. It was a great night of different takes on classic and new Australian pub rock ‘n’ roll delivered without pretence. And as stated on Dave Gleeson’s t-shirt: “It’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll. But I Like It!”.
The drive down to the idyllic town of Kingscliff on the coast was easy. The town and beach looked beautiful in the afternoon light. The Kingscliff Beach Hotel was modern, the food and drinks were great, and the area set aside for a live music gig was airy and accessible. And as the sun went down, the stage and lights were made ready for a big night of Aussie rock music.
The supporting musicians tonight were the Kingscliff-based band Eyesite. They are a four-piece rock band comprising of Harris Brooker (vocals, rhythm guitar), Louis Thompson (lead guitar), Jordan Green (bass) and Flynn Thompson (drums) and they gave the crowd a fast and energetic performance. Their set was lively and delivered with a range of sonic soundscapes in their music from classic rock influences, to post-grunge garage rock and pop-punk with a tinge of screamcore in the vocals.
Eyesite took the opportunity to highlight the songs from their new album ‘Figure Eight’ with songs like ‘Faraway’, ‘Bridges’, the fantastic ‘Sweat It Out’ and ‘Figure Eight’ played in the set. They also played some older songs like ‘Other Eye’ and ‘In My Blood’ and songs from their EP ‘In My Head’. Eyesite also played a cover of Grinspoon’s ‘More Than You Are’ which gave a hint at the music that has influenced them.
Eyesite’s power in their music came from their commanding drummer, Flynn Thompson, who really controlled the sound, the pace, and the drive in the band’s sound. It was complemented by the solid bassline rhythm provided by Jordan Green that became obvious when the lead to the bass stopped working and it was really noticeable – so much better when he was back. The lead singer Harry Brooker has a voice for pop-punk. The lead guitarist, Louis Thompson, was working hard through the rapid tempo changes in their songs. The young crowd really loved Eyesite’s nine song set. There was a real build of energy in the venue as the crowd enjoyed the band’s surf-rock jams at the end of the set.
After a short break as instruments were moved and new setlists and water were placed onto the small stage. The lights went down and The Screaming Jets walked out across the venue and onto the stage to Thin Lizzy’s ‘Boys Are Back In Town’. The gig started with an explosion of energy as the opening chords of ‘C’mon’ bounced around the venue. It set the tone for the night: loud, proud, and in your face Aussie rock music. The crowd started sing along right from the first lyric.
The band rolled into the fan favourite ‘Needle’ before taking a short breath where Dave Gleeson played around with the lyrics of ‘What A Wonderful World’ and vocal style of Satchmo (Louis Armstrong) before he and the band launched into ‘Eve Of Destruction’. Then, the band stopped for a short rest as Dave Gleeson commented: “it’s an upbeat song about the end of the world” before the band launched into the next song, the huge rock ballad ‘Second Chance’.
The Screaming Jets played a comprehensive setlist, thrilling fans with a string of their classic hits and fan favourites. Dave Gleeson and Jimi Hocking shared some high jinks during the set including a kiss on the head. Dave Gleeson seemed to be in a rather loose and easy-going mood. The drummer, Cam McGlinchey, was on fire and the drumming throughout the set was so impressive. Paul Elliott kept in lock-step with the drums to hold it all together. Jimi Hocking was brilliant on the guitar, and Athol Maxwell-Davies, the fantastic guitar tech, did a great job on guitar.
The Screaming Jets were taking no prisoners. Dave Gleeson is the ultimate Australian front man as he taunted the NSW crowd about the NRL Grand Final between Victoria and Queensland before singing ‘Blue Sashes’. Then, another short stop as he talked about the dangers of midday TV: “You know – stayin’ home – smoking cones and watching daytime TV with Dr Phil, Oprah” before launching into ‘When I Go’ as he bounced around the stage.
It was the mid-point of the set. The Screaming Jets delivered the crowd favourites in ‘Sad Song’ and the wonderful melodic melancholic rocker ‘October Grey’. There was advice about what real ‘Scars’ are and that “missing a nail appointment is not a traumatic event”. Dave Gleeson put it out there – what we are all thinking - we all have scars but there’s no need to put them out there on social media, just get on with your life “and stop oversharing”. There were references to Slim Dusty and declarations of “I love country!” as ‘Cunnamulla’ was played. Dave Gleeson pole danced with the microphone stand through the song. And, it was these songs that were the set highlights.
By this point, the crowd was in full singalong and dancing mode. The devoted crowd was loving every moment. Dave Gleeson entertained with witty banter about social media influencers, especially ones that fall to their death off mountains taking a selfie. The world was going to hell and the “Fucking Rich Cunts” making it happen and the chant about the destruction of our planet and those in politics and technology who openly hate the planet, other people, and are just greedy: “Fucking Rich Cunts” before saying – “wonder what the people in the caravan park across the road think?” and “How will they explain that to the kids?”.
Then, the huge hits started to roll out with ‘Better’ and the wonderful ‘Helping Hand’. Then, the regulation set was over. The Screaming Jets thanked the crowd and left the stage.
But there was more: a three-song encore. Dave Gleeson came back out after a few minutes with his trusty acoustic guitar and the real news of the day: the subject ‘Keith and Nicole’. “Well, Nicole is back on the market. And, Keith is back on the coke”. Then, the gig took a serious turn with the delivery of the marvellous ‘Shiver’. The band kicked into party mode with a cover of Johnny Cash’s ‘Folsom Prison Blues’ that was performed with class. Then, the set was closed out with the cover of ‘Rockin' in the Free World’ by Canadian singer-songwriter Neil Young.
