There is a certain allure that accompanies the open mic night. You’re never entirely sure what to expect. The only thing you know is that what you’re about to experience will be truly authentic, that the people who make their way on stage are as enthusiastic about their music they’ve made as they are about sharing it with their audience.
As soon as their set starts, it becomes clear that local act Profanity embody this ethos perfectly. Self-described best mates James and Max clearly aren’t here to waste time as they dive straight into their first number. It’s easy to forget that there are only two people on stage. Both members of the band are playing guitar, but as the lead singer, Max controls the tempo from atop his cajon (think a box with a kick-pedal attached to it), resulting in a colossal beat reverberating its way through the bar. Each instrument is sonically unique. James’ guitar boasts a distorted, earthy sound that contrasts perfectly with his bandmate’s glistening clean tones. Both members are wearing T-shirts, shorts and low-top shoes; a simple look that works with the complexity of the music they’re playing to result in an effortless charm.
By the time the first track is over, the energy has changed completely. There’s a sense of electricity making its way around the room as the duo take a moment to interact with the audience. It’s not long before they launch into ‘Flogged’, their second song. Flogged is ostensibly the highlight of the night. Both members of the band are shrouded in hazy fog from the smoke machine, and the stage lights transition from a deep violet to neon green. Here the pair seem to have found their place on the stage. Between the grungy sound of James’s guitar and Max’s gravelly, rock n’ roll vocals, it’s difficult not to think of acts like Soundgarden or Silverchair.
The energy was consistent throughout the remainder of the set. From time to time the genre would twist and turn in a way that kept things feeling consistently fresh. Twenty minutes will never feel like quite enough time, and the disappointment in the audience was palpable when the band were told their time was up, probably leaving many wishing encores were a staple feature of the open mic night.
Image: Provided
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