Walking down Fitzroy Street in St. Kilda Melbourne on a rather chilly Thursday evening, we wondered if we were heading in the right direction. An army of leather clad double denim wearers signaled us towards The Prince Bandroom for a night of big hair, bigger guitar solos, and in the case of the support act, massive egos.
MASSIVE, a local Melbourne act, held the Rock n Roll wheel for the first 40 minutes. I’ve seen their posters around town and heard good things. This was my first time experiencing them live. I dug their songs, their vibe and their straight forward song writing. But! Not their attitude. I really wasn’t feeling their between song banter. Thankfully it didn’t detract from enjoying their songs, and I say they made a fair few new fans.
Musically MASSIVE were impressive. With fret melting guitar solos and riffs you can set your watch too. Their songs had driven and ambition. The four foot something front-man pounding out the rhythm and lead guitars along with a voice bigger than the man himself (the pure definition of irony – the band’s name, considering the size of the vocalist. That right there is clever marketing I’d say.)
They finished their set with a bang and the crowd was ready for Lita Ford.
We were excited. We were waiting. We were waiting for a fucking long time.
It was almost an hour and a half before Lita and her band graced the stage. The wait found us inhaling dangerous amounts of dry ice from the constant smoke machine and growing increasingly frustrated from staring at Lita Ford graphic project behind the drum kit. Finally the world’s greatest roadie came out in a huff 
and said “No more smoke”. Unfortunately, this wasn’t the end of the problems this night.
Lita and her boys emerged. Lita was dressed to kill, sporting a red leather outfit worthy of the bride of Satan herself.
“Hey Australia, I finally made it and I’ve brought you L.A’s finest,” said Lita with gusto after holding her tongue in her cheek during a cover of Elton John’s “The Bitch is Back”. I never thought I would find myself head banging to Elton John.
Elton was followed by “Hunger”. “Hunger” was followed with new song “Relentless”. Lita may not have hit all the higher notes, but the pure joy and passion the band projected filled the room with healthy glow.
On several occasions Lita’s amp seemed to take on a mind of its own. Generating copious amounts of feedback and at times switching to a clean tone when a down right dirty sound was needed. The band powered on and Lita held her charismatic smile through it all.
One of my favorite moments of the night was the story about drinking with the infamous whiskey hound that is Lemmy Kilmeister. “We were drinking for three days, and it took me three days to recover. We wrote this song, it took me 3 months to remember it”. “Can’t Catch Me” was and is still one powerhouse of a song.
Lita wasn’t lying when she said she had brought us L.A’s finest. Lita and fellow guitarist Mitch traded licks like kids trade Pokemon cards. Marty provided the bottomless bass. Mr. Bobby Rock (not Metallica’s Producer) struck a direct hit when he flung himself around the drums like monkey in a banana store during a drum solo that can only be described as Razzle Dazzle Showstopper Beddazlement.
“Should we take you back to The Runaways?”
Everyone one had chills baby. Chills.
“Cherry Bomb” was Lita’s vocal high of the night. Not missing a single moment to shine, Lita Ford still has it.
The set was coming to a close with the bone shivering “Close My Eyes Forever”. Every note on that sweet double necked guitar was played like a heart string plucked with meaning and sorrow.
Watch “Close My Eyes Forever”
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“I went to a party on Saturday night. I didn’t get laid, I got in a fight”. Oh baby, how Lita kissed us all deadly with the bands final number.
Watch “Kiss Me Deadly”
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The band had fun. The crowd had fun. I think it’s safe to say that whilst she may not have gotten the fame and recognition she deserved, Lita and her boys proved that bullshit doesn’t matter if you can still make a venue brim with glee and joy from simply playing music with a smile on your face.
Setlist
The Bitch is Back
Hungry
Relentless
Living Like A Runaway
Gotta Let Go
Devil in my Head
Back to the Cave
Mother
Under The Gun
Can’t Catch Me
Out For Blood
Cherry Bomb
Black Leather
Close My Eyes Forever
Kiss Me Deadly
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