The last time Shellac played in Auckland it was at the beautiful Mandalay ballroom in Newmarket in March 2001. Sadly the venue is long gone, but the memory of Shellac's angular attack and searing assault has been etched permanently in the recesses of my rock'n'roll mind.
So the return of the band led by Steve Albini - the former frontman of nice 'n' nasty noise makers Big Black, producer to the stars (Nirvana's In Utero, Pixies' Surfer Rosa, and, um, Bush), and the man whose lent a unique bite to the sound of numerous bands (Fugazi, Mogwai, and our own HDU to name a few) - is long awaited to say the least.
Indeed, that night at the Mandalay, Shellac were supported by HDU who were at the height of their volatile sonic tenure following the release of the Albini-produced Fire Works.
While HDU split up, and will reunite for next year's Laneway, Shellac have never gone away and these days they are no different. Perhaps a little less confronting as people, but still musically abrasive, uncompromising, and riveting. It's the sort of music that makes you feel tough.
In the 15 years since their last visit, Albini and band, also made up of drummer Todd Trainer and bass player Bob Weston, have only released two albums, including this year's Dude Incredible. And they play some new songs, including the creepy stealth of album highlight, Riding Bikes, but the set is more of a trawl through the band's beautifully caustic canon.
