It began like any old school day. Just the same old shit. Except there was a difference. It was January, and I had just begun a new school year. In contrast to my previous school years—which were utterly miserable, depressing, and very, very lonely—I was actually able to form acquaintances in every class I was in, and the classes I took were somewhat enjoyable.

The previous three years of my secondary school experience were what I now call my 'lost three years'. I had gotten into the selective school I attend through academic excellence, and because of that I was put into what is essentially a smart kids program. Let me tell you, it was complete misery. I was with the same people for three years straight for every subject. Having already been a pariah who had no friends for my entire school experience up to that point, I didn't really form cordial relationships with the people who I would have to sit in class with for an entire three years. I sunk into my deepest depression yet and if it wasn't for me joining the music scene during my second year, I knew that I would've gone down a really dark path.

So considering how I was finally free to make new connections and was able to do elective subjects which I absolutely obliterated, I was in quite a jovial mood for the last ever Woolloongabba Substation gig to ever be held as they banned gigs and ensured this event would be the last. I was more outgoing than usual, but of course, me being so used to social isolation, I wasn't really going to interact with anyone with a desire to make friendships because I just didn't think it would go anywhere.

What I was happy about was how I was able to arrange for me to sell my magazine at the door of the gig. I already knew that there probably wasn't going to be many sales (because lets face it, most people go to gigs to fuck around and get wasted and not to enjoy the music or really support the community that much) but I thought it would give me exposure and possibly precipitate some connections. In hindsight, I was going about it the wrong way. To make connections, one just had to talk to plenty of people with a desire to connect. To quote a book I read, 'you make more friends being interested in other people than trying to get other people interested in you'.

With the overall mindset I was in and agenda of what I wanted to do, it was time to see some bands play and have a good night.

I walked over from the Woolloongabba bus station. Upon sighting the substation, I saw a crowd of people dressed in alternative attire. I sighted Arran McKenzie of Piss Off and shouted over to him.

I crossed the street and greeted my acquaintances in bands. I then sat down at a picnic table in front of the entrance to the gig and laid out copies of zine for anyone who bothered to buy them. Soon, one of my acquaintances Tani came along, said hi, and bought an issue of the zine featuring the members of Piss Off. Some people saw the funny looking photos of the band members in it and laughed. Tani's friend Elliot also came and said hi. Outside the gig, there were a bunch of young people doing you know what. It really can't be a Substation gig without some people doing what they do outside the venue.

Some of the gig organisers went over to that crowd and from my observations tried to either route them so that they'd actually be paying for the gig and not just be a public liability, or just went over there to fuck around and ask them a bunch of questions for entertainment. Either way, a lot of them weren't going to get in as they were either broke, doing you know what and thus they can't be around people and indoors, or in a drunken stupor might have tried to get into the gig but were stopped by a pretty good security crew made up of friends of the gig organisers.

Either way, the first band—The Amphetamines got on to play, livestreaming their set and playing to an early bird crowd of about twenty people. As much as I would've loved to say they hit hard just like the drug, they just didn't. They had a pop punk, emo 'alternative', very polished sound, and it just didn't feel very hard. For their audience of 'alternative' young people it might, but it just did not sound very stimulating to my ears. I believe at most The Amphetamines had a sound comparable to an espresso shot. Their frontman Heath McTegg tried to have a stage presence but it was just lacking in comparison to other frontmen I've seen. It came off as very commercialised and polished and like a small local band trying to act like a stadium band but just without any of the sound, lights or action of a stadium band. They would've been good to a niche fanbase but for me it just wasn't it.

Slym had a metal kind of sound and people tried to start a moshpit, though the small venue size didn't allow much action to happen. It was quite hardcore though. Honestly it wasn't a very memorable set as it was just another standard local metal band set to me. Usually a memorable set would have something to make the band standout. For example, Findaway usually has strong crowd command, a well-ordered setlist, and strong, soulful songwriting. With stadium bands the scale and action and world-class nature and big venue would of course allow for very epic moshpits and memorable experiences. As much as I would like to say the same for Slym, they just didn't hit the boxes. You could tell that they still needed a fair bit to go, which is fair considering they're a relatively new local band with a smaller following. Good to actually see some harder rock and roll though.

The next band's set that I was able to catch was that of Piss Off, and let me tell you, their set was the best of the night. Very rock and roll sound. Highlights included their song 'LA Alley', best described as country blues rock. Another highlight was their cover of 'Born To Be Wild' by Steppenwolf, with Jackson Moore of Pimp filling in on backing vocals, and a energetic song called 'Public Funds'. They definitely matured as a band, but they really shed away their punk rock and shedrock roots in favour of a more classic rock sound. Also, their bigger band lineup—while good for scale and theatrics—feels less tight and 'local' and 'authentic' in comparison to their classic three-person lineup with short, simple songs about daily annoyances with a comedic twist. Good but it felt like they alienated their original audience and sound. I was honestly expecting an evolution of their sound towards a protopunk, fast paced punk rock kinda sound.

Overall, it was a great gig and a fitting finale to the Woolloongabba Substation's reign as Brisbane's preeminent all ages gig venue. The large amount of people there also enabled me to conduct interviews with several prominent bands in the scene, so that was a plus. It was one of the better gigs I've been to and quite a good experience. Also quite authentically rock and roll.