Having previously played Durban twice, to what could optimistically called sparse crowds due to a lack of exposure (which is odd, considering kidofdoom are shit-hot, as in ‘Jesus Christ, call the fuckin’ fire department, these dudes are flaming!’), it was encouraging to see a packed-out Willowvale Hotel play host at the band’s third Durban appearance. It seems that a support slot played by the perennially cheerful The Arrows, who move with a bright-eyed and bushy-tailed fanbase that would do any band proud, always ensures that any out of town act can expect to play to more than a handful of diehards, so a gold star to the organisers on that count. Top marks, too, for the great sound and light - always an encouraging sign that someone, somewhere, has got their head screwed on right in a city where lacklustre production levels have been known to sully otherwise competent performances. Added to this mix was the savvy Willowvale crowd, who, whether attending the I Heart Durban or NONONO!!! parties or independently-organised live gigs, always show strong support to gigs that offer a departure from the usual smorgasbord of cheese that can make up a considerable portion of the standard Durban musical menu. But enough with the hors d’ouvres, let’s get to the main course.

kidofdoom, as you would know unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last three years, are a four-piece act outta Pretoria. Young, gifted and white, they play indie rock…with no lyrics. And while this may strike some as odd (the sarky bulldyke in a homburg on her minder’s shoulders who screamed ‘Get a fuckin’ singer!’ included. To which it must be replied ‘Get a fuckin’ clue.’), it’s safe to say that the flailing crowd surfers in the heaving moshpit and the revved-up punters waving their hands in the air couldn’t give a shit – these dudes rocked out from start to finish with an infectious vigour that’d get a septuagenarian in ICU bouncing like a tot in the throes of a sugar rush. From power chords and rising crescendos punched home by the hyperactive and consummately enthusiastic keyboardist (who doubles as guitar #2) and matched by possessed and razor-sharp drumming, a kidofdoom show rocks the socks off any comers. Industrial-strength slabs of sound barrel on down a sonic highway which at times evoked the sounds of Polyphonic Spree, Kings of Leon and Mogwai. If you think those comparisons are lathering it on a bit thick, you’re either tone deaf or haven’t seen this band. Delivering a blistering set of their best-known tunes with hardly a moment’s rest (apart from asking the entirely reasonable question ‘Who do I have to fuck to get a cold beer round here?’), there’s no doubt the band were happy with the result. Trying their sweaty best to exit the stage after their second encore, the baying of the crowd brought them back for their final tune: the ‘Mario Bros’ theme, fricasseed a la kidofdoom. Tasty? Mmmmm.