Lynott's Lounge — Restaurant in Northbridge

I went to Lynott’s Lounge for the first time on Friday 5 September to see Hot Machine and Legs Electric, two Aussie all girl rock bands.

Located in the heart of Northbridge, Lynott’s Lounge is a great venue with a gritty, industrial vibe that lets you know you’re in a place where rock comes alive. The staff are super friendly and there’s plenty of beer, wine and spirits on offer. The menu also has jaffles for those looking for a feed.

I grew up in the 90s listening to AC/DC, Metallica, Alice Cooper, Black Sabbath and Judas Priest. So, being at a rock gig, I was in my element.

A Perth band called Serpentine opened the gig. They play really well, were super entertaining, and have great energy.

After Serpentine, it was time for the next act. Hot Machine didn’t so much make an entrance as capture the audience’s attention. A quintet made up of Sammy O’Keefe on vocals, with Sarsha Marsden and Jess Turner on guitar. The rhythm section features Brittany Britten on bass and Jess Maio on drums. The band’s performance reminded me of a quote from Alice Cooper. He said when it comes to live music, there’s no point in a band taking the approach of “we hope you like us”. He went onto say “you have to take the audience because they want to be taken”. Hot Machine clearly know this. They took the crowd from the moment they came on stage and were relentless until the end.

A powerhouse of energy, Hot Machine played a combination of covers and original songs. This worked like a charm. They played all songs from their debut EP ‘Leather and Steel’. ‘Red Hot Summer’ and ‘She’s on the Money’ are stand out tracks. They also played an epic version of Metallica’s ‘Enter Sandman’ and AC/DC’s ‘Shoot to Thrill’, which they followed up with the AC/DC classic - ‘Whole lotta Rosie’. They also played their latest single ‘Night Rider’. This band are a tight unit and know how to put on a good show.

Stage presence matters at rock gigs. Hot Machine have it in spades. Sammy works the crowd really well and has a powerful voice built for rock. Her vocals are paired with amazing guitar riffs and solos and great drumming. The bass notes are great too. On top of that, all five members look like they’re having fun. You can’t fake the smiles they had on their faces all night. They do gang vocals too, which lends more power to the performance. Plus, during the show, I noticed a few times where members were leaning against each other – Judas Priest style – while playing. This is a classic rock move that never goes out of style.

After the gig, I said hello to Sammy. She was super chilled and told me they’ve been going for about two years. I also chatted to one of the guitarists and mentioned that I picked up a Judas Priest vibe from their sound and style. It turns out that Priest is one of her favourite bands.

Legs Electric were next on the bill. A quartet featuring Ama Quinsee on vocals, Elana Haynes on guitar, Erin Gooden on bass, and Kylie Soanes on drums, they’re a force to be reckoned with. Their set was fantastic, with a mix of covers and originals, including ‘Dark Paradise’ and ‘Volcanic’, a pure, take no prisoners rock anthem. They also did a cover of Deep Purple’s ‘Black Night’, which was a real crowd pleaser. Plus, they did a thunderous version of CCR’s ‘Proud Mary’, which was another popular one with the crowd.

Ama’s vocals are powerful, with a good range. She plays the tambourine, which adds another element to the show. She is the consummate frontwoman with energy to burn, involving the crowd all through the show. Much like Hot Machine, all band members were smiling and having fun on stage.

At the end of their set, one of the guitarists from Hot Machine came back on stage and together, they closed the set with a roof raising rendition of AC/DC's ‘You shook me all night Long’. After the house lights came on, Ama chatted to fans and was great to chat to. I said hello and we ended up chatting about our mutual love of classic and modern rock/metal bands.

The future of rock is in good hands. Hot Machine and Legs Electric are...

This quiz night venue would have to be the most average or below. The overpriced everything...the Shiraz...for example, purchased at 46.00 for a bottle, I saw at Dan Murphy's for 10.00 the very next day. So very disappointing!! Talk about price gouging. Food overpriced...a Caesar salad...26.00 with very little chicken and a sprinkling of bacon.. Ostensibly a bowl of lettuce...shameful. The selection of Quizmeister...not the best! Dux Nuts run excellent quiz nights. Their format is understandable, engaging and prizes...just better. So, there needs to be an overhaul if you want to attract people who are prepared to pay...

Fab little venue! Perfect for comedy shows and small events. We were there last night for the fringe festival and have a lovely time watching Larry Dean.

It’s quite a tight space, allowing for a feeling of intimacy with the performer. The bar is just behind so you can jump up for a drink without missing any action. Adjoining is also the Jonny Fox! Perfect to grab a bite or chill out pre/post the show.

Definitely recommend going for a look, just be mindful if sensitive to bright lights or super loud environments as it can be slightly...