Live Review: Sick Puppies @ The Garage.

by | Apr 25, 2014

Sick Puppies. The band consists of vocalist and guitarist Shim Moore, bassist Emma Anzai and drummer Mark Goodwin (Simon Jay Price/Rockshot)

Sick Puppies. The band consists of vocalist and guitarist Shim Moore, bassist Emma Anzai and drummer Mark Goodwin (Simon Jay Price/Rockshot)

The LA based Australian band Sick Puppies are used to playing in large arena’s and venues such as the House of Blues, in the USA. So coming along to The Garage at Islington, London might be a little surprise. Not so much for the venue but for the noticeable lack of a crowd especially on the last night of their UK tour.

Sick Puppies. The band consists of vocalist and guitarist Shim Moore, bassist Emma Anzai and drummer Mark Goodwin (Simon Jay Price/Rockshot)

Sick Puppies. The band consists of vocalist and guitarist Shim Moore, bassist Emma Anzai and drummer Mark Goodwin (Simon Jay Price/Rockshot)

They are an energetic and melodic rock trio who are driving for a harder sound and they achieve this to a certain extent on the new album Connect. It is the songs from this album that dominate the show kicking off with Die To Save You and the US hit There’s No Going Back.

Sick Puppies. The band consists of vocalist and guitarist Shim Moore, bassist Emma Anzai and drummer Mark Goodwin (Simon Jay Price/Rockshot)

Sick Puppies. The band consists of vocalist and guitarist Shim Moore, bassist Emma Anzai and drummer Mark Goodwin (Simon Jay Price/Rockshot)

It is bassist Emma Anzai who really steals the show and moves around the stage like she is wrestling her bass like a python. Her vocals and playing are pretty awesome and she loves to rock out.

Sick Puppies. The band consists of vocalist and guitarist Shim Moore, bassist Emma Anzai and drummer Mark Goodwin (Simon Jay Price/Rockshot)

Sick Puppies. The band consists of vocalist and guitarist Shim Moore, bassist Emma Anzai and drummer Mark Goodwin (Simon Jay Price/Rockshot)

The heavier sound really suits their live set up but I would like to see vocalist and guitarist Shim Moore throw himself around a little more and get down low and dirty if he wants to achieve rock god status, although the fans that are there really love him.

Sick Puppies. The band consists of vocalist and guitarist Shim Moore, bassist Emma Anzai and drummer Mark Goodwin (Simon Jay Price/Rockshot)

Sick Puppies. The band consists of vocalist and guitarist Shim Moore, bassist Emma Anzai and drummer Mark Goodwin (Simon Jay Price/Rockshot)

Sick Puppies covered the Foo Fighters and Rage Against The Machine. Overall a good but not a great show and ended with 2009’s You’re Going Down. On the other hand I expect the shortage of an audience did not really add to the atmosphere.

[photoshelter-gallery g_id=”G0000n3iXCdltYAY” g_name=”Sick-Puppies” f_show_caption=”t” f_show_slidenum=”t” img_title=”casc” pho_credit=”iptc” f_link=”t” f_enable_embed_btn=”t” f_send_to_friend_btn=”t” f_fullscreen=”t” f_show_watermark=”t” f_htmllinks=”t” f_mtrx=”t” fsvis=”f” width=”600″ height=”450″ f_constrain=”t” bgcolor=”#ffffff” bgtrans=”t” btype=”new” bcolor=”#CCCCCC” crop=”f” twoup=”t” trans=”flip” tbs=”4000″ f_ap=”t” linkdest=”c” f_topbar=”f” f_bbar=”f” f_bbarbig=”” f_smooth=”f” f_up=”f” target=”_self” ]

Photography and Review Simon Jay Price, 24th April 2014, The Garage.
Pictures cannot be used without written permission.

The Wildhearts @ O2 Academy Islington (Louise Phillips)

The Wildhearts vs. Meryl Streek Ignite London’s O2 Academy Islington

Tonight is The Wildhearts’ traditional December London show, a dual celebration of Christmas and Ginger Wildheart’s birthday — he turns 61 on 17th December. This year the festivities take place at North London’s O2 Academy Islington, with Meryl Streek as the sole support act.

Spike And The Gimme Gimmes @ O2 Forum Kentish Town (Nick Allan)

Here’s Another Cover: Spike And The Gimme Gimmes Turn Christmas Into A Punk Rock Singalong Riot

Spike And The Gimme Gimmes don’t just play shows – they turn rooms into shared experiences, where sweat, nostalgia, and punk energy collide at full volume. On this night, at London’s O2 Forum Kentish Town, that collision came wrapped in Christmas lights, tinsel, and unapologetic festive excess.

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club Spread Their Love To The Troxy

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club – the garage heroes who’ve ‘spread their love’ across the globe before selling out...
Drink The Sea @ Jazz Cafe (Adrian Hextall)

Drink The Sea Cast A Spell On London’s Jazz Café

London gets its first taste of Drink The Sea tonight, and it immediately feels like something special. Touring in...
Better Joy @ Hammersmith Apollo (Kalpesh Patel)

Better Joy’s Rise Continues As Manchester Indie-Pop Breakout Commands London’s Hammersmith Apollo

Better Joy’s upward momentum shows no sign of slowing as Bria Keely brings her shimmering indie-pop project to the vast stage of Hammersmith Apollo on 20th November 2025, opening for Amy Macdonald. It’s a landmark moment for the Manchester-based songwriter, whose journey from intimate rooms to arena-sized crowds has accelerated at remarkable speed over the past eighteen months.

Alabama 3 Inject A Hypo Full Of Love Into O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire

The enigma that is Alabama 3, the world’s only acid house country band, are the perfect strong finish to 2025. Holographic suits, raving to John Pine covers and even the AI resurrection of deceased co-founder Reverend D Wayne Love take second place to the overwhelming sense of joy in an eclectic community that’s coalesced around their charismatic music.

GUV (Victoria Prestes)

GUV Unveils Euphoric New Single ‘Warmer Than Gold’ Ahead of January Album Release

GUV has shared a new single, Warmer Than Gold, the latest offering from his forthcoming album of the same name, due...
Mumford & Sons @ The O2 (Kalpesh Patel)

Mumford & Sons Return Home Renewed And Reignited At The O2 Arena

Mumford & Sons often still conjure images of waistcoats, banjos and the folk revival that erupted in 2009, but...

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This

Share Thing