The Dirty Nil

Despite the early hour, the energy was palpable for the Dirty Nil's short CMW set. With only a handful of tracks to their name, the power trio tossed in a bunch of covers, including Guided By Voices "A Salty Salute" and "Immigrant Song" by Led Zeppelin, which gives a pretty good indication of punk-tinged hard rock these guys are peddling. Playing through a giant Marshall amp, Luke Bentham led the charge, thrashing around on stage and even making a quick foray into the crowd while friends and peers watched on. There's no fat to trim with these guys: they are a lean, mean hard-rocking machine, who both embrace and mock rock'n'roll convention with equal fervour, culminating in their explosive single "Fuckin' Up Young."