What happened at Sooki Lounge in Belgrave on Sunday, 22 June, was far from your average Sunday session – it was a loud, energetic ride through the heart of punk and post-punk.
A full crowd packed in to see two Melbourne tribute bands, Atomic: The Songs of Blondie and Black Market Clash – pay tribute to Blondie and The Clash.
These two legendary bands may have come from different sides of the world, but they shared the same bold, boundary-pushing attitude – and that spirit was alive and loud on the night.
Atomic: The Songs of Blondie and Black Market Clash brought the spirit of two era-defining bands to life in a powerhouse double set that crossed continents, generations, and genres.
One punter said it best, “the best fifty bucks I’ve spent in 30 years.”
Doors opened at 4pm, and by 4.30, Atomic had kicked off a tightly packed, high-energy 18-song set.
Front and centre was Anthea Palmer, whose stage presence was nothing short of electric – she didn’t just sing Blondie’s songs, she lived them. Every step, strut and sneer felt natural, like this music had been a part of her for years.
From big hits like One Way or Another, Heart of Glass and Call Me, to deeper album cuts and even a breakneck punk version of Ring of Fire, Atomic kept the crowd moving, singing and smiling.
There were no backing tracks, no bells and whistles, just a seriously tight band made up of seasoned players: Stu Thomas on bass, Mike Dupp on keys, Garry Allen on guitar, and Victor Stranges on drums.
“This isn’t nostalgia,” Mr Stranges said later.
“This is music we’ve lived with for 40, nearly 50 years. We didn’t just learn it off a playlist, we were there when it came out. It’s in our blood.”
After a short break and a quick change of gear, the mood shifted as Black Market Clash took the stage. While a few of the players were the same, the energy changed completely. This wasn’t Blondie’s disco-tinged punk anymore, this was The Clash: political, urgent, and proudly rough around the edges.
The band tore through 19 songs in 90 minutes, Clampdown, Janie Jones, Train in Vain, Lost in the Supermarket, each one delivered with grit and heart.
Vocals were shared between Mr Stranges, Mr Thomas and Mr Allen, with Gian Cannizzaro locking down the rhythm on drums. The performance had its own raw drive, tight without being too polished, just the way this music should be.
A standout moment came during Bankrobber, when a father and son, strangers to the band but clearly bonded by the music, rushed to the front and shouted every word, fists in the air, completely locked in with each other.
“It was a powerful moment,” Mr Stranges said.
“That connection, between them, and with us, you can’t plan for that.”
Mr Dupp’s keys added serious depth, recreating studio textures live, without a single sequence or sample in sight.
Two blokes who’d seen The Clash back in 1977 came up afterwards, full of praise for the band’s attention to detail and how true the sound felt.
“That kind of feedback means a lot,” Mr Stranges said.
“We’re not trying to be The Clash, we just want to honour what made them so powerful.”
As the last chords rang out just before 8pm, the night was far from over. The crowd stuck around, dancing, chatting and grabbing photos with the band.
Ms Palmer was quickly surrounded by punters wanting to say thanks, while the room buzzed with conversations and shared memories.
Sooki Lounge once again showed why it’s one of Victoria’s most loved live music venues, warm lighting, cracking sound, and an atmosphere that just makes you want to stick around. On a day when Belgrave was already alive with markets and music, this show felt like the perfect high point.
“Some of us picked up our instruments because of this music,” Mr Stranges said.
“When I looked out into the crowd, I didn’t see a bunch of 50 or 60-year-olds. I saw teenagers in older bodies. singing, dancing, and reliving something that’s clearly still alive inside them.”
“Because this night wasn’t just about the songs. It was about the stories, the memories, and the community. Music that shaped lives and in Belgrave, it’s still going strong.”
