The Button Factory - 31st March 2009

Gigsmart in association with The Button factory and Sound Training Cente

Stephen Banim

Photos by John Denby - http://www.gigsmartireland.com/deaddonkey

I know this goes without saying, but firstly Id have to thank Trev and Smog of Gigsmart Ireland for Putting together another great nights entertainment in conjunction with The STC, The Button Factory and of course all of the acts who played as well

I know an awful lot of work goes into putting the gigs together, and all of the people who do the work behind the scenes do deserve a pat on the back, and a metaphorical beer on me for all of their hard work and dedication in promoting the music scene in Dublin on a Grass Roots Level, which is what these nights are about, giving bands a chance to perform in the fantastic setting that is The Button Factory.

Now, having been asked to review the gig as It was pointed out on the night that I could string sentences together, I suppose I should get started!

MAIN STAGE

EL HOMBRE JOKES

The first act of the evening was a very interesting 4 piece called El Hombre Jokes, another band advertising how diverse these Gigsmart Shows can be, combining amazing vocal harmonies from the lads and blends of all sorts of music genres and styles.

They do seem to be a band who have worked out arrangements of their songs to the finest detail, one of the most dynamic bands I have seen in a long time... To go from full band to just acoustic guitar and back again is always something i enjoy in a band!

I'd like to be able too give examples of who I think they sound like, but they really were quite diverse sounding, elements of Gomez, the John Butler Trio, and even at times I thought Rodrigo & Gabriella esque guitar paying at times, blending little bits of country, jazz, funk and blues thrown in creating one of the most eclectic bands I

have ever seen, needless to say I did enjoy the bands set immensely, the drummer, even though he wasn't as lit up as the rest of the band couldn't help but escape my attention, giving a fantastically animated performance!

I can definitely say I would love to see them perform again. They wouldn't normally be my thing exactly, but the blend of the music they were playing, and the catchy little hooks and melodies I couldn't help but sing and hum along

http://www.gigsmartireland.com/el_hombre_jokes
http://www.myspace.com/elhombrejokes

ROMANOVS GOODBYE

Id like to mention firstly about this band, is that they were last minute replacements for Remove the Oxygen who sadly had to pull out due to sickness, but from the moment this band took to the stage the looked nothing short of prepared!

Their opening track featured dual vocals from Guitarist Derek and Lead Vocalist Rob, both of whom have very strong vocal abilities, an asset which maybe this band should use a bit more?

The band being a 5 piece comprised of 2 guitarists, bass, drums and then Rob on vocals do have a very defined sound, it is most definitely indie at heart, but at times with a heavier edge capturing a more heavier groove at times similar to that of the stoner rock bands like Kyuss and QOTSA, and when they list their influences as bands like Interpol, Joy Division, Bloc Party, Arcade Fire and Queens of The Stone Age it becomes easier to understand their sound, as they do seem to be taking a very broad blend of all of all these bands mixing it up a bit and creating a sound that is genuinely their own.

One thing about the band is that they do have very catchy songs, and they are very entertaining to watch even to the point that if the crowd wont come to the stage, the stage will come to the crowd as shown by the vocalist rob jumping off the stage at the very end and finishing the songs on the venue floor, I can imagine this band whipping up a storm in a smaller packed venue as they do command the stage they perform on.

Watching the band on stage they do exude confidence, as they did perform throughout their whole set, which is surprising as they are a band whom are only in their infancy whom you'd expect to be only finding their feet after forming in late 2008. Maybe they do require a tiny amount of work on guitar sounds and such maybe tighten up the screws a bit, but all the elements of a great band are present, after a few months they already have fantastic songs with strong melodies and hooks, two vocalists with great voices, a great drummer, who which is worth pointing out also played guitar (Ive never seen that before) there was very clever guitar interplay, I mean its all there, all in all they do look like they could be a phenomenal band and I would definitely sight them as ones to watch out for in the future.


http://www.myspace.com/romanovsgoodbye

ZOMBIE COPS

Admittedly when I heard the name I really had no Idea what this band would have been like!

It was only on the night i was informed that they were the band formerly known as Sedzor, whom having seen and enjoyed in the past I was excited about seeing the reincarnation that is Zombie Cops!

Describing themselves as a "Fierce" Rock quartet from Dublin really is something that they have every right to say as from the moment these guys took to the stage they really did demand attention. I honestly think this was the performance of the night, a fine example of "how to be a band" in my opinion, everything was perfect regarding the musicianship, great and constantly varying guitar sounds, a great drummer and bass player, and similarly enough to Romanovs Goodbye two vocalists who's harmonies were spectacular!

I was wondering what had happened Sedzor, it appears that they had re branded and disappeared into the depths of some rehearsal room perfecting everything possible about their set, the commanded the stage, had fantastic new songs,

I don't think I can offer any criticism about these lads be it constructive or otherwise, as I said earlier, they are a fine example of how to be a band, very clever dynamics, fantastic songs and melodies, they really made me want to pick up a guitar and better myself! Masters of their Craft I must say.

I know they are going to begin recording in the near future, I cant wait to hear more from this band, and I look forward to seeing them again!

www.gigsmartireland.com/Zombie_Cops

http://www.myspace.com/zombiecops

SIDE STAGE

Whilst the bands were swapping over between sets on the main stage, all focus was on the new addition to the Gigsmart Gigs which is the Side Stage which really came into its own on the night. Whoever thought of this idea is a genius, as it does keep momentum throughout the night.

JOHN DENBY

Now, Mr Denby is just about Gigsmarts Resident Photographer (and also taking photos this night ; Smog), but tonight we got too see his other talents.
It was a very interesting set I must say, comprised of old blues songs which he said is what he really grew up listening too, and admittedly something I myself have never really been exposed too, oddly enough mainly about trains.

I did enjoy the set tremendously, its really nice to have the differential between live band, then down to the most basic of musical forms, one man, and one guitar, which I thought John did fantastically, occasionally stopping to take a sip out of his pint which is always important!

CIARAN LENEHAN

Ciaran aka Joobs to Gigsmart Regulars took to the stage and gave one of the best performances I have seen yet on the Gigsmart Side Stage, playing a set of his own songs we did get a taste of how fantastic and unique he is.
Playing some oddly names numbers such as "One Trip Left" about a multi-trip bus ticket that was given to him with one journey left on it, and "Dandruff" which oddly enough wasn't about Dandruff at all (Or Head And Shoulders, the solution to dandruff)

I have to say, from watching his performance, I couldn't help but wonder why he wasn't performing on the Main Stage, as he had fantastic songs with humorous musings on every day life, again, I have to say anyone who can command such attention with just an acoustic and a voice always amazes me! It really does show the strength of ones songwriting abilities. Id really like to see another performance from this guy

I had a very enjoyable night, I know there is no pleasing everyone, but with line-ups as diverse and varied as on this night there should be something that everyone would enjoy! Which strikes me as one of the most important aspects of any gig. And it has been said before, Gigsmart is only as strong as the bands that get involved, and tonight was an example of 5 very different performers, put together in a big room to perform! All in all a fantastic evening

Erm..... Whens The Next one

All Photos by John Denby~ support you local photographers! Dont rip off their photos!! Please consult the photographer if you wish to use any of these elsewhere. A little respect is asked of here. gigsmartireland.com/Deaddonkey

As always anyone with input to community is welcome. Want to review a gig? Think you can do better? Get onto the forums and give Smog or Trev a shout ;-)

The Button Factory - Tuesday 27th January 2009

Gigsmart in association with The Button factory and Sound Training Cente

Sean Kavanagh