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Friday, 3rd September 2010

Shining example

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Published Date: 11 March 2009
IMAGINE, if you will, four 14 year olds getting together in their garage to make music. Let's face facts, at that stage nobody will be getting too excited.
Now imagine that those four are now 18 years old, still plugging their trade, gathering a steady stream of gigs and moving on to the next level with a fair degree of well-earned optimism.

Imagine that Glasgowbury liked what they heard and brought them in for a G Session. What would you expect to hear?

Well, despite what roads expectations may sometimes lead us down, the reality is always different. In terms of Gascan Ruckus, four 18 somethings from Middletown, Armagh that reality was one very pleasurable smack in the face.

Despite little prior knowledge, the Ruckus thrilled us, shocked us and left us wanting so much more.

We expected a young band with some signs of early promise, what we got was a band young in looks but with a maturity and expertise miles beyond their years.

Taking to the stage like it was a regular occurence, Ruckus's old school vibes have joined forces with all that's good about modern rock, and the creation is something uniquely fresh and exciting.

Fresh faced leader Michael is eager to take his charges on a voyage of discovery, one that doesn't stop until the band have everyone converted and with the thriving energy of Bad Position, a thumping stuck in a rut type tune, that conversion is swift.

Tighter than a virgin's underwear, Ruckus' playmaking alone is reason enough to take notice and ploughing through the curiously titled Scummy Ho they reaffirm that promise before showing off their skills with a perfected cover of Bullet In The Head.

The only problem with Ruckus' set is that it's not long enough. But with a renewed public interest in their sub-genre, we know that we'll be seeing a lot more of them very soon indeed.

Dutch Schultz on the other hand are seasoned pros and this is a set which radically reaffirms that assumption.

Like something fresh off the factory floor, Schultz's thick sexy sound does exactly what it says on the tin. It's no frills rock and roll the way it was meant to be played and the way it was meant to be heard.

And in the comfort of the blacked out stage, the trio of beasts roam within their cave, presenting an other-worldly bubble within which they reign king.

The songs too are huge, multi-layered creatures which allow Dutch Schultz to add a touch of trademark sleaze to their near grunge rock prowess.

It Bends In The Middle alone is proof of their wide reaching appeal, from humble beginnings rising to one of the most memorable, hook laden songs you might hear for a long time.

L.A. Cu*tfu*ker is a slice of fun, and one they clearly enjoy performing, and it's the performance the band clearly relish.

Jailbreak is the new and last song, and Dutch Schultz end in a flurry of noise and wonder taking us on a journey not too far from home, but a journey we haven't been on in a while.

By now the small venue has been packed to its rafters - apparently word has got out that Jaded Sun are in town. And we all know what that means.

One of the most exciting bands to come out of the new wave Ireland revolution, the Sun, as we've said many times before, put on a show like no other.

It's their second G Session of late, and for good reason. For here is a band so tightly walking the line between greatness and legend that a fall either side would still work in their favour.

Maher as a front man is the main asset but were it not for cool headed, every day lead guitar-ness of Gosker, his lyrics would no doubt fall on deaf ears.

Slowing only once for the beautiful Crave, the rest of the time Jaded Sun are sweating buckets and easily packing the dance floor with their sexy, soulful stylings.

Hey You, Cant Stop and new song Whisky Drinker finds them at the top of their game once more, the latter a fine example of how a good band can pull it off with little practice.

A cover of Stay With Me starts the encore, without which a stampede backstage may have incurred, while the big guns of Do It Again end the gig proper in a blaze of Jaded Sun glory calling to mind the glorious hey day of music.

A hey day reborn if tonight's acts have anything to say about it.

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  • Last Updated: 11 March 2009 11:59 AM
  • Source: n/a
  • Location: Cookstown
 
 
 


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