Angel Pier
Whelan’s 31/01/09
Angela Macari O’Looney
A hybrid of Radiohead meets Keane with a uniqueness of their own thrown into the cauldron, Angel Pier were one of the bands partaking in the Hard Working Class Heroes Festival last autumn. I first experienced this really inspiring band back then, when I ventured down to Meeting House Square and was drenched with the other poor suckers who like me, had been looking forward to an evening of open air rock.
The strains of Sprites, one of their sweeter songs, will always remind me of that night, when they echoed out across temple bar and left a special imprint on my heart. So, on receiving an invite to get a listen to their music in a drier venue, I headed to Whelan’s on Saturday January 31st, to hear their magical sound once again!
I arrived a little late and had missed The Ambience Affair, an Indie/ Acoustic band, who hail from Dublin and Meath and I was disappointed. They had done a fab set according to a friend who was there ahead of me. They performed Vacant Hearts, The Great Enchanted, I recoil, The CN Tower belongs to The Dead/ My Moon my man, Fragile things, Cheater.
A huge crowd were in attendance, which had caused a delay at the door but I was in plenty of time for the second band. Autoban.
Autoban are an Indie band fronted by a talented musician and singer, Darren Hardiman. On lead guitar is Orin Murphy, Bass/Vox Gary Delaney, and Craig O’Callaghan on Drums.
Their debut single Low tide was an enormous success and more recently they have released Sirens. Both were included in this entertaining set.
They started with Clocks which had a complex choppy intro, almost like a strange concerto. I enjoyed the stop start style of beat, the bass riff which was particularly noticeable and the seductive lilt in Darren’s vocals. He has a no-nonsense attitude. The general feeling I get with this band is that they have a certain Post-Punk quality, with a pleasantly playful punch to it!
Lions
This number with a gorgeous intro, reminds me a little of Billy Idol, with a cynicism in the lyrics and a sexiness in Darren’s portrayal of the story. The chorus is catchy and there’s this great line; ‘Laying’ there dressed in nothing’ but her freckles’ which I get a laugh out of!
He also performs a guitar solo himself which is captivating. This guy is quite sullen and uncommunicative with the audience, but I have to add that he is one brilliant musician and has a fab voice too!
Reiperban – This number has a heavier style intro. Orin does a sensational solo and riffs to die for!
Darren almost seems to caress each note he sings, totally letting himself go in this number, especially the delectable chorus.
Lowtide – They went straight from one song into the next here. Riffs once again sparkling and punchy! The melody in this song is so memorable and reminds me of another Irish band of the same genre; The Kinetics!
The cheekiness of this band and their obvious love for what they do, makes their music the kind you could listen to forever. Top marks too for Gary Delaney’s amazing bass!
They continued their set with Set me Alight, Sirens and Playing C.Ds.
Sirens - Darren eventually did a bit of interaction with the audience before this number, thanking Angel Pier for inviting them. I noticed that he holds his guitar up quite high, in a very sixties/seventies way. Whatever about that there’s no debating his guitar playing prowess. The riff in this number is for me the highlight of everything I heard from this band. Outstanding!
Autoban are definitely a band I believe I’ll see again. They have this quirky, mixed genre sound that is perfect. That and some very memorable songs!
Angel Pier
The theme from ‘2001, a Space Odyssey’ provided the dramatic backdrop, along with U.V. lighting as Darragh Nolan, Luke Paluch, Vinny Redmond and Mark Colbert took to the stage.
A full bashing intro followed for Scribbles. This band is three parts Irish to one part Canadian, which creates an extra pinch of spice to their overall sound. In this number there’s a tic-tock type of beat in the middle. Generally it’s a laid back song, although with powerful chords, appealing harmony splashed here and there and a catchy melody, it was enjoyable to hear.
Make
This has a quiet lead intro, and then it explodes into a big Anthemic burst of music. Bass is extremely busy and noticeable. This song for me shouts Keane!
Darragh’s light voice is clear, with the bassist and drummer singing effective backing vocals, one taking a lower octave with the lead vocal. This seems like a trait in their style which I like.
Belong
A soft romantic number, this has a mournful verse, picking up speed for the chorus. It has a catchy melody line, as have all of this interesting band’s songs. There is also a refreshing touch of harmony here. The charm and cheerfulness of the lads in this band, throws the lack of charm in other bands of today into relief. It’s a nice bonus when you get a smile, along with the inarguable musicianship that they posess.
2 A Minus
This is fast, with a bashing drumbeat, a refrain behind the lead vocals in the chorus and close harmony that sets off the whole sound. It is a really memorable number, which builds up to a big crescendo of sound, then finishes with a dramatic stop!
Pray
Melodic, anthemic with a Radiohead quality to it, this song has a magical riff framing the verse. Tricky notation throughout, it has a luscious melody line with lots of bass to give it socks.
There’s a pleasant flow to this number and the last verse is sung by Darragh unaccompanied. Then in the final chorus all the stops are pulled out and this sweet lament becomes a dramatic powerful crescendo. The professional way that Darragh has of interacting with the audience along with his disarming smile, effortless vocals and the feeling he puts into each line of a song wins his audience over.
Align the Seas
Like the previous numbers, this song has an anthemic style, with excellent riffs building up and changing pace to keep interest.
They continued with Skulls and X’s, a fast number with rippling riffs, sweet harmonies and that combination of Darragh doing high octave and backing vocals singing the melody in a lower octave. This is an admirable and soothing style. The major to minor chord combination in this number is particularly noticeable. I have to remark that it’s like a culmination of all the best ingredients that go into this band’s music. I am not surprised as I listen to this song, that they are so highly praised by top critics worldwide!
Sacrifice
Acoustic riff intro, building up to a bigger sound for the verse, this song is laid back. It is quite soothing, with the drummer performing lovely harmony behind Darragh. There is a samey quality at times in Angel Pier’s stuff. However, with loads going on in every number, gorgeous melodies and constant perfectly sung harmonies, you are lifted by each song as the night goes on. It makes you feel like you are getting a massage of the senses, with the entire heavenly notation flowing out!
Darragh thanked the audience and also paid tribute to the other bands and to Whelan’s which he remarked is his favourite venue. He got a big applause and then began the next number.
Bullet
Choppier than earlier songs, this would bring to mind ‘The Beatles’ song ‘I read the news today’. It has pleasant harmony, builds up to a heavy rock style and as the mood changes, strobes are added to lend drama!
Lead guitar does screaming riffs and a nice solo. All musicians lose themselves in this one as they let rip!
They performed an encore. I guessed they would since no Angel Pier gig would be complete without Sprites!
Balanced to perfection, choppy beat and a beautiful lead solo, this song surpassed my previous live experience of it. The drummer sings this gorgeous harmony, everything seems to come together like poetry and if there was a prize for one of the sweetest songs I’ve heard, it would have to go to this one.
It changes from a slow chorus to a choppy verse. Intricate riffs and a floating feel to it, give this number that extra memorable magic!
Joy Division, Radiohead, The Beatles, David Bowie and The Stone Roses are mentioned among Angel Pier's many influences, which doesn’t surprise me since there are definitely lots of snippets in their song writing that would be reminiscent of all.
However, I feel that they have a signature all their own, with enough spice to prevent their stuff being too samey. That upbeat personality that comes across, plus constant harmony, trickling sensual riffs throughout all songs and melody lines to die for, will prove them to be unique in a music scene that tends to almost become like a monotone of sounds.
Leaving Whelan’s I know I felt that I could have floated all the way home, I was so high and that is thanks to this very enjoyable band and a good gig!
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