The Shower Scene gig

The Shower Scene

E.P. Launch gig

24/01/09

Eamonn Doran’s

Angela Macari O’Looney

Starting as an acoustic act, this band has evolved into a big sound which has attracted a huge following. Youthful vocals, lively rhythm and fire packed riffs, go to make up the exciting and appealing package that The Shower Scene have developed and honed. With lots of influences injected into their songs, they tend to take on sounds similar to many well known bands, of the same style such as Fall out Boy, Motion City Soundtrack, The Starting Line.

However, one taste of them on My Space put a smile on my face, when I was suffering from January Blues Thus, nothing could keep me from heading to the next gig in their diary.
I couldn’t resist a chance to hear that adrenaline-packed punch in lead singer Eoghan Handley’s voice. Along with gorgeous plucked guitar riffs especially in slower numbers, delectable harmonies and a manic beat for faster songs, this bunch of fun young men definitely have something!
So I arrived in a crowded Doran’s on a Saturday afternoon, confidant I wouldn’t be disappointed!

I had missed some of the first band’s set. But I got to hear a few of their songs. They were called Plagues.
Lead singer Paul, Robbie on bass, Rob on Drums and Dave on lead guitar, they are a metal/Rock band. They performed Intro, Eli Porter, Draper in the body of a Lawyer, There’s Daggers in men’s smiles, All I want for Christmas is a mullet, IX and Helen is Great 108.

Clashing cymbals, vocals that sound pretty much like an alien in a rage or someone possessed by the devil, complex discords bashed out on guitars and a sound that seems to physically reach its grizzly arm out to grab you by the throat, is how I’d describe the sound of Plagues!

Draper in the body of a Lawyer – This has the strangest beat, like a runaway train. A fabulous anger charged rap gushes from Paul, accompanied by explosive guitars. This number is a real awakening to the senses indeed!

Helen is great in 108 – This is slightly faster with a lead intro, the most amazing chords with heavy metallic riffs and a general feeling of mayhem that would almost strike fear into you!

Paul’s vocals are brilliant, with this grunge thing going on as he shouts out the rap chorus, with drums thundering and clashing about behind.

These are two of the interesting songs from the repertoire of Plagues. Alarming and aggressive, this band definitely would not be advised for the faint-hearted. I’d venture out to hear them again however. It takes a certain type of expertise to get a crowd going from the time you walk out onstage to your last note. I would say this bunch of guys has that for certain!

Onto band number two of the afternoon, Scuba Dice. These are like a breath of fresh air after the sinister ravings of the previous band. With Joe on lead vocals, Scanner on lead guitar, Liam on Bass and Daire on Drums, this band hail from the Southeast of Ireland.

They have a catchy sound and to date have recorded a self titled E.P. Influences include New Found Glory, Motion City Soundtrack, Fall Out Boy, Blink 182 and Greenday,. They have a new single out at the moment entitled Let Go. Scuba Dice are an unsigned act to watch out for. Their set list on Saturday consisted of ; Nothing’s Free, Just Dance, Let Go, Lost Art of Romance, Made, 16! Mandatory, Bitter Sweet and She Puts U Down.

I loved this band’s charisma but I found it difficult to focus on the performance with all the antics going on in the audience. The kids made a circle up the front and were playing this game of pushing each other into the middle. It was a little bit distracting.

Made

This song is fast moving with a lovely melody and a memorable and sweet chorus. The trickling guitar riffs, especially in the intro and behind the verse are delectable, with harmony very close and a cheeky little refrain in the chorus. I love the way there’s so much going on throughout this number. Joe has a great voice and a likeable personality too.

Just Dance

Distortion packed intro, lively beat and a fun chorus. Harmony and backing vocals in general were very impressive here. Lovely lush lead riffs throughout, choppy chords and Bass framing everything beautifully, this is a great song with a sweet melody and appealing lyrics!

Let it Go

The new single, this is a really catchy number and has the most delectable lead riff going on throughout. It’s extremely fast with a great melody and distortion laden guitars giving things a rock feel. The Chorus is the kind of cheeky, easy to remember style I like.
They had great stage presence and despite the manic behaviour all about, I was enjoying the gig so far.

Save Your Breath

This wonderful act from the U.K. began their part of the show with huge athletic leaps in the air. The drummer then belted out a loud tattoo to grab your attention! Professional and polished, they had the audience in the palm of their hand.
Their set went as follows;
X ry X almost died at a foam party
Holy Shit! Fortune teller miracle fish
Bin Laden saw your slogan shirt and now he’s got a rap career
You’ve got lizard blood
I only move away from the mic to breathe in
Not in the mood for a kiwi
Rhys – o and the legend of big phone
Your oven’s on fire

The first song X ry X almost died at a foam party changed beat midway through, which was nice and there was a very involved guitar solo, which was excellent!

With much energetic jumping about, they seemed to charge the already adrenaline packed audience even more. Webbo is the vocalist, Bobby – Drums, T.O. – Guitar/Vocals, Ben 33- Bass and Parslow – Guitar/Vocals. Webbo who has a lovely speaking voice introduced the band, thanking The Shower Scene for inviting them.

Holy Shit! Fortune teller miracle fish

I liked this number better than the first one, although it’s quite short. Fast bustling intro with lots of distortion used!
Melody catchy and a refrain rapped out behind the lead vocals added to the excitement. A tricky guitar riff and a brilliant solo really got a great response from the crowd. Webbo got everybody clapping and there was a slow down for a part of this enjoyable number. Despite the deafening noise all around me, I really could connect with this band somehow!

Bin Laden saw your slogan shirt and now he’s got a rap career

After a little bit of interaction with the audience, they continued with number three, which involved explosive drumming and lots of tempo changes. I particularly liked the way it went to an anthemic style beat in the middle and then built up into a choppy one. Webbo got the kids to sing a refrain ‘Never giving up’ along with him. This was a fun number and as this band’s set went on they seemed to improve.

About you Now - Sugababes cover

This number was by far my favourite of this set. They put a Punk twist to this song that in my book sounded ten times better than the original. I just love how Webbo stretches his vocals to the limit and performs the key change in this song so expertly.
I feel that I will have to see this talented band in a less junior environment. They ooze personality and I have to compliment Webbo on his bravery in diving into the circle of bodies up near the stage, which earlier had been causing mayhem with the pushing competition. This he done while singing the chorus of his final number ;Your oven’s on fire.

Home Star Runner

This band is no stranger to the music scene. Together since ’04 they are signed to Irish Indie label Blastspace since ’06. Their debut album Kill the Messenger was released late in ’06 and they’ve shared stages with Fall Out Boy, Paramore and heroes New Found Glory.
Sexy riffs, memorable melodies and a talented front man in Stephen Arkins are what give this act class. They took to the stage with cheers of approval from the audience!

Starting up with Machines which has a rock intro, distortion-charged and fast, they got a more than positive reaction from the mob. Some of the crowd flung themselves about a little too enthusiastically!

This song has lots of close harmony in the chorus and increases to a choppy beat as it develops. They got the crowd shouting out the words of the chorus which was fun. They continued their set with Red Alert.

This is a dance number and with the audience clapping along with the intro, bashing chords and fabulous riffs, the place was definitely in full party mode!

This song involved a catchy tempo change in the middle to a staccato beat.

I was enjoying this set so much that at this point I was tempted to jump off the only high stool in the place where I had taken refuge, to join in the mad pogoing and jumping about!

Instead I decided to just let the wonderful notes and lively beats wash over me and attempt to capture it on paper.

It looks to me like as the show went on, the bands got better and better.
Home Star Runner consists of four members; Stephen Arkins, Jason McTernon, Sean Reid and Anthony Kelly. They performed eight songs in all; Machines, Red Alert, Game Over, Untitled New Song, Joey Greco, Pulp Fiction, The Arsonist and Nocturnal.

I loved The Arsonist with its catchy riff and magic chorus, especially the harmony!

Nocturnal

The last song in the set was packed with revving riffs, explosive rhythm and a brilliant chorus.
Stephen invited the audience to really go insane for this one. Where had he been? They’d been exactly that from the get-go and needed little encouragement!
However, things got even more manic than before when this distortion packed number took off. Involving a lovely refrain sung behind lead vocals and delicious harmony, it was by far the best one and that alternating drum beat towards the end made this performance unforgettable!

The Shower Scene

I threw caution to the wind when the stars of the show arrived on-stage! Finding a perch right up the front, I decided that they warranted my full attention and I also wanted to feel more involved in the spirit of the gig, which was absolutely adrenaline charged for sure!
A cute Teddy Bear was dangling from the lead mike which was dressed identically to Eoghan, with the baseball cap tilted in exactly the same way. Apparently a gift from one of the fans, it also had a recording of the new song that played when you pressed its belly. What a great mascot!

As I took in my surroundings, I had to admire the certain Je ne sais quoi that kids emit at any big event. Clean-cut, with asymmetrical haircuts and those drainpipe jeans that tend to make anybody look like a caricature was the general look for the boys and the girls were all like little fashion models. A big drumbeat intro was belted out as the band came out!

They started with Smile for the Camera. This song is fast and lively, with a three four type of beat. There’s a line of the chorus ‘Get up, get up’ which the audience yelled out. Goc performed screaming lead guitar riffs and an impressive solo! The audience sang a whole chorus. The interaction with the crowd was instantaneous and I was glad I had moved closer to be involved.

Dance to Your Groove – This is another song where everyone seems to know the words and both band and audience raise the roof of Doran’s singing yet another sweet chorus, with plenty of distortion-packed riffs, manic drumbeats and a hammering baseline belted out too!

Band members are Eoghan Handley, Goc – Vocals/Guitar, Mikey – Bass and Al on drums. They did nine more songs; This is the call out, Romeo and Juliet, You ain't got this, Dictionary, Girls just wanna have fun – cover, In the Deep end, Notice me, Set the Night Alight and Dear Ashington.

This is the call out

The ‘Squeeze’ quality of this number is uncanny. I love it. It starts with the words ‘This is not a drive by shooting’. It has these slides and slants throughout and Eoghan’s vocals carry them off so well. What an exciting voice he has!
Harmonies are close! Riffs are fire packed and there’s a staccato bit in the middle that is pretty brilliant. There is just so much going on, that it’s hard to keep up with them.

Romeo and Juliet

The intro of this is choppy with a great trickling riff. Eoghan sings the verse, with this machine gun type rhythm played on guitars. Everyone sings the 'wo ohs' in the chorus with him. Guitars distortion packed and a cheerful beat, with lots of changes throughout and stops and starts. The melody line is catchy as in all this band’s songs and you can hear the sweet little riffs constantly there in the background.

You ain’t got this

Eoghan devoted this song to the fans that have been with them faithfully since they started out. This number starts with a bassy intro and gradually speeds up. It has exciting lead riffs, alternating beats and a catchy melody line.
Eoghan sings a line unaccompanied. Then the whole band joins in for one last bashing chorus.

Dictionary

This number involves lots of distortion throughout and has a lovely melody.

Girls just wanna have fun

A new slant on the original which is really enjoyable!
Despite the fact that this version of the classic is funny to hear performed by a hairy faced Eoghan, it involves some serious guitar playing. It’s really punked up beyond recognition!

They go straight into Notice me a really gorgeous number which is a slow love song performed reverently. Eoghan goes into falsetto and sings the difficult notes sweetly. The chorus is delectable. Bass does a lovely riff and for me it is the nicest song I’ve heard in a long time. The band stops at one point and the audience sing the refrain ‘You are everything’. This part of the show is pretty magical!

Set the Night Alight

After Goc thanked all for coming, they performed this fast and delicious number from the album. It starts with a distortion packed riff. I love the chorus and of course the wonderful harmony. They have a knack for choruses. It breaks into a choppy beat in the middle. Then the never ceasing bass is constantly giving the sound socks. My favourite fast number from The Shower Scene by far!

They of course got an encore and performed Dear Ashington which has a three four punk beat. Stops and starts are so tight and the effortless energy charged performance of this Punk song has everything. It’s just another of the happy upbeat songs that flow from the pens of this fab four.

Five bands, one mad crowd and outstanding music from start to finish will make this gig one I won’t forget too easily.
Well done to all bands, especially The Shower Scene.