The Kinetics
Academy 2
30/05/09
Angela Macari O’Looney
Explosive and vibrant, this Pop/Indie/Rock band captured my imagination way back in 2007 and I’ve been a big fan of their music since. So when I noticed a gig coming up in one of my regular haunts, I dropped all previous engagements to be there. I’m like a kid at a party when I’m around Gaz Harding and The Kinetics and to add to the evening, two other marvellous bands were performing the first two sets.
The Cades
Band number one of the evening are already very well known in Rock/ Indie/ Punk circles and started back in ‘07, when they thought it was time to reflect in song, their ‘mutual hate for reality and sobriety’, deciding to ‘bite back on the shit pit that is life!’
They have shared stages with names such as Republic of Loose, Rooney and The Enemy and performed in both Oxygen and Hard Working Class Heroes ‘08. Members are Brian Ashe – Vocals, Git Sweeney – Drums, Mark Maguire – Guitar, Aido Murphy – Bass.
Their first song Vacant eyes was very fast and lively. It had a gorgeous lead solo. With an extremely catchy melody, it was reminiscent of The Jam, a band I would have listened to a lot when they were prominent in the late 70s/early 80s. Brian who has grit in his voice, oozes charisma and performed this Punchy number with flair!
The next number Pardon my swagger had a cheerful beat and once again the vocals were good and clear. A little bit of harmony lent atmosphere along with superb chord combinations and trickling riffs infused.
I thought I heard flanger too and Aido’s subdued but essential baseline throughout, comfortably framed the picture.
Kinki Milinki – This had a delightful intro and an adorable melody line. Key changes and cute chord combos made this choppy song stand out from the rest, plus a fab guitar break. Put together a cocktail of The View, The Beatles, The Kinks, The Kooks, Arctic Monkeys and you might have an idea of the level of this band. And this was only the first set of the night!
They continued with a slower number called Just for a Day with melancholic lyrics. This song even though slow had vitality and spark in it.
Calling out her name was also a slower number but it had explosiveness about it just the same. The delicious riff between each verse is everything here plus the melody, which as in all of The Cade’s numbers is sweet and memorable!
Change Your Ways –This I can honestly say was for me the slinkiest, most delicious number. The way it slows down to emphasise ‘Change your ways, don’t let those good times get you down’ is really special.
Another choppy number with a foot stomping beat followed; Filthy Armada! Lots of ‘Wah wahs’ and fancy hi jinx on the guitar gave it spice. There was something jazzier about this song than the rest of the set.
A fast explosive number with dramatic choppy guitar chords, Borderline had a fab chorus which I thoroughly enjoyed. They did two further songs, making this a lengthy but fantastic set to get the night off to a start.
Sweet Jane
Rock/ Indie/ Psychedelic band Sweet Jane have appeared on everyone’s ‘Best of 2008’ and ‘Ones to watch out for’. They started off in 2007 and have toured the U.K. and Ireland extensively with names such as Glasvegas, Black Rebel Motorcycle club and The Kill and even appeared at London’s Metropolitan alongside a favourite band of mine; Fight Like Apes!
Lead guitarist Danda has a suave appearance and a delectable blonde semi solid guitar. Lydia Des Dolles who is the sweet in the mix and the lead singer, also plays guitar and percussion. Ruarie Paxton is the bassist, providing the necessary dirty sleazy baselines and last but not least on stix is Andy, unofficial member!
Debut 5-track demo ‘Blackboots Blackhearts’ was released in ’08 and the band are knee deep in demo recordings for their first album, to be released this year. Their music has attitude and sublime yet thundering tempos, to allure the audience into their spell!
Setlist was Bleed, Where’s your money gone, I’ve been waiting, Close Your Eyes, Heatbreak, Take Me Home, Outro.
Bleed This being the first song it was catchy with a cool riff. The lead guitarist took a verse and some harmony lent atmosphere. Debbie Harryesque moves and an evocative voice gave Lydia immediate power over all males present, but she has much more than just a pretty face!
Where’s Your Money Gone – Ethnic type of intro with bending notes, a big echoic stadium sound and seductiveness in Lydia’s delivery of the chorus. Danda sings the verse here. Very ‘Blondie’!
Close Your eyes – This is a strut style song, with sweet chord combinations throughout. Danda plays a succession of cascading riffs which is really nice. Lydia’s easy going aloof manner, adds to the mysterious, sexy melody lines in each song.
Black Eyes - Vibrating riff intro to this, with echo feedback going on. It has a choppy drum break and although I enjoyed it, I found Lydia’s vocals very muted!
Perhaps that is intended but it’s the one irritating glitch in the overall sound of Sweet Jane as a band.
Heartbreak – A sexy guitar intro takes you into this number which is probably the catchiest of Sweet Jane’s stuff. It’s moody, with backing vocals done by Danda. The melody line is a tad repetitive, but the crowd were lapping it up at Academy 2 and I loved Lydia’s gyrating moves and general cheekiness!
Take me Home has a strange quirky riff intro, which continues throughout the verse. Danda performs this and then Lydia comes in for the chorus.
I like the idea of Ireland’s answer to Blondie and this band are pretty close. Yet they have their own unique style and are sure to continue to be in demand, with such a charming front woman. I’d like however, to see them doing something less moody and more explosive occasionally, to break the ‘sameness’ of the mood!
The Kinetiks
I felt an aura of anticipation as tiny ultraviolet lights illuminated the stage. When the lights went down for the band to come on there was a lovely theatrical glow onstage and the crowd had multiplied despite the hot evening outside!
Gaz at the helm who is also a fine guitarist, Sean Brennan on Lead guitar, Paul Donohue on drums and smoking Jim McGuire on bass, the boys took to the stage to a warm welcome from the small crowd. A hot night in the smaller Academy venue couldn’t keep the true fans away!
They began their set with Thunder or Lightning.This has a dramatic intro, Sean’s fender coming in with distortion to rev things up. Splash style chords create sharp, choppy rhythm. Minor chords and sweet notes expertly played on guitar created a sense of excitement.
All I want is You – Slow, loud and f...ing amazing!
Guitar riff delectable and generally lots of fire injected by all guitars and this exciting song comes to a sharp sudden stop!
Aye Aye Aye was fourth and is the theme song from their recently released E.P. This is a gorgeous number and immediately I felt that this band have taken a giant leap forward in their development since I last saw them live almost two years ago!
Decisions – Cheeky, bassy build-up with yet another catchy riff and machine gun rhythmic chords in true Kinetiks style!
Verse dramatic and as Gaz sings, this the beautiful riff continues behind, with hammering distortion packed chords and rhythmic bass as both Jim and Sean give it their all. Of course where would any of this band’s excellent music be without the talented and charming drummer Paul?!
Bite The Bullet – I was thrilled to hear this number which I know by heart. Lots of the audience sang along, so it’s obviously everyone’s favourite Kinetiks oldie.
Smart ass and loaded with fabulous thumping beats, screaming riffs and hooks, choppy chords and a brilliant key change for the middle eight. Then there’s the dramatic slow down for Say what you mean and you mean what you say. Your face is just like a car crash, I cannot look away.
That sarcasm and totally arrogant attitude is the essential ingredient that makes these lads so irresistible!
The lead solo in this song for me is the best in all of their numbers. It involves sliding riffs and is like poetry in motion. All guitars seem to be in full force here.
She’s a Lady had plucked guitar riffs and a sweet melody and I hope you never change had lovely backing vocals in it sung by Paul (drums) and Jim (bass).
Lightbulb has a lovely lead intro, a really catchy melody. Gaz bursts in with the chorus and everything then comes to a sudden stop!
Choppy verse with fire packed bass and beats, Sean doing lots on lead in the background. This short but sweet number comes to a sharp finish.
Tell her Husband has an exotic tempo, poignant lyrics and wonderful screeching guitar throughout. The place was really hopping now and the entertaining thing about this is how well the melody line and beat suit the lyrics, which are like a scene from a soap opera.
Did I or did you - What I love about this song is how it starts off really slowly, with Gaz singing in falsetto. But all of a sudden the trickling sweetness bursts into a fast, punchy number. The rhythm in this song is everything, with stop/ start chords and a mysterious sounding bass solo, followed by a short lead solo. In the last chorus haunting ‘Ahs’ behind Gaz, helping build things up beautifully. Of their new stuff, this is my favourite because of the melody and how well Gaz sings it!
The last song but not the least was yet another oldie; A smile crack’d your face!
This number was on High Horse Olympics and one I love to play while driving long distances, but it can tempt me to break the speed limit.
Lots of ‘oh oh ohs’ and hammering beats, catchy chord combinations and those stop/ start type goings on throughout add to its charm. This will always be the song that defines this band for me. Easy to sing along to, cheeky with a screaming lead solo and a memorable riff taking it up to the final line Don’t you comment on what I do, cause I say nothing, I say nothing to you!
The Kinetiks have been one very busy band, having performed at Oxygen, Indie- Pendence and La Cheile festivals, along with support slots for Scouting for Girls, The Enemy, Delorentos and The Flaws.
They’ve had regular airplay on Today FM and 2 FM, recorded their newest E.P. ‘Aye, Aye, Aye’ at Grouse Lodge Studios, Suite and Sun Studios in ’08 and have been described by those in the know as ‘Confident, charming, giddy and energetic’!
With this I agree and after the delightful gig at Academy 2, I can well understand their success to date. Well done to all three acts for one truly memorable night.
