The Lonely Schizo's last gig

The Lonely Schizophrenic’s Last Gig

Bleeker Street Café bar

01/10/11

Angela Macari O’Looney

In this conveniently situated venue, I enjoyed one of the most memorable gigs I’ve ever experienced. It was the last gig to be headlined by this popular quintet. Among the members of the audience were many familiar faces from the small but friendly world of Irish signed and unsigned musicians, singers and gig goers; Faces who have been regulars in Bruxelles Zodiac Sessions, or other such interesting venues around Dublin.

Starting off the evening, Ciara Ashmore performed the first set. Ciara has a vocal style reminiscent of Cranberries lead vocalist, Delores O’Riordan. At times her material would also bring to mind KT Tunstall, with lots of plucky guitar riffs and funky alt/folk chord combinations.

Ciara began her set with a slow trickling intro which took us into Wait. I love her descriptions and how she captures that special moment when two people connect and although in a crowd, they only see each other! Her range is amazing as she caresses each phrase and note with her voice.

Her second number was Magic. This was another very soothing piece, with imaginative guitar throughout and a three four tempo. It’s a love song with sweet lyrics; I’d marry you tomorrow and it would be magic.

After Ciara’s set, Keith O’Brien and the Floppy Disc drives took to the stage. They performed a combination of originals and covers. From Glasnevin, Dublin, Keith studied at Ballyfermot school of Rock. He has built up quite a following, has had airplay on 2FM and FM104, and has gigged in top venues around the City.

His debut album was released last year and his influences include Mundy, Bob Dylan, Declan O’Rourke and Damien Rice.

David Doyle’s Cello lent tremendous atmosphere to each number. Also Liam O’Reilly- bass and Aidan Smyth- lead accompanied Keith as he played acoustic guitar.

Keith has an appealing vocal style a little like David Gray or Paddy Casey. However I feel he has his own distinctive sound. He performed wasn’t that okay, Tick tock, Wasted time, open your eyes, and Summer nights.

Open your eyes is a love song with a slow three four beat. It’s laid back and the chorus is particularly sweet.

Wasted time is a soulful song where Cello creates a fab backdrop to Keith’s softly sung, romantic lyrics.

Summer nights is also romantic and the picture of long warm Summer evenings was cheering on a windy October night.

He performed an encore and chose With or without you (U2) . This number suits Keith’s vocals and it went down well with the growing audience!

Grace Wilde

Next onstage was a very exciting act. Audrey Fay has a truly powerful voice and excellent guitar playing style. She’s joined by guitarist Enda Duffy, and captures the audience’s attention with her passion and power.

Black ‘n’ blue was their first number, with choppy sensual chords. The bewitching hour involved a wonderful lead solo and the use of slider, which added seductiveness. This act evolved from Dublin Band Cream Carousel. Fay and Duffy made the decision to change direction with their style of music. This involved adapting to a more acoustic based sound instead of electric. The raw, authentic edge that this change of direction has given them is very evident in each number. I found their set very captivating!

Bring me to my knees involved further amazing lead performed by Enda Duffy, with Fay’s own guitar talent proving her undeniable show stopping charisma.

Next was an MJ cover and a very popular choice with the punters; Billy Jean.

This was a jazzed up version, but somehow Fay nailed it so well that I was riveted to the spot. They did two more numbers; Breathing and Grace. Grace is a wonderful fast moving rock song, with a delicious melody line. Chord combinations are catchy too, so it made a fab finale for this unforgettable duo!

The Guilty Folks

This act comprises Aidan Comerford and Sarah Williams. They perform comedy/parody style songs, with Aidan playing acoustic guitar. I found their material really musical and quite appealing, despite the blue content! They started with a song about the difficulties related to sex during pregnancy; Can’t get you in trouble again. The lyrics were hilarious. I found that Sarah’s harmonies were so precise, that I was more entertained by the musical side of what they had to say.

Hate Sex was their second number. Very melodious yet again, this had the punters falling about the place laughing. Harmony was close and the melody line candy sweet!

Just don’t ask was probably my own personal favourite from their set. This was a song that inspired singing along with the chorus. They had the audience firmly in their grip and they went on with Penelope, which had a very funny line; She’s like a walking industrial accident!

They performed a number called Love locked where Aidan plays Ukulele and they share a mike. OTT is the only description I have for this one. Their preoccupation with sexually explicit lyrics gets a teensy bit tedious, but it doesn’t stop them from being a thoroughly enjoyable act! They finished their set with a tribute to the audience; AWLF(An audience we’d like to f…k).

The Shallow waters

Two pretty girls performed a tribute song especially for The Lonely Schizo’s last gig. It was Goodbye my Lover(James Blunt cover).

Sinead Smyth

This young lady is a superb vocalist and musician and I remember her from The Zodiac Sessions. Her set was short and sweet, but I could listen to her forever!

The Lonely Schizophrenic

After a short interval, the main feature of the night made a perfect entrance!

Each member of the band took his place onstage except for the lead vocalist Anto Kane. Then, down the stairs he made his dramatic descent attired in full Star Wars Storm Trooper regalia. This was brilliance and had the desired element of surprise for the audience.

Anto in true Lonely Schizo style began with I miss me Da from the band’s debut EP. Everyone sang the chorus with him Rent a daddy dot com, rent a daddy do, rent a daddy dot com/ He will love you.

Andy Delamere-Lead guitar donned a hawk-like mask.Another member of the band wore a gas mask. And the party continued with another hilarious acoustic number called Crab People. The rap part of this song is done in true Schizo style and the chorus requires audience participation. I love Anto’s crab like dance for this.

Panda Porn

Next was another of the band’s fun songs about a documentary that was on TV about promoting mating between Pandas. A seductive beat accompanies Anto, who raps out the lyrics with style. The audience sang out the chorus and on went the party! The Maid of Cabra West, Aggrevated Affection andLivin’ in a Box(about a popular RTE puppet called Bosco) followed. Although the lyrics in their songs are comic, the chords and melody lines in the choruses are all really catchy and each member of the band is an excellent musician in his own right.

They did Itchy, which is yet another shockingly explicit number and finally they finished with my own favourite Schizo song Rest in Pieces, which is the story about a cat that got run over on the road.

There was a call for an encore of course, so we were treated to an alternative version of Rent a daddy /(I miss me Da). This was a great choice and it gave everyone at this brilliant gig a last chance to sing along with the adorable Anto Kane in his crazy get up. It was a great finish to a fantastically entertaining evening and I know that it’s not the last we’ll see of Anto, Andy, Vladmir Pavlov-Bass, Rama Block –Percussion and Aidan Smyth-Lead guitar!