Jaded Sun
Whiskey Drinker E.P. Launch gig
The Workman’s Club
28/10/10
Angela Macari O’Looney
Jaded Sun were performing their only 2010 Dublin gig, to celebrate the launch of their newest E.P. Whiskey Drinker. Having had enormous success with their debut album Gypsy Trip, this band who are possibly the most popular classic rock act around, have built up a large fan base and seem to have a pied piper effect on a cross section of age groups. Jaded could be described as a mixture of Aerosmith, Creedence Clearwater revival, rolled in with AC/DC.
Along with the rest of the band’s devotees I arrived at one of Dublin’s new rock venues, to hear their latest songs and a few of my old favourites too.
Formed back in 2003, the lads have had an exciting journey to date, with their first E.P. Raw released in 04, Falling on the Fears in 05 and Gypsy Trip in 07. They have also played a plethora of gigs, including performing support to Bon Jovi and Nickelback in Croke Park.
Jaded Sun’s members include Ireland’s finest rock voice John Maher, Eorrann Stafford and Sean Gosker, both superior guitarists. Bass is played by Damien Kelly, who adds that special Je ne sais quoi to each number and relatively new to the band is a drummer who is young and oh so charming; Aaron Madden.
The Danger Is
Niamh from this band performed the first set on her own, with just her guitar for accompaniment. Opening up with Behind your walls, she created a big sound and her vocals reminded me of KT Tunstall, with a touch of Cathy Davy’s jazziness and Imelda May’s seductiveness.
Her guitar chords were sublime throughout this vibrant and interesting set. She performed another song called All for Gold, which has a catchy melody line. Niamh also performed a fast rolling number called We stand Parallel.
Thanking Jaded Sun, Niamh apologised for the absence of the rest of her band. Under difficult circumstances, she did a wonderful job.
El Hombre Jokes
The next band were unusual, with mainly instrumentals in their set. Their sound has funk/ Rock/ jazz leanings, with superb chord combinations and exciting lead guitar throughout each number.
Members are Paul-Vocals/Guitar/Bass, Ian-Bass/Guitar/Vocals and Paul-Drums/Percussion/Guitar.
Throughout 2010 they have been busy touring the country with their upbeat music, releasing singles and enjoying their success. 2011 looks set to be exciting for them, with their debut album due for release.
D Funk was their first number and an exciting instrumental. A vibrant bass solo features in this, with appealing chord combinations complimenting each riff.
Lita Believes was a foot stomping number, with elaborate guitar riffs and busy baseline. One twin riff in particular took my attention and made this song for me.
Paul thanked Jaded Sun, explaining that he and the lads were big fans and felt proud to be here sharing the stage with them.
In Just don’t get along there was some unbelievable virtuoso standard lead, but the bassist also totally shone with his performance. Paul on drums sang backing vocals and I really enjoyed the big sound that resulted.
Vitamin C involved two guitars sharing the limelight. Explosive and really entertaining, this piece was like a complex concerto, with both instruments doing differing notes and combining them.
Suicide Bomber has a catchy chorus and was refreshingly different to the previous heavier stuff. The harmony is excellent here, with a show stopping baseline throughout the whole song. Paul on drums performed a fab solo too, and some wonderful breaks here and there and guitar riffs were delicious.
For the next song Brothers and Sisters, Paul asked the audience to participate. This has a slap style bass intro, with a bluegrass feel to it. It has an interesting beat which alternates and a couple of jazzy discords that I loved. With an exquisite key change and an outstanding guitar solo, this went down very well with the audience, who sang out with the chorus as instructed.
Wake up which was released as a single and is on their forthcoming album, has amazing riffs throughout and is a more Pop/Rock song. Both guitarists sang here and the twin riff they did was magical.
Jaded Sun
Finally the suspense was over as John, Sean, Eorrann and Aaron took their places on stage. The audience moved closer and the atmosphere instantly changed, when the intro to Fire resounded across The Workman’s club!
This song from the new album is powerful, with lots of distortion on the guitars, sliders to add a touch of blues and harmony for the chorus delectable. Damien and Eorann did backing vocals here, with Sean performing a superb guitar solo to add to this incredibly dramatic number.
Higher from the album Gypsy trip was next, with it’s screaming riffs and hooks and elaborate lead. This new improved version was more powerful than ever, with Eorann doing a scorching lead solo. Sean followed with yet another solo, stealing the show with his expert fretwork that is the defining Jaded Sun stamp for me and of course Damien’s baseline framing the picture perfectly.
John Maher as always set the place on fire with his energy and charm, as he belted out this exhilarating song with full force!
Sweet Mary – This is slow and seductive, with a memorable chorus complete with key change. It involves a twin guitar intro and Gosker did a totally fab solo, with Stafford matching his efforts with flange packed riffs throughout to add definition. I love the melody of this number, which has splashes of harmony and finishes with distortion laden twin guitar notes.
I then heard the intro of my absolute favourite Jaded Sun song. Fab Rock chords heralded the slinky verse for Can’t stop and then things sped up for the wonderful chorus with it’s outstanding and memorable guitar riffs and hooks, that are played in synch by all three guitars making a big sound. The lead solo is so excellent. It slows down for the middle eight to pick up again for the last chorus. I sang out with John for this and so did everyone in the place.
I met a wonderful couple from Northern Ireland just before the gig began and enjoyed listening to stories about their devotion for Jaded Sun. They had travelled all the way from White Head in Belfast. Janet has been to every one of their gigs here and even saw them on several occasions abroad. She was beside me for the entire gig and it was brilliant knowing I wasn’t the only slightly older rocker that enjoyed this top class band.
They continued with Left in a hurry which is a soulful number, with a good old fashioned Rock’n’Roll beat. Then they did the new version of Crave.John gives it all in this, as he pours out each line with passion. Both Sean and Eorann injected sweet riffs throughout.
Sean performed the heart wrenching solo, while big bashing drama soaked chords and harmony gave this gorgeous song new life!
Breakdown Easy – This is from the new E.P. and involves beautiful ascending chords in the chorus as John sings the line I breakdown easy and a truly exceptional melody line. John can seem kind of vulnerable as he performs these slow numbers, where his vocals adapt to the thoughtful mood. This is definitely their nicest slow song for me. There’s a surprising key change for the sung middle eight and some divine harmony is performed by Damien and Eorann. Lead solo is astounding. Aaron fits in like a hand in a glove and Jaded Sun are better than ever tonight!
Running down a dream(cover) – Damien performs the chorus with John in this fast moving upbeat song. John oozes energy as he dances about barefoot and his adrenaline communicates itself to everyone in the place. Eorann does a scorching solo, letting loose and reminding the audience that Jaded Sun have three equally brilliant guitarists.
The dirty, sleazy intro to Hey You began, with its elaborate guitar riff. Bass is very noticeable in this number, as are the funky blues-charged chords. Sean’s guitar speaks volumes, John belting out the seductive vocals. Eorann performed harmonica and a big dramatic drum roll took things to a close.
When the Sun Shines from the album that’s due for release next year was next. An intro involving flanger takes you into this deliriously sweet song, with Sean’s slider creating delicious riffs as it slides across the frets. It has a simple rock beat and is definitely a classic in the making!
They did this fantastic number that’s a cross between Punk and Rock’n’Roll, with a really fast beat and upbeat lyrics such as Stay home if you can’t take the pace. This is the general message in 24 Hour party people sing.
With a thumping beat and Cajun style riff She’s got Class was the 'supposed' last song of the evening. Eorann plays the slinky intro, with both he and Sean sharing the rest of the sexy guitar bits. Aaron thumps out a foot stomping rhythm, Bass of course is brilliant, with Damo sharing some of the riffs with the other two and he also does a few fancy riffs himself. Those distortion packed guitars just seem to come alive!
This number has that seductive aura about it, as John sings out those gorgeous words that make the hairs stand up on my neck; Gimme some of that sweet wine, I promise you we’ll have a good time. A little loving and a new high!
After the lads left the stage, the crowd screamed out for an encore. I hoped they’d do Positive if they came back.
Positive
I was delighted when I heard the explosive chord intro for this brilliant number from Gypsy Trip. An air guitarists dream, this song has a fast rock beat with bass featuring big time, guitar riffs and hooks amazing and of course the hair raising solo. The two guitars do the middle eight, which involves sustained notes and then they seem to build up to a big distortion packed crescendo for the final chorus. Sean totally rocks it up with his lead guitar solo and you just feel the positive vibes come from the stage, only short of smoke coming out of each guitar!
Whiskey Drinker
The title track from the new E.P., this song is fun, with guitars playing in synch for the catchy chorus. The verse is done in a foot stomping tempo and lead is elaborate and trickling. It’s a perfect number to finish a gig with, as the guitars are cheeky and lead is great with Sean’s fingers flying across his guitar frets. John belts each line out as if his life depended on it and there’s a stop start finish that’s absolutely perfect.
I like the way that Jaded Sun seem to save all their energy to provide the Dublin punters with a full on, no holds barred rave up each year. You are always guaranteed to go home with a big smile on your face and an adrenaline rush that lasts a week. I said goodbye to Janet and James and hope to meet up with them again next year for the album launch. If this is only a taste of what’s to come, it should be one excellent gig!
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