Limelight 2, Belfast
Wednesday, 18th September 2013
As the ruckus of Freshers week awaits Belfast, Shizznigh Promotions first class of term features a collection of acts who are used to keeping the neighbours up all night.
A man with thick rimmed glasses and chunky knitwear has climbed one of the venue’s pillars, refusing to come down. No, it’s not a protester angry with the end of summer, it’s Belfast MC BeeMickSee. His partner in crime, Paul Denver reveals that Bee will not start the show until those in attendance make their way to the front of the stage. Luckily the crowd oblige before Bee’s arms give in.
The dynamic rapping duo bounce around the venue, awkwardly cosying up between couples and dragging innocent bye-standers into a rave circle. It edges towards being more about the comedy than the music, but it’s a whole load of fun.
Some tunes have their catchy moments, but few live up to the stellar rhythmic pop sensibilities of ‘Hey Girl’. Already a cult local performer, the set could be taken to another level with a full band behind it, but in it’s current form, BeeMickSee’s show would still light up anyone’s night.
Next up is a completely more murky proposition. Making their Belfast debut are Skeletons, More Than Conquerors’ new hardcore punk side project. The group features all the members of the aforementioned band in their usual roles (Axis Of’s Ethan Harman deputising behind the kit), with Alan Duddy providing an extra pair of lungs to belt out high pitched screams. Chugging drum beats and shotgun guitars swirl into a dense sludgy noise. Their unrelenting blasts an artillery strike on the ears.
Duddy revels in his role as ring master, stirring the crowd into moshing and growling dark choruses into the abyss. ‘Sleepless In Seattle’ and ‘Boxing Glove’ jump out as the most memorable tracks, but the entire set is spectacular. So much that the odd loose nut and bolt are breezed over. Catch them live while you can. Skeletons time above ground looks set to be limited.
Taking the long drive up from Cork to play in Belfast are four-piece Former Monarchs. They’re a Math-rock outfit who mix in elements of indie. It’s And So I Watch You From Afar with tints of Cast Of Cheers. Choppy rhythms and overlapping harmonies take twists and turns throughout their set, but the punters aren’t there to take it in. It’s the previous band who do the damage, exhausted from the fracas caused by Skeletons, most are taking a breather outside to rest their eardrums. The band soldier on resolutely, but the atmosphere has been drained away.
Wrapping up the night are long time students of rocky distortion, The Rupture Dogs. Thick, aggressive guitars and husky vocals blend together into a cohesive heavy sound. New track ‘Throw Your Heart Into It’ is an excellent mix of ferocity and infectious riffs.
Recently showing off its powers in a music video, the bassist's hair is a weapon of epic windmilling might. ‘Wake Up’ sees more than one head of hair being flung around the place as it thunders through the speakers. It’s got a focussed intensity with extra vocal bite, fresh hard rock with melodic hooks.
Frontman Allan McGreevy channels a raw energy which Dave Grohl would be proud of. In fact, the whole performance sounds like Foo Fighters running on crude old. It’s grungy, it’s scuzzy, but most importantly it’s loud! On this showing upcoming album ‘Feral’ has all the signs of the next “must have” Irish rock LP.
Peter Cinnamond
