Stop Stop Start Again / Mohican Jack - live @ Atlantic Lounge, Portrush, 26/04/14
Two of Belfast's finest r'n'r bands took a wee trip to the north coast for a gig at the Atlantic Lounge, Portrush on 26 April and I was lucky enough to to be on hand to catch the show. I've seen both bands quite a few times on their home turf, but this would be my first time seeing them live outside the confines of Belfast.
First onstage, those hardcore hooligans Mohican Jack. This was meant to be their first gig as a four piece but unfortunately new guitarist Matt Lemon was unable to make it. With regular bass player Rory Breslin still out on 'paternity leave' (so to speak), young Bones Wilson is a more than able stand-in. With the heavily tattooed Steve MJ (vocals / gtr) leading from the front and Johnny Sloan (drums) laying down a steady backbeat, Mohican Jack come out all guns blazing. I don't think I've ever seen a band play with so much intensity as Mohican Jack. From the off it's heads down, pedal to the metal all the way as the band race through their now familiar set of live favourites - 'Two Wrongs', Wrecking Ball', 'Born A Loser', 'One Way In' etc. plus their bruising cover of the Outcasts classic 'Winter'! They even had time to throw in a new song 'The Flame' which sounded great on first hearing. The passion and anger that this band display is there for all to hear especially on the magnificent set closer 'Fuck The Police'! This is melodic h/c at its best. I'd imagine that standing stagefront at an MJ gig is the musical equivalent of standing in the middle of the highway as a runaway juggernaut comes hurtling towards you! Another great set from a band fast making a name for itself on the local scene. Great stuff.
After a short interval it was time for those cheeky chappies SSSA to strut their stuff. This was the latest stop-off on their current 'Dirty Stop Out Tour' and the audience in the Atlantic were in for a treat. I've seen this band a good few times over the past couple of years and they just keep getting better and better. Their fusion of post-punk and glam rock gives the band a unique sound, and sets them apart from most others on the local scene. The songs themselves are full of sexual innuendo and double entendres - check out 'Serge', 'Large Hadron Collider' etc - not surprising from a band who like to have a laugh as well as take the piss out of each other. Two new songs got an airing - 'Why Do Chicks Dig Vampires?' and 'Dirty Stop Outs' - both of which sounded fantastic on the night. Magazine were a big influence on the band members and in a fitting tribute SSSA performed a magnificent cover of 'Shot By Both Sides'. Don't be fooled by all the onstage fun and frolics into thinking that SSSA are some kinda whimsical comedy outfit 'cause these boys play some mean rock'n'roll - 'Super Tweet And The Denim Boys' being a case in point with its 70's bootboy stomp, Steve Jones style power chords and New York Dolls sleaze! Frontman Paul Rowan adds colour and sparkle to the proceedings and his uber showmanship went down well with the crowd. The set finished with a cracking cover of the Roxy Music classic 'Virginia Plain' but I had to bale out before the end of the song so I don't know if SSSA played an encore or not. A brilliant performance all round. Great band and good fun, catch them on tour if you get the chance.
So, another good wee night was had up in Portrush. Like the last time 2 great bands, good atmosphere and a few cold pints. Check out the Atlantic Lounge if you're ever up around the north coast, its a great wee venue with lots going on. Oh aye, a big thanks to Steven Ross (head honcho at the Atlantic) not only for putting on another great show, but also for making sure I wasn't left stranded when my lift didn't show!
GT 03/05/14
First onstage, those hardcore hooligans Mohican Jack. This was meant to be their first gig as a four piece but unfortunately new guitarist Matt Lemon was unable to make it. With regular bass player Rory Breslin still out on 'paternity leave' (so to speak), young Bones Wilson is a more than able stand-in. With the heavily tattooed Steve MJ (vocals / gtr) leading from the front and Johnny Sloan (drums) laying down a steady backbeat, Mohican Jack come out all guns blazing. I don't think I've ever seen a band play with so much intensity as Mohican Jack. From the off it's heads down, pedal to the metal all the way as the band race through their now familiar set of live favourites - 'Two Wrongs', Wrecking Ball', 'Born A Loser', 'One Way In' etc. plus their bruising cover of the Outcasts classic 'Winter'! They even had time to throw in a new song 'The Flame' which sounded great on first hearing. The passion and anger that this band display is there for all to hear especially on the magnificent set closer 'Fuck The Police'! This is melodic h/c at its best. I'd imagine that standing stagefront at an MJ gig is the musical equivalent of standing in the middle of the highway as a runaway juggernaut comes hurtling towards you! Another great set from a band fast making a name for itself on the local scene. Great stuff.
After a short interval it was time for those cheeky chappies SSSA to strut their stuff. This was the latest stop-off on their current 'Dirty Stop Out Tour' and the audience in the Atlantic were in for a treat. I've seen this band a good few times over the past couple of years and they just keep getting better and better. Their fusion of post-punk and glam rock gives the band a unique sound, and sets them apart from most others on the local scene. The songs themselves are full of sexual innuendo and double entendres - check out 'Serge', 'Large Hadron Collider' etc - not surprising from a band who like to have a laugh as well as take the piss out of each other. Two new songs got an airing - 'Why Do Chicks Dig Vampires?' and 'Dirty Stop Outs' - both of which sounded fantastic on the night. Magazine were a big influence on the band members and in a fitting tribute SSSA performed a magnificent cover of 'Shot By Both Sides'. Don't be fooled by all the onstage fun and frolics into thinking that SSSA are some kinda whimsical comedy outfit 'cause these boys play some mean rock'n'roll - 'Super Tweet And The Denim Boys' being a case in point with its 70's bootboy stomp, Steve Jones style power chords and New York Dolls sleaze! Frontman Paul Rowan adds colour and sparkle to the proceedings and his uber showmanship went down well with the crowd. The set finished with a cracking cover of the Roxy Music classic 'Virginia Plain' but I had to bale out before the end of the song so I don't know if SSSA played an encore or not. A brilliant performance all round. Great band and good fun, catch them on tour if you get the chance.
So, another good wee night was had up in Portrush. Like the last time 2 great bands, good atmosphere and a few cold pints. Check out the Atlantic Lounge if you're ever up around the north coast, its a great wee venue with lots going on. Oh aye, a big thanks to Steven Ross (head honcho at the Atlantic) not only for putting on another great show, but also for making sure I wasn't left stranded when my lift didn't show!
GT 03/05/14