Sylvain Sylvain + Million $ Reload + The Sabrejets - live @ the Empire, Belfast, 13/07/13
It was disappointing to see such a poor turn-out for this event. No doubt the timing - post Twelfth night madness, with half the population of Belfast on their jolli-days, and a pricey ticket cost - all contributing to the sparsity of attendance. For the lucky few who did make the effort to turn up -a crowd made up of greasy Rockabillys, long haired head-banging Rockers and Glam/Punk Doll fans - it really was a very entertaining night.
First up tonight were The Sabrejets, kicking it off with their raucous Rockabilly riot, and setting the bar high for those who had to follow. This evening the band sped through their set, tighter than a Teddy Boy's DA, with only one minor hiccup as Brian's guitar lead came unstuck during 'Dames' following some onstage tom-foolery. As well as the usual (sin-sational) set-list a new song 'Tennessee Flat-top Bop' was given an airing and as a tribute to the late, great Johnny Thunders, a cover of his 'Lil Bit O Whore' was played - also receiving a dedication with 'Too Fast To Live, Too Young To Die'. A shorter than usual set saw the Belfast greasers finish with 'I Fought The Law'.
Next up were Dungannon's own Heavy Metal '80s throwback - Million $ Reload. Although I am not a particular fan of this genre, the band could not be faulted on their musicianship - twin guitars riffing against each other, thumping drums and heavy bass with the diminuitive Dio-esque lead singer screeching and a-catter-wailing like all good 'rock-gods' should. The one song that really stood out was 'Bullets In The Sky' but for me, the only highlights were in the giutarist's hair. They did add (in their own words) 'a punk cover' when they played 'The Cowboy Song' by Thin Lizzy!!
After a relatively quick back line change, Syl Sylvian came onstage and after strapping on his Gretsch, was followed by Jerome Alexander on bass and Gary Powell on drums. As he beckoned the crowd to come forward, the band started off with the rockin' instrumental 'Cops'. In a set comprising of a few New York Doll classics ('Jet Boy', 'Personality Crisis',' Pills'), some solo tracks ('Leaving New York',. etc) with a few covers - Velvet Underground's 'Femme Fatale' and Syl introduced another tribute to Johnny Thunder with a rendition of 'You Can't Put Your Arms Around A Memory'. Throughout the night Syl entertained us with some inter-song old Doll stories - seeing Bo Diddley and the band being thrown out for continually shouting for 'Pills', the naming of the band after the Dolls' Hospital in New York. He continually bantered with the audience and calling the crowd forward, who responded and warmed to his interaction by eventually being right up to the front of the stage. Sometimes a bit cabaret, sometimes a bit up and down (especially during the songs the crowd were not too aux fait with) but overall a fanastic gig. Ending with a super version of 'Trash' it was all too much (and over) too soon.
Post gig, Syl and the band came back out for a chat and photo opportunity - a genuinely nice touch from a genuinely nice guy.
MULLY 14/07/13
First up tonight were The Sabrejets, kicking it off with their raucous Rockabilly riot, and setting the bar high for those who had to follow. This evening the band sped through their set, tighter than a Teddy Boy's DA, with only one minor hiccup as Brian's guitar lead came unstuck during 'Dames' following some onstage tom-foolery. As well as the usual (sin-sational) set-list a new song 'Tennessee Flat-top Bop' was given an airing and as a tribute to the late, great Johnny Thunders, a cover of his 'Lil Bit O Whore' was played - also receiving a dedication with 'Too Fast To Live, Too Young To Die'. A shorter than usual set saw the Belfast greasers finish with 'I Fought The Law'.
Next up were Dungannon's own Heavy Metal '80s throwback - Million $ Reload. Although I am not a particular fan of this genre, the band could not be faulted on their musicianship - twin guitars riffing against each other, thumping drums and heavy bass with the diminuitive Dio-esque lead singer screeching and a-catter-wailing like all good 'rock-gods' should. The one song that really stood out was 'Bullets In The Sky' but for me, the only highlights were in the giutarist's hair. They did add (in their own words) 'a punk cover' when they played 'The Cowboy Song' by Thin Lizzy!!
After a relatively quick back line change, Syl Sylvian came onstage and after strapping on his Gretsch, was followed by Jerome Alexander on bass and Gary Powell on drums. As he beckoned the crowd to come forward, the band started off with the rockin' instrumental 'Cops'. In a set comprising of a few New York Doll classics ('Jet Boy', 'Personality Crisis',' Pills'), some solo tracks ('Leaving New York',. etc) with a few covers - Velvet Underground's 'Femme Fatale' and Syl introduced another tribute to Johnny Thunder with a rendition of 'You Can't Put Your Arms Around A Memory'. Throughout the night Syl entertained us with some inter-song old Doll stories - seeing Bo Diddley and the band being thrown out for continually shouting for 'Pills', the naming of the band after the Dolls' Hospital in New York. He continually bantered with the audience and calling the crowd forward, who responded and warmed to his interaction by eventually being right up to the front of the stage. Sometimes a bit cabaret, sometimes a bit up and down (especially during the songs the crowd were not too aux fait with) but overall a fanastic gig. Ending with a super version of 'Trash' it was all too much (and over) too soon.
Post gig, Syl and the band came back out for a chat and photo opportunity - a genuinely nice touch from a genuinely nice guy.
MULLY 14/07/13