The Outcasts
@ The Button Factory, Dublin, 04/02/12
(review by Maureen Lawrence)
As 51,000 people descended on Dublin’s fair city for the Ireland v Wales 6 nations match, we were making our way to the much more exciting venue of The Button Factory in Temple Bar to see the Outcasts 1st gig in Dublin since 1984. The last time I was in Dublin with the Outcasts was at the 24 hour Dark Space gig in 1978. I don’t remember a lot about that night, except Bono was there with the Hype, being dark and being drunk!! The Virgin Prunes were the band everyone wanted to see that weekend... and I remember thinking .... different, but Belfast isn’t ready for this lot yet, (would they ever be!! )
A meeting point at the Clarence Hotel for pre gig drinks seemed like a good idea at the time.... but after too much catching up with old friends, too many drinks and very little food, when we did arrive at the venue we had already missed Paranoid Visions!!! All I can say is I’m sure they were brilliant, they always are! Then that old familiar line ‘We are The Outcasts’ came from Greg, which moved us to make our way to the front. With the effective lighting system in The Button Factory and the amazing sound thanks to John Hesketh they opened with the slightly gentle Nowhere Left To Run , then came the madness of Mania, Frustration, Cops and Winter and all the rest that reawakened those Harp Bar glory days. The band looked sharp and played a tight set with Martin and Petesy on guitar, Fallsy on drums and Greg back on bass, just as it should be! Greg laughed with amazement at remembering all the words for the first few songs, but as usual The Outcasts never fail to deliver a great punk set. It felt like they were just warming up, when in no time You’re a Disease was blasted out from the front and I knew then it was all going to be over too soon. The Button Factory was an excellent venue with yet another outstanding gig from The Outcasts..... bit of a shame Bono couldn't make it this time to see the infamous Outcasts and Belfast punk at its best!!
As 51,000 people descended on Dublin’s fair city for the Ireland v Wales 6 nations match, we were making our way to the much more exciting venue of The Button Factory in Temple Bar to see the Outcasts 1st gig in Dublin since 1984. The last time I was in Dublin with the Outcasts was at the 24 hour Dark Space gig in 1978. I don’t remember a lot about that night, except Bono was there with the Hype, being dark and being drunk!! The Virgin Prunes were the band everyone wanted to see that weekend... and I remember thinking .... different, but Belfast isn’t ready for this lot yet, (would they ever be!! )
A meeting point at the Clarence Hotel for pre gig drinks seemed like a good idea at the time.... but after too much catching up with old friends, too many drinks and very little food, when we did arrive at the venue we had already missed Paranoid Visions!!! All I can say is I’m sure they were brilliant, they always are! Then that old familiar line ‘We are The Outcasts’ came from Greg, which moved us to make our way to the front. With the effective lighting system in The Button Factory and the amazing sound thanks to John Hesketh they opened with the slightly gentle Nowhere Left To Run , then came the madness of Mania, Frustration, Cops and Winter and all the rest that reawakened those Harp Bar glory days. The band looked sharp and played a tight set with Martin and Petesy on guitar, Fallsy on drums and Greg back on bass, just as it should be! Greg laughed with amazement at remembering all the words for the first few songs, but as usual The Outcasts never fail to deliver a great punk set. It felt like they were just warming up, when in no time You’re a Disease was blasted out from the front and I knew then it was all going to be over too soon. The Button Factory was an excellent venue with yet another outstanding gig from The Outcasts..... bit of a shame Bono couldn't make it this time to see the infamous Outcasts and Belfast punk at its best!!
The Defects
@ Sweeney's, Dublin, 04/02/12
On to Sweeney’s Bar for the after show party for ‘Songs from Under the Floorboards’ with The Dubtones and The Lee Harveys all sounding good. The crowd well and truly inebriated by now and packed in like sardines waiting with anticipation for Belfast’s finest The Defects to kick off the best part of the party. Once on stage Buck shouted from the front Dance Til You Drop which sounded like a challenge to those in the mosh pit to keep up....... Metal Walls, 20th Century, Survival, Brutality, We Don’t Care and one of the best punk songs ever written Bitch accelerated the mood of the crowd to a higher level of enthusiastic passion for this brilliant Belfast band...in other words it was crazy!...Bob Marley’s Get Up Stand Up broke up the madness for a few minutes but it was all starting to feel like another Saturday In Hill Street a new song from Glenn dedicated to the Harp Bar days ...’glass in hand, watching the band, making their point, taking a stand, feels like a Saturday in Hill Street’...... and has to be the next single! It all got very messy and soon there were tables flying, beer throwing, Paranoid Visions Deko taking the stage and even Sid Vicious made an appearance during Revelator. Surreal or what!! The Defects said it was like playing in somebody’s flat and I have to agree, the night had the feeling of being at one of the greatest house party’s ever! Sweeney’s being a compact bar was ideal for an after show party and made an unforgettable night for all!! I believe Darren Russell-Smith was there and surely must realise now after a night like that, that along with The Outcasts and Runnin Riot...The Defects need to be part of the line up for this year’s Rebellion !! I can’t wait for the new album, coming out soon. After an excellent night of punk with The Outcasts and the mad house party with The Defects the night ended up with the best fish and chips ever in Temple Bar, Dublin..what a night, one of the best... just like a Saturday in Hill Street!!
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