VX - live
@ Culture Night, Belfast,
West Belfast Events 21/09/12
'Culture Night Belfast' - what a weird but wonderful annual event.
It's not often you get to see a very tall hay stuffed 'Wicker Man' structure surrounded by fire dancers (unless you live on a remote Hebridean island), a mariachi band strolling the streets of a crammed 'Cathedral Quater', a massive skateboard ramp in the grounds of the nearby Ulster University, art installation light boxes pumping out dubstep grooves in hidden nooks and crannies , and very good live bands like 'Silence' who were playing in the middle of Lombard St. I can't remember the last time (if ever) I saw a guy with mutton chop sideburns and wearing a deer-stalker hat onstage, while knocking out 'Velvet Underground' inspired tunes with New York Dolls style backing vocals . There was just so much going on here tonight it was hard to take it all in, Oh! and then there was 'Terri Hooley' djing outside 'Cafe Hero' in the nippy night air which was another pleasant but rare sighting.
And lets not forget local glam post punksters 'Stop Stop Start Again' playing live in the baby doll pink lit window of a hairdressers. Think of a group of dutch red light district hookers only in reverse and you'll get the idea of the imagery lol, but SSSA sounded cool as always.
'VX' and I only ended up down at the city centre leg of the festival by default, as the band were originally scheduled to play three sets in the 'Andersonstown' area as part of the many 'West Belfast Culture Night' events.
'VX' have been around in one form or another since since starting life as a very young schoolboy skater punk outfit back in 2009, the new line up is made up of 'Steven Donnelly' ( Lead Guitar / Vocals), 'Chris Byrne' (Guitar /Vocals) and 'Jonny Bill' ( Drums /Vocals) and tonight was their very public unveiling .
Think of our dismay as we arrived at the first location only to witness gazebo number one being dismantled, apparently the first show was pulled at the last minute due to some permission issues regarding the erection of a decorative garden construction in the grounds of the 'Busy Bee' centre or something like that.
So after a natter with the organiser 'Maxi' it was off a couple of hundred yards down the road to the next location and happily show two was already well underway with well known Belfast busker 'Mike' performing outside 'Fusco's Ice cream parlour' which also had face painters doing their thing inside and hyper kids running mad during the various bands and solo acts sets.
The new line up of 'VX' were next for what was now going to be their live debut , it was an acoustic set so the bands usual highly energetic and aggessive electric sound was now stripped back to the bone. To say that that they were well out of their comfort zone would be an understatement but there was no nerves and the new arrangements of their original tunes like Decadence and Heartache, Blue Salt Breaks etc. as well a brace of 'Filter' and 'Ramones' covers went down really well with the pretty good sized crowd of curious locals, friends and family.
There was now a couple of hours grace before the bands next and main set at the 'Emerald Roadhouse', so we all decided to jump in the car and head into the city to check out what was going on down there. On our way I suggested we get out and do an impromptu busk and photo session underneath the blue plaque that marks the spot where the famous 'Maritime Hotel' blues venue once stood, much to the annoyance of some of the residents living on the other side of the street, who gave us a bit of friendly banter from their windows. Sorry everyone! it might have been so dark round there but it was early evening and it was only one song , yes! it was the normally much more noisey 'Tribal Rights' but hey! everything was done and dusted after only a few minutes. Just think When VX are famous you'll be able to tell everyone they did a video and pics opposite your flat lol.
We eventually got parked and made our way round to the main events (some documented above) and it was great craic , there was a really happy vibe all around the city. We stayed for a while and watched our pals 'Stop Stop Start Again' do a couple of numbers , but VX were getting restless, while on a real high and brimming with confidence. So seeing as they had their guitars and a snare drum with them, they set up at the cathedral end of 'Hill st' which was once home to the legendary punk venue 'The Harp Bar' and started playing just two covers, one again by 'The Ramones' and the other by 'A Day to Remember' which sounded fantastic. It was all just for fun and to see what reaction they could get , a real Cliff Richard / Elvis Presley cheesy movie 'lets do the show here' moment. Have to say the 'VX' boys got really into their stride and drew a surprisingly big audience, there was loads of photos taken and the crowd were loving it and joining in during all the singalong bits. Plus 'VX' made their first fiver and they weren't even playing for any money, 'VX' is already generating cash lol.
We arrived at the 'Emerald Roadhouse late and were met at the door by Gareth and James who are friends and fans of the new VX line up, who were both dressed in their own original designed VX tshirts, which was appreciated and a real ego boost for the band (as if VX needed another one after the great night they'd been having up to this point). The band were now champing at the bit to get up and start playing again, and after three other very accomplished acoustic sets by the former 'Bank Robbers' bassist / vocalist 'Joby Fox' , Busker 'Mike' and 'Caoimhín Mac Giolla Catháin' from 'Breág', it was time again to crank up the volume and add a little teenage attitude and energy to the proceedings , VX were back onstage and playing live in a different location for the fourth time in one night, phew! Again it was another set made up of their self penned originals and covers, and this time it was their rendition of 'Blitzkrieg Bop' that had the joint rockin. 20 mins later and the band said their thank you's and reminded everyone present that 'They Are VX' and then they left the stage.
'Union' were the final band of the night and it just so happens that 'Jim', one of the band members, was a local gig promoter and he wanted to book 'VX' for a future live show, details of which will be sorted very soon and then passed on through the bands Facebook / Twitter .
'VX' were in a daze by the end of the evening , they were finding it hard to take in just how well things had turned out . It certainly went beyond their wildest expectations, and hopefully bodes well for their future as there's already more recording and gigs etc confirmed. Any other band who are interested in offering VX a gig, dont be scared to get in touch!
I doubt they'll ever gig as hard again in one evening, but that was the new version's gig cherry popped in grand style and it was well worth all the effort.
Next week its back to a full on electric show complete with new bassist Aidan Caulfield at 'The Warzone Centre' on saturday night 29.9.12 supporting 'Smokey Bastard' & 'Fag Enablerz'. VX can't wait to get in there and rip it up . Bring it on!
Joe Donnelly Belfast 23.9.12.
It's not often you get to see a very tall hay stuffed 'Wicker Man' structure surrounded by fire dancers (unless you live on a remote Hebridean island), a mariachi band strolling the streets of a crammed 'Cathedral Quater', a massive skateboard ramp in the grounds of the nearby Ulster University, art installation light boxes pumping out dubstep grooves in hidden nooks and crannies , and very good live bands like 'Silence' who were playing in the middle of Lombard St. I can't remember the last time (if ever) I saw a guy with mutton chop sideburns and wearing a deer-stalker hat onstage, while knocking out 'Velvet Underground' inspired tunes with New York Dolls style backing vocals . There was just so much going on here tonight it was hard to take it all in, Oh! and then there was 'Terri Hooley' djing outside 'Cafe Hero' in the nippy night air which was another pleasant but rare sighting.
And lets not forget local glam post punksters 'Stop Stop Start Again' playing live in the baby doll pink lit window of a hairdressers. Think of a group of dutch red light district hookers only in reverse and you'll get the idea of the imagery lol, but SSSA sounded cool as always.
'VX' and I only ended up down at the city centre leg of the festival by default, as the band were originally scheduled to play three sets in the 'Andersonstown' area as part of the many 'West Belfast Culture Night' events.
'VX' have been around in one form or another since since starting life as a very young schoolboy skater punk outfit back in 2009, the new line up is made up of 'Steven Donnelly' ( Lead Guitar / Vocals), 'Chris Byrne' (Guitar /Vocals) and 'Jonny Bill' ( Drums /Vocals) and tonight was their very public unveiling .
Think of our dismay as we arrived at the first location only to witness gazebo number one being dismantled, apparently the first show was pulled at the last minute due to some permission issues regarding the erection of a decorative garden construction in the grounds of the 'Busy Bee' centre or something like that.
So after a natter with the organiser 'Maxi' it was off a couple of hundred yards down the road to the next location and happily show two was already well underway with well known Belfast busker 'Mike' performing outside 'Fusco's Ice cream parlour' which also had face painters doing their thing inside and hyper kids running mad during the various bands and solo acts sets.
The new line up of 'VX' were next for what was now going to be their live debut , it was an acoustic set so the bands usual highly energetic and aggessive electric sound was now stripped back to the bone. To say that that they were well out of their comfort zone would be an understatement but there was no nerves and the new arrangements of their original tunes like Decadence and Heartache, Blue Salt Breaks etc. as well a brace of 'Filter' and 'Ramones' covers went down really well with the pretty good sized crowd of curious locals, friends and family.
There was now a couple of hours grace before the bands next and main set at the 'Emerald Roadhouse', so we all decided to jump in the car and head into the city to check out what was going on down there. On our way I suggested we get out and do an impromptu busk and photo session underneath the blue plaque that marks the spot where the famous 'Maritime Hotel' blues venue once stood, much to the annoyance of some of the residents living on the other side of the street, who gave us a bit of friendly banter from their windows. Sorry everyone! it might have been so dark round there but it was early evening and it was only one song , yes! it was the normally much more noisey 'Tribal Rights' but hey! everything was done and dusted after only a few minutes. Just think When VX are famous you'll be able to tell everyone they did a video and pics opposite your flat lol.
We eventually got parked and made our way round to the main events (some documented above) and it was great craic , there was a really happy vibe all around the city. We stayed for a while and watched our pals 'Stop Stop Start Again' do a couple of numbers , but VX were getting restless, while on a real high and brimming with confidence. So seeing as they had their guitars and a snare drum with them, they set up at the cathedral end of 'Hill st' which was once home to the legendary punk venue 'The Harp Bar' and started playing just two covers, one again by 'The Ramones' and the other by 'A Day to Remember' which sounded fantastic. It was all just for fun and to see what reaction they could get , a real Cliff Richard / Elvis Presley cheesy movie 'lets do the show here' moment. Have to say the 'VX' boys got really into their stride and drew a surprisingly big audience, there was loads of photos taken and the crowd were loving it and joining in during all the singalong bits. Plus 'VX' made their first fiver and they weren't even playing for any money, 'VX' is already generating cash lol.
We arrived at the 'Emerald Roadhouse late and were met at the door by Gareth and James who are friends and fans of the new VX line up, who were both dressed in their own original designed VX tshirts, which was appreciated and a real ego boost for the band (as if VX needed another one after the great night they'd been having up to this point). The band were now champing at the bit to get up and start playing again, and after three other very accomplished acoustic sets by the former 'Bank Robbers' bassist / vocalist 'Joby Fox' , Busker 'Mike' and 'Caoimhín Mac Giolla Catháin' from 'Breág', it was time again to crank up the volume and add a little teenage attitude and energy to the proceedings , VX were back onstage and playing live in a different location for the fourth time in one night, phew! Again it was another set made up of their self penned originals and covers, and this time it was their rendition of 'Blitzkrieg Bop' that had the joint rockin. 20 mins later and the band said their thank you's and reminded everyone present that 'They Are VX' and then they left the stage.
'Union' were the final band of the night and it just so happens that 'Jim', one of the band members, was a local gig promoter and he wanted to book 'VX' for a future live show, details of which will be sorted very soon and then passed on through the bands Facebook / Twitter .
'VX' were in a daze by the end of the evening , they were finding it hard to take in just how well things had turned out . It certainly went beyond their wildest expectations, and hopefully bodes well for their future as there's already more recording and gigs etc confirmed. Any other band who are interested in offering VX a gig, dont be scared to get in touch!
I doubt they'll ever gig as hard again in one evening, but that was the new version's gig cherry popped in grand style and it was well worth all the effort.
Next week its back to a full on electric show complete with new bassist Aidan Caulfield at 'The Warzone Centre' on saturday night 29.9.12 supporting 'Smokey Bastard' & 'Fag Enablerz'. VX can't wait to get in there and rip it up . Bring it on!
Joe Donnelly Belfast 23.9.12.