MURPHY’S LIVE 2008 – The Future Kings of Spain – Superjimenez – Bravado
Whelan’s was the setting for the Murphy’s Live 2008, Dublin Quarter Finals. Two Dublin groups were there to battle it out for a chance of winning the grand prize, €10,000 towards studio time, an EP launch, a record deal, a six month management contract and record distribution.
Before saying anything about either group, I have to point out that I was really only there for the FKOS, who are, without a doubt, the greatest rock band to emerge out of Ireland in many a year. Their second album ‘Nervousystem’ is a testament to their song writing skills and their live show is always something to bask in. Therefore I thought of the first two acts of the show as a nuisance I had to sit through in order to see the kings.…how very wrong I was.
Bravado were first to try their luck with the crowd and judges. A very young group from North Dublin who, despite their inexperience and youth, put on one of the best shows I have seen from an unknown group in awhile. Describing their sound would be a challenge in itself. Each song was unique while still maintaining an overall formula. Although you could hear The Clash, Artic Monkeys, The Who and the Stone Roses all dying to break out.
Unfortunately, I don’t think Superjimenez managed to pull of the same show as Bravado. Although they looked the part, were all very experienced musicians and they were much tighter than Bravado, there was something missing. They commanded the stage well, especially for a newer group and managed to really get the crowd going. Their only downfall was their songs. Although the bass lines were something special and the guitars had some shredding moments, the overall package seemed ‘done before’. The U2 and Killers influence was much too obvious. The singer was no Bono, but the Edge was casting a shadow on this group.
The Future Kings of Spain closed the night with their usual energetic performance. Joey, Karl, Bryan and Anton breezed through a great set (taken mainly from ‘Nervousystem’) with such ease and performance it served as a great example to Bravado and Superjimenez how it’s all done. ‘Guess Again’, ‘One More Mistake’, Kick in the Teeth’ and ‘Syndicate’ are all delivered with such passion, they have managed to blend in perfectly with old favourites like ‘Venetian Blinds’, ‘Meanest Sound’ and ‘Hanging Around’. Although it isn’t their show, the Kings manage to steal the night and show a few new faces why they were chosen as head liners.
Set List:
Guess Again
One More Mistake
1981
This is the End
Venetian Blinds
Upside Down
Disappear
Kick in the Teeth
Face I Know
Meanest Sound
Hanging Around
Syndicate
'Ticket's There' - Irish and International Music Blog 
March 16, 2008 at 1:53 am
what absolute toss. anyone at that gig could see that SuperJiminez were heads and shoulders above Bravado in terms of everything. Their performance, their craft and their songwriting. The reaction of the crowd to each act only highlights this. Although i got hints of U2 from their stuff i cant see any similarity whatsoever to The Killers. maybe the singer looks a bit like him cos their wasnt a synthesizer in sight!!! They remind me more of Neds Atomic Dustbin (ish)… maybe a touch of Ash too… and a real pop-punk feel… Weird combo actually…. i congratulated them on their performance after the gig and they seemed like nice lads. all the best to all the bands anyway. And good luck with your blog…
March 16, 2008 at 10:18 am
I don’t agree. I think ‘SuperJiminez’ are just another typical wanna be poser indie rock group with nothing new to offer the world. I completely agree their performance was tighter and more professional than Bravado’s but there was no character. Every song was a rendition of someone’s else’s work.
Why bother watching another poser carbon copy of a good group because they look good, when you could watch and endorse a younger inspiring group who are sticking to their own style and who can only get better.
Cheers,
Tickets There
March 16, 2008 at 9:35 pm
fair enough – musical opinions are known to have started wars. I base my opinion on what my ears like. I liked what superjiminez played. I thought Bravado were a bit dull… i guess we should wait and see who gets through to the next round…
March 16, 2008 at 9:38 pm
by the way, i think that superjiminez were more commercial sounding than bravado and maybe thats why you didnt enjoy them but i dont think that commercialism in music is always a bad thng and i think their songs were honest.
March 16, 2008 at 10:20 pm
Completely agree. Bravao just surprised me, I was expecting something much worse from such young lads. Lead singer cant sing a note but he was energetic and abit practice he’ll go along way.
I agree about the commercial comment for Super.. but I dont have much love for the current rick.indie scene. I’m more of a (don’t laugh) KISS, Def Leppard, Guns N’Roses kind of guy and I cant relate to the modern stuff aswell. The Kings still took the night, pity a few more fans weren’t there.
March 18, 2008 at 2:29 pm
lol, I see Bravado made it through and the Supers are out of it for the second year in a row.
They are great musicians and play weel but the songs are boring as hell
March 22, 2008 at 1:22 am
just heard myself – fair play to Bravado and hard luck to SuperJimEnez.
March 25, 2008 at 12:43 pm
I was a little surprised, generally a group like the Supers would get through/ Hopefully this will help them work even harder and produce something great