Archive for LaFarro

IRISH NOISE! – The Plea (MySpace)

Posted in IRISH NOISE!, Music, MySpace Review with tags , , , , , on June 14, 2011 by Tickets There

*Stretches fingers, cracks knuckles and so on. It’s good to be back, especially since we’ve accumulated a wealth of bands we think you’re going to thoroughly enjoy. As promised, we’re aiming today’s IRISH NOISE review at Donegal locals, The Plea (as seen supporting Ash in Whelan’s). The four piece have been around for over two years and already have a debut album under belts, an impressive list of production collaborators and a very healthy looking future ahead of them. Good for them, better for us. They claim The Doors, The Beatles and The (R) Stones as influences, their sound has been polished by Cenzo Townsend (other credits include U2, New Order and Blur) and judging by their live performance, they have as impressive a catalogue of material you’re likely to find in these here parts. Ladies and gentlemen, you’re new favourite band – The Plea!

The last statement may be a bit strong from a  reviewer who’s only caught one gig and listened to no less than two tracks on their MySpace (Would someone please explain the Facebook player please?) but we’re standing by it! ‘Praise Be’ is first up and it’s also the one we’re most familiar. The band recently included it on a special split E.P. with Ash and LaFarro for their recent Irish shows togeather. An excellent number rooted in psychedelic, dance-pop rock that’s centred around the vocals and a thumping drum beat. The guitar adds nice decoration against the beatin’ bass in the background. Yep, it’ll do!

‘I Am The Miracle’ is up next (very sadly the last song in the player), even better than the real thing. Style, structure and flow are much the same as Praise Be, perhaps not good to have both on the player as it doesn’t show much diversity, but; as a wise Tickets There once said, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”. Just as enjoyable either way and another push to get more of their material.

Great band, well worth checking out and one (never get tired of saying this) you’ll be hearing more of on Tickets There in the future. Visit their Official MySpace @ myspace.com/thepleamusic

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Review: ASH – Live @ Whelan’s, Dublin (June 6th, 2011)

Posted in Gig Review, IRISH NOISE!, Music with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on June 13, 2011 by Tickets There

Ash, Ireland’s favourite pop rock trio are back in Dublin tonight for a highly anticipated appearance at local indie haunt, Whelan’s of Wexford St. Excitement’s been building for weeks so it’s no surprise to see queue’s of hungry Ash fans geared up for a night of sweat, pints and tuneage. Entering the packed venue it seems tonight’s sell out crowd don’t seem concerned that they’ve lost the fashionably late edge by piling in just in time for opening act, The Plea. Fortunately it’s one of those nights you’re glad you came early as The Plea rocket through an incredibly well played set of heavy guitar laden alt-rock gems including ‘Praise Be’ from their split, special tour edition E.P. Definitely a band that requires further investigation and a great start to the night.

Belfast indie rockers LaFarro take the stage next and initially drop the quality a little. While The Plea presented themselves as well seasoned, confident performers; LaFarro singer Jonny Black looks uncomfortable, inexperienced and unexciting on stage. He stares at the floor, doesn’t connect with the crowd and lacks any energy as the band kick off their set. This drop is heightened by poor sound on the vocals which trespasses on the rest of the band’s efforts. As the set continues, Herb MaGee (the “only Catholic in the band”) begins some onstage banter that seems to liven LaFarro’s mood as well as the crowds. From there we’re treated to some great tunes as Johny finds his feet and Dave Magee’s head banging can be properly enjoyed. Nice save and another band you’ll be hearing more of soon.

As the lights go dark, the crowd erupts at the site of Ash taking the stage. On the rare occasions you get to see a band of their size take the same stage as your mates on their EP launch night, it’s hard not to feel that special tingling. ‘Lose Control’ opens the set and pounds the audience with its furious intensity. Tim Wheeler, Mark Hamilton and tonight’s stand in drummer Alan Lynn (LaFarro), all sound fantastic as they command the stage, kick ass and deliver some of the finest hits any Irish band has ever produced. Tickets There favourites ‘A Life Less Ordinary’ and ‘Dionysian Urge’ follow, immediately cementing this as a great night. ‘Twilight of Innocents’ makes an early appearance, which Tim passes off as an “experiment” and leads to mass sing-alongs from the crowd before hit after hit pile drive the crowd into submission. ‘Girl From Mars’, ‘Gold Finger’ and ‘Petrol’ bring us back to our youth while ‘Joy Kicks Darkness’ holds up the recent material’s crown for all to see.

‘Walking Barefoot’ has to be one of the highlights and it serves as a reminder of how great Free All Angels is. Again, the band are drowned out by the crowd, leaving them no choice but to rip through ‘Oh Yeah’, ‘Kung Fu’ and ‘The Dead Disciples’ which sends the pit into frenzy mode. ‘Shinning Light’, the mega-powered up ‘Orpheus’ and ‘Return of White Rabbit’ – the A-Z singles flagship dance-floor epic, finish the main set; giving all at the front a well needed chance to breath and mop the brow. Before long Ash return and bring us home with the stunning ‘Arcadia’, the punk fused classics ‘Angel Interceptor’, and ‘Jack Names The Planets‘ before calling it a night with one final blow out; the shredding ‘Burn Baby Burn’.

As surprising as it is to think Ash have been around for nearly twenty years, it’s even more incredible how amazing they are on stage. Their energy, passion and enthusiasm ensure they never lose connection with the audience and their songs sound better than ever. While the crowd leave,  ears ringing and looking blown away from tonight’s amazing show, the band brim from the stage at a job well done. Come back soon lads!

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