[Spunge] are a pop punk band, the music is upbeat
and melodic, but it’s fairly simple stuff
to listen to, and it works, but it's not my particular
cup of tea, as I don't find the songs particularly
engaging. Ego was fairly good and known by some
in the crowd, although the cheer came from the
back of the room, along with some light hearted
heckling! For an opening band, the crowd seemed
really into then and alive. The songs while catchy
all seem very repetitive and it seems all very
boring even though it really shouldn't be!
Face to face, somewhat legends to the punk scene
and to some in the crowd and someone in security
as it happens too. Heavier punk rock from face
to face, more simple music, again I don't really
feel too engaged yet again. Many cheers of face
to face from the crowd, and some as engaged as
I am! The drumming is decent and it's nothing
complex, the guitar riffs are repetitive with
little change from song to song it all feels very
samey, I'm not really that interested as it's
not very catchy or a satisfying listen but there
was lots of crowd participation and some of the
crowd had a good time, just wasn't to my taste,
but that's not important.
Dropkick Murphy’s, a band I've waited far
too long to see, and they didn't disappoint either,
not many gigs descend into a party atmosphere,
must be all the skanking! Playing some of my favourites
in the first few songs and it flew by so quickly,
The State Of Massachusetts, Sunshine Highway and
Famous for Nothing was pretty awesome, Celtic
Punk you gotta love the sound! It’s dirty,
folkish, and catchy as hell with some memorable
riffs and drum beats and plenty to sing and for
some to fight too as well! The vocals are brilliant,
Al and Kens voices so very gruff, that Boston
accent giving them there unique sound, it’s
hard not to like it! A surprise was on The Dirty
Glass with the appearance of female vocalist Stephanie
Dougherty, top draw! Other notable songs and favourites,
The Auld Triangle, Johnny, I Hardly Knew Ya, Captain
Kelly's Kitchen and Kiss Me, I'm Shitfaced, in
which some of the female crowd are allowed on
to the stage, good times for the fans, at this
point it feels like party in the o2 Academy tonight.
Into the encore, my all time favourite I'm Shipping
Up to Boston was included among some classics
an favourites of mine, Bar room Hero, Skinhead
on the MBTA and set closer, Boys on the docks
in which some of the male members of the crowd
make it on to the stage, and it fills pretty fast,
all you need is a bar up there and it would descend
in to a top piss up! Great atmosphere tonight,
good times and great music, not a bad way to spend
a Friday night!
[Spunge] 3/5
Face To Face 3/5
Dropkick Murphys 5/5
Review By Robert Lawrence
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