The 10 Bands Of Christmas

SPECIAL EDITION SPECIAL EDITION

Live reviews The Ruby Sessions and The Sunday Roast Dimestore Recordings plus more...

THE 10 BANDS OF

CHRISTMAS

Album/EP reviews Michael Brunnock Lindi Ortega Eric McGrath Greg Clifford plus more...

CONTENTS:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Foreword Moo! The Radioactive Grandma Chocolate Orange Gyp~y Rebel Rabble The Juice Cat Dowling Juliet’s Rescue The Hot Sprockets Created by Comets Third Smoke

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FOREWORD Now in its second year of running, the 2012 Dame District Christmas Market is an annual project that takes place in Dublin which highlights and brings together a selection of local based businesses and traders for 10 days leading up to Christmas. By closing both Dame Lane and Dame Court to traffic, the Christmas Market ran from December 14th to 23rd and transformed the otherwise empty back lane into a vibrant cosmopolitan thoroughfare through a combination of live events to create a temporary seasonal village built on community spirit.

One of the cornerstone aspects of what U&I Music Agency is about as a company is supporting the music of local unsigned and independent artists and one of the key features that made the Christmas Market was the outdoor entertainment provided free of charge by the organisers. The well managed stage area saw a large number of high profile artists from the local and national music scene perform over the duration of the market. Throughout the 10 days that the market ran we were there supporting the artists who took to the stage and braved the cold, wind and rain and checked their performances out.

To highlight the manner that the music provided transformed the market and really brought the people of Dublin together, we have decided to produce this special edition of U&I Music Magazine.

“The 10 Bands of Christmas” specifically features 10 of the artists who graced the stage during the course of the Dame District Christmas Market. We reviewed these 10 select artists and compiled this special edition feature to underline our continued commitment to supporting local unsigned and independent artists while also highlighting what the current music scene in Dublin is all about.

The 10 artists chosen to feature in our special edition are as follows: MOO THE RADIOACTIVE GRANDMA CHOCOLATE ORANGE GYP~Y REBEL RABBLE THE JUICE CAT DOWLING JULIET’S RESCUE THE HOT SPROCKETS CREATED BY COMETS THIRD SMOKE 2012 was a great year for unsigned and independent music on the Dublin circuit and we intend to build on that momentum by maintaining our commitment to local music throughout 2013. This will be done through our monthly publication U&I Music Magazine and other special editions throughout the year, but also with other music based products and services that are in the pipeline. These future projects being developed under the Twenty1Zero Media umbrella include TV and other media projects. They have been designed and will also be developed to complement existing products and services, but will also allow and afford them recognition in their own right.

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MOO! (Friday, 14th December, 2012) The first band to start off our “10 Bands of Christmas” is MOO! The three-piece are one of the most imaginative bands currently playing on the unsigned circuit in Ireland and a really impressive band to see perform on a stage anywhere.

“The Running Fool” graciously opened things from them. There is a hum to this that is very pleasing and the pace that it throws out is spun amicably. It is a very groovy tune that has a hook on it that underlines why the band are held in high regard by those who have seen them play live. That was then followed up by “A Long Way Down”, which is a lavish number that gets you on your feet and keeps you dancing. The playing side is frenetically delivered and it is kept constant.

The next song “Eli James” is something that really plays with sass. It is not shy about being cool and the band firmly nail this one down. It is fierce and has a very rich Southern vibe to it that plays like a country song, but with some attitude thrown in for

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good measure. A song about a summer in Italy in “The Little Boat” was next. This is a song with flavour, in particular the peachy sound from the playing side of things from the guitar. The slide elements that flourish on this one are much celebrated.

They got into the swing of things with “Man of Habit”, which has a divine bass line coursing through it. What also comes across on the sound of things is that the rhythm is very friendly and is tailored to play alongside the offbeat aspects of the lyrics. It still maintains a sense of the bold and the racy side on how it plays and puts meat on the bones of this one. That was then followed up by “2000 Horses” and this really gets going from the very start. It has a tense feel to it but it is handled with a firm, competent hand. There is a Southern brace to it that exerts a rich Americana vibe. In short, it doesn’t skirt around and instead hunkers down to the job at hand. A very smoothly delivered rhythm with a hard edge defines “Zombies on the Highway”. It has a slick side to the sound but also showcases a very rich blues element to it. It is very endearing stuff and showcases a high amount of detail on the playing side of things.

Up next from the band is an EP due for release in February.

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You can check them out on the following link: www.mooband.com

THE RADIOACTIVE GRANDMA (Saturday, December 15th, 2012)

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he atmosphere here this evening at the Dame District could rival that of Carnivale or Notting Hill. The sheer good spirit in the air was absolutely incredibly and so absorbing that it electrified the air. Everything about it showcased why the event itself is held in such high regard by the artists playing it annually and also what attracts the local traders to support the event.

Part of the project is providing a showcase to emerging unsigned and independent artists on the Irish music scene. Be they local artists, or in the case of THE RADIOACTIVE GRANDMA, an emerging talent from Cavan who are rising fast on the Irish music scene. Setting things in motion for their set was a track called “Another Wasted Line” and the cajon playing on it gives the song a real bite. The shape of the song is wrapped up finely in the rhythm of the song overall, with the guitar hooks on it being very sober and catching.

They really fit the song quite well and they also see it slide along ever so well. “Don’t Look Down” then picks up the pace from the moment it gets going. It plays with a drive that shows some expert handling on the playing side of things, but also with the live performance side of things.

There is a real spring in the step from the band in this one that comes across in everything that is on show here – from the paying side to the live aspect of the delivery – and doesn’t drop the ball in any way at all.

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That was followed by another well played song with “The Game” that somehow opens in a harrowing way but has an entertaining side to it. The chorus on it is insanely catchy and the manner that everything is played in here just pours out to show a composed and competent performance. The playing side of things is very much assured and the closing to the track steps up a level too. A track itself that is well worth checking out on its own merits, but having seen it performed live it shows a band with a rich side to their music. This was then followed up by “Follow The Crows” and there is a ditty effect that rolls off from the intro before the cajon kicks it into touch. This is a song that slowly fascinates too because as it plays and comes into itself what you see is a song that really happens and unfolds before you. There is a sturdy lift to it that is kept in check with some very controlled playing from the band.

That song then sets things up nicely for “Waves”.

This track here has a very embracing side to how it plays. It has a more morose sound to it; however it pulses along and really comes across as a song that stands on its own two feet with the minimal of fuss.

The lush strings and playing side of things are very tidily delivered here too, but what also complements this is the determined side of the delivery. It comes across and underlines a very spirited performance from the band.

Closing their set was “The Walls Have Ears” which has a consistency to it. It opens with a pinch to the guitar that puts the foundation in place for the rest of the song to build on. Everything catches here that conveys a sense of familiarity to it even if you have never heard it before. Here the band step forward with a tune that is carefully pitched with neat flashes on show, but what they also do is step up to the plate. It has a very urban vibe to it with the lyrics and vocals, but the neatness to how it flows is incredibly well done here. theradioactivegrandma.bandcamp.com

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CHOCOLATE ORANGE (Monday, 17th December, 2012) The third band in our “10 Bands of Christmas” feature is Dublin band CHOCOLATE ORANGE and they took to the stage here this evening with a real sense of purpose. As a result of that mark of intent, the set that they produced was one that really shook things up. They started their set off with a track called “Walk of Shame” and this is a song that any band would be proud to call their own. It has a very upbeat and positive sound to it that breaks into a very well swept manner that lends a very rich Honky Tonk sound to it. The way that is done really sells the song to you. That was then followed up by a song rich in blues influences that come across effortlessly in the sound here.

“Choices” has a really good hang to it that comes from the guitar playing. It is deep and it has an incredible element to it showing it to a very broad and heavy sounding piece. What also works in its favour is the consistent way the playing holds firm all the way through. Next song “Bad Things” is really delivered quite sharply on the playing side of things as well as the live performance. The manner in which the guitar playing side of things, combined with how the bass comes across so effectively, really bowls you over.

This was then followed up by a cover of “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)’’ by U2 and it was played with a real jive and in the spirit of Christmas. They produced a real spirited performance of the track here. With “Through the Night” the pace that picks up is electrifying. There is a pounding

to it here that is definitive and has a real sting in the tail. This gives the rhythm something to build on and when it gets going it really flies and creates an atmosphere all of its own making. That is helped in no small way by the way roll that rips through the air from the guitar here. Proper order is the best way of summing it up because there is no messing about.

There is a real touch of class with “The Way She Treats Me”. This is highly charged and it really rocks out. It is very full bodied and the pace on it shows some very solid playing. That was then followed up by another Christmas classic with “Do They Know Its Christmas?” which isn’t too hard a song to go wrong with and it was well received by the crowd. In terms of the cold weather they were undeterred and really enjoyed the show here. That is also down to the band being well worth catching live this evening.

With an opening that leaves your heart in your mouth, “Give Me Your Love” was next. The song has a healthy rhythm to it that keeps the composure side of things in check and builds earnestly. It is a catchy all-rounder that has a real sheen to how it plays. That dazzling effect is then enhanced by a massively played bridge that the band plays so assuredly that when they take it in their stride they deliver it as if they were taking a stroll in the park. It seems to come so naturally to them. A cover of “Green River” by CCR was next and that just went with it too and they never put a foot wrong here either. Nicely handled and created a good vibe for the crowd, which showed that they have the chops and the nous to give the people what they want while still getting on with the aspect of being a musician. An additional cover of “The Thrill Is Gone” by BB KING that was incredibly played and carried off smartly came off the back of that tune. They are really on the ball all the way here with this one.

“The Wanderer” is an original from them that draws a fine intro with the steadiness of the guitar playing. It is really well built up and excellently timed. What ends up on show here is something that is very well equipped when it gets going. They really knuckle down here and everything seems to gel in a way that sees their hard work pay off. The bridge on here is a long player but it is properly suited and booted to the task at hand. Then their set was brought to a fine close with a nice little ROLLING STONES number that was obviously something that has a personal affinity for the band. ”Honky Tonk Woman” was well played and brought the curtain down on a really stand-out set from start to finish from one of those nice bands that are worth checking out if you get the chance.

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www.facebook.com/ChocolateOrangeMusic

Gyp~y Rebel Rabble (Wednesday, 19th December, 2012) The fourth band selected for our “10 Bands of Christmas” feature are GYP~Y REBEL RABBLE. This is a band with a very distinct bluegrass sound that is impeccably delivered when they play live. They got a really good set off to a start with “Reminds Me of You”. The song coasts along on a really refined and smooth sound that has an enormous kick to it at the same time. The rhythm side of things here is kept fluid and that really suits the sound on things here. It is very rich and warm in southern hospitality when it comes to the delivery it just blows you away. It is imbued with a fantastic and silky sound. The double bass on “MacGuffin” is truly prolific. How it stands out also helps the song stand up and be counted.

There is a lot of heart that comes to it and it is smoothly operated behind some very fine tracking on it all the way. From the intro it is a sophisticated sound that is propped up on the playing side. The railroad funk aspect of it is also compelling when they launch into the “One-Note Solo”.

This is something to really see in their live set that will convince you of how good they are. With next track “Corporate Shuffle” they also showcase a song that has a sincere sheen to it on the playing side of things. It is carried on the shoulders of an assured playing side and they also play it in a way that really wraps things up nicely.

“Cindy” is a very kooky and lavish number that sits admirably with the bluegrass side of their music. There is a wholesome sound going for it and it really captures the playing side of things with a stark delivery. The guitar on here has a hook to it that really buries itself in the sound and drives it on. That was then followed up by

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“Wedding Bell Blues” and how the intro plays rolls the song into shape. On next song “War Droid”, which was the single off the live album they released last year, the sound very much changes.

The harmony that comes into play works extremely well and it fascinates and lures you in quite nicely.

The singing side of things moves up a gear and adds an element of charm to how it goes about its business. It is also a very accomplished tune that is very capable of holding its own. On “The Wedding Present” everything that plays on it does its job and does its job very well. The manner that it opens is something that sits on the solemn and remorseful side of things but then it flies into a frenetic pace that is extremely fresh. There is also a commanding purpose that they deliver it all with here and it really hits the spot. The change in direction for the pace on it is truly remarkable. It gives the song an added attractiveness that spruces it up considerably when it plays.

A commendable effort with a very decent cover of “Hotel Yorba” by THE WHITE STRIPES settled them into next song “Dragon’s Den”, which also brought their set to a close. How everything seems to fit on this song is quite effective. It hits you with an excellent pace and the ferocity with how it is delivered cuts inside expertly. It has a fire in the belly that showcases an intuitive side that comes across. In short, it comfortably sees them home and there is so much put into it that it comes as no surprise it is delivered in the fine fashion that it happens upon.

Next up from the band is an album that will be released in 2013 which we will review in a future issue of U&I Music Magazine.

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www.facebook.com/pages/Gypy-RebelRabble/153572621352869

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The Juice (Wednesday, 19th December, 2012)

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he fifth band chosen for our “10 Bands of Christmas” feature are THE JUICE. In addition to being regional finalists in this year’s “Arthur’s Day Play On The Final”, they are a band who have been gathering some serious momentum and industry notice in 2012.

They opened with a very neat and tidy number that is called “Jealousy”. What is a standout aspect in this song firstly is the searing guitar that really defines the way the song is pitched. It dictates the song’s pace and the overall end product keeps up with that. The song itself is a magnificent and full bodied effort that really takes over. It steps into the spotlight without any shyness whatsoever here. ”Ella Fontaine” is a song that is really heavy with the string arrangement side of things, but it zips along with an incredible amount of self-belief. The playing side of things is commendable and the guitar forms a neat and telling aspect on the bridge here that hangs sweetly. A very neatly delivered version of “Last Night” by THE STROKES worked the crowd very nicely and that loaned them the street cred to play “Fade”. This is another song that hangs in there neatly but it is also hoisted atop some lofty shoulders in how it is opened. The spacing and timing on show here are comfortably done and the rhythmic side of things swathes through in impeccable form.

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The catchy aspects of their sound are played to strength on next song “Stop The Lights”. The pacing side of things on this see it run admirably. The substance of the material is very full flavoured and there is an abundance of upbeat quality to it. Those two elements are also very well complemented by the delicate manner that those playing touches are applied. That was then followed up by another cover.

This time we had “So Lonely” by THE POLICE and again it was on the money with how the crowd warmed to it.

A song about dancing followed that one. ”Get It Into You” has a striking quality to how it opens. That then creates this striking tempo that has something that packs a punch yet springs from something very compact. This is a floorfiller that gets so much right here that it definitely could be a tune that is picked up on in 2013. With their closing two songs they keep things smooth and easy. ‘The Ending” ticks along nicely. There is a good buzz to how it plays and it is lightly elicited on the rhythm front. Even though that is the case, it still coasts along off its own bat and comes across rather fine. Closing the set was “Breakaway” which will be a track off their forthcoming album. This has a real delicate whip to it from the guitar that is remedied by a pounding that leads smartly into the bridge side of things.

The playing side of things here is very heavy but it also has a mainstream appeal going for it.

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For more information on the band check out the following link: http://thejuice.ie

Cat Dowling (Thursday, 20th December, 2012)

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ne of the most amazingly talented female artists currently playing on the unsigned circuit in Dublin and Ireland makes the list now on our “10 Bands of Christmas” feature. CAT DOWLING is an incredibly earnest artist and this is conveyed in her songs and also in the performance side of things every time that she takes to the stage. Getting her set off this evening was a track called “The Believer” which has a unique undertone in places to it that sees it somehow play as if it has a dalliance with American Indian music. There is a haunted and eerie enchantment to it that is tagged nicely in the lyrics. When this occurs the song steadies on the playing side and really levels out. Whereas the sultry is more to the fore on “Somebody Else” and there is a grace to how it is done. Also standing out on this one is a sense of grandness on the playing side. That is down in part to the riff on it that is very neat and assured, which when combined, showcases a very accomplished song and performance. The tempered side of her sound is again in show with “Come On”. A song that demands a great deal in how it breaks down, but there are bursts of real feeling with the little claps added later on as it plays. They actually give to it a real honesty and integrity. It is a humble little tune and that adds a little touch of class here.

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“Gospel Song” holds on a very neat slant. That polishes the song and shines it up, but away from how it looks it is all in how it plays that matters.

There is a lightness to feel in the sound here and there has been some real work put in on that side of things. It is that effort and graft that give it resonance. It has a muddy sound to it but it is a well taken tune that also has something of the very cool about it. On “Flesh & Blood” the performance side of her as an artist is very much on show. The quirky aspects of the performance are reminiscent of BJORK. The song itself has a grand bass/guitar driven sound that comes to the fore and this gives it a Gothic sense, but at the same time it produces something that is very catchy indeed on further inspection. With a very delicate Latin guitar fluctuation as it closes. It is pretty neat work it has to be said. “The Well Runs Dry” has a very specific sound to it. What is laid down musically on the arrangement side of things is very upstanding. That also leans into a very intriguing sound that is well expressed in how it sounds but also on the delivery side of things. Closing her set was current single “Cruel”. The opening to it has a very good pick up.

What it promises from that opening, it certainly delivers. The consistency to it is complemented by a passive beat that keeps an excellent rhythm in check from start to finish. The texture to it forms a rich and full bodied track that sees the compassionate side of the song abound. Overall everything very much wears its heart on its sleeve here and that heart pumps it out full blooded.

Accompanying her on stage tonight were MICHAEL FLEMING (Guitar) and STEPHEN KAVANAGH (Bass).

Up next from CAT DOWLING is an album due for release in 2013.

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For more information check out the following link: www.catdowling.com

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Juliet’s Rescue (Friday, 21st December, 2012) 2012 KING KONG CLUB WINNERS JULIET’S RESCUE are the seventh band to appear in our “10 Bands of Christmas” feature.

This band has been on our radar to see live for a number of months now and to finally see them play this evening was more than worth the wait.

There is something about their sound and their stage presence that really stands out when they play ”Right But Not”. It opens in a decent manner but what really sells this one is the way that it sounds as it plays and builds. Coming off the playing side of things is a sound that soars through the air. It scorches as it is played out and then when it drops down they don’t drop the ball either. There is a sprightly sound to it that works around a fantastic beat, and overall there is a very concise side to the playing of it from all corners.

That was then followed up by “Calvia” which again is impeccable on the sound side of things.

The instrumental aspects all combine and when they do they amplify how it sounds. This gives them top marks here because it doesn’t let down or let off in any way. It is a very full on delivery that is well formed, but in addition to it being catchy as hell it has substance. In terms of how to open a song, “A Goldmine” is a textbook way of showing you how to do so on the back of something solid. There is a very definitive sound to this that gets into a fine form when it hits its stride. The hanging from this is very lush but it is also shows real strength when it comes to the playing side of things. The bridge lies nicely on here too and the overall composition is wonderfully pieced together as opposed to being stitched together. That subtle difference is a big deal.

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“Heartbeats” has a calypso element that lends richly to things. It gives it fine form and sees it tick over nicely, but it is also very well tracked with the playing side and the performance here is properly done on the delivery side. It has a jump to it that is splendid, but has loudness from the sound too that pulses and helps it all fall in line neatly. A wonderful little ditty with Christmas classic “The Snowman” that was played differently and saw them put their stamp on it with their own spin. It was delivered with a swagger that gives a heavy sound to it, and with the swirl from the lead guitar they are really ‘walking in the air’ with their version of it. A very handsome tune on their hands with “Judas” and they have everything well sorted too with the breakdown on it. There is a spin from the guitar on show with the rest of their sound coming in to fill it. There is a very full sound to it that is backed up by a high tempo that is well judged in how it is placed. ”All For You” closed their set and this comes in off a very well timed intro. It is pretty as a picture in how it sounds and the flutter effect on the guitar and bass wrap it up nicely. It presents itself with a presence but there is a really good hook coming off the guitar sound. That spells out the intentions here and puts the pace on a very sure footing too that sees them home.

Currently they are in the studio recording their eagerly awaited on the KING KONG RECORDS label.

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For more info on the band check out the following link: julietsrescue.bandcamp.com

The Hot Sprockets (Friday, 21st December, 2012)

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lmost as if it was a perennial meeting of KING KONG WINNERS alumni last night as 2009 winners THE HOT

SPROCKETS were next to take to the stage after JULIET’S RESCUE. Recent finalists in the “Arthur’s Day Play On The Day Final” their sheer class just showed from the very second that they opened their set with “Boogie Woogie”. They arrived on stage this evening to close the night musically but they also took to it and proceeded to rule the roost with this song. This is really well defined. It is rich in tone and wears its heart on its sleeve. It flies and really has the proverbial bit between the teeth, which it then proceeds to chomp down on with intent. This is an exceptional opening number that laid down the marker for the rest of their set. ”Chant” is a signature tune that they have on their debut album “Honey Skippin’. It is very brief but how it is applied in their set adds a touch of class to their performance. It gives it a little precious quality that is a very tidy addition that feeds into “I’m Leaving”.

There is a skiffle-like sound to this that is rounded off by the bass that really gives it a riff that is showy and quite masterfully played. The delivery on it and the all-round blues feel to it are a real joy to behold.

How it plays also has a kick to it that Bruce Lee would be happy with, in particular how it is delivered live here tonight.

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“Bad Jim” made an appearance next. Not just in the set list but also by gracing us with his actual presence.

The song already has a lot going for it but this cameo just gives it an added bit. The roll from this is made even more explicit with the touch from the mandolin.

It really plays well and the pace on it is heaped on but it doesn’t weigh them down either. They really polished this song from start to finish and the performance side to it is all spot on. The timing and delivery from the band doesn’t put a foot wrong either. The pace on next track “The Weight” is staggering. It is excellently pitched and the frenetic way that it runs showcases something sharp on the playing side of things. The riff work from the playing is tantalising stuff and shows a real innovation on the sound side of things that really comes across lively.

This is a devil of a tune that plays like a demon.

Without skipping a beat they launched next track “Woman and Child”. Launch is the operative word here because the song really takes off and they really get to show what they are all about here on this one. It is a real tour-de-force on the playing and sound side of things, but that is underlined by a live performance that is a whirlwind. The whole package here is excellent.

They then continue to step up to the plate again with “Soul Brother”. To sum up how this one sounds – the band have coined something here that plays like a mint condition collector’s item. This is a real masterful tune that is backed up and is simply a song with an incredible heft to it that will lift you off your feet because it is that good. With “Cruisin’” they again hit everything head on and dead on at the same time.

The opening has a staunchness to it that exudes an attitude, but the playing side of it is backed up by an incredible looping sound that is rich in texture. It is delivered neat and tidy, with the harmonica and other blues aspects also giving a richness to it that catches everything expertly. It puts the band front and centre too with the way it is played. Then closing their set was “Honey Skippin’” and this has a real finesse to the timing that it opens with. The rhythm on it is evenly balanced and that evenness turns it into an amazing sounding track. It is essentially one of those songs that are good for the soul. The way that the guitar screeches on the bridge is amazing. That then set them up nicely for a jamming session at the end. This was just a flurry of wonderful musicianship and underlines why this band are regarded still as one of the best live bands on the Dublin circuit. The manner that all the playing comes together is more of a deliberate collision and what is staged from that bowls you over. A fine band on fine form here tonight really. www.thehotsprockets.com

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Created By Comets (Saturday, 22nd, 2012) The penultimate band in our “10 Bands of Christmas” feature is the incredible CREATED BY COMETS. This is a band that has a fanfare to their sound that lets you know instantly that wherever they are at is where the party is going on. They got straight into their set with “Get Up Offa’ That Thing” and with the brass section to their line-up they really shook things up and got the ball rolling.

It is a song with a very strong funky beat to it that clearly announces itself. It is impossible not to be swept up in the rhythm of this because it is so fantastic, both in terms of the delivery but also the substance side of it. It keeps flowing off the back of that and it is full of zest. With “Breeze Song” there is a sense of grandness and a stature to things. It is also a very pleasing song that eases into the groove about it and that maintains a nice and steady hand behind the playing. It is full of swish and very catchy, but everything that can go right for a tune they have really crammed it in here and it is a marvel to listen to. ”Falling Off The Wall” also seems to have graduated from the same school of music. It is straight into a steady and comely rhythm that has a consistent beat to it. When it drops the pace the rhythm still kicks in and keeps ticking over nicely. It is very crisp and clean. The bridgework on this one too is well delivered and everyone puts in a shift on it too that really pushes the envelope on it. It really has an enormous presence to it when it plays here.

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Three very decent covers followed that. First was “Someday” by THE STROKES, ”Son Of A Preacher Man” by DUSTY SPRINGFIELD followed and PERCY MAYFIELD’s “Hit The Road Jack” concluded this covers section of their set. All delivered very cleanly and with precision. Then an original song with “Leave It At The Door” was presented to us. There is a real nice drive behind this one. The spacing on the rhythm is efficiently done and top marks are deserved for that.

As a result of this feature the song really flies and is topped by a wealth of style and really has a quintessential element of cool about it. Into some more covers on their set, which also showcased a very good judgement of how to work a crowd. Firstly there were two songs from THE JACKSON 5. There was “Blame It On The Boogie” and “I Want You Back” that were really given something else when played. The brass section tacked on to both songs sells them. Then “I Feel Good” by JAMES BROWN showcased some more nice all round work from the band. With “Make It Real” there is a real sense of something in the air.

The guitar scores the intro here. There is a lot to respect on the playing side of things after the intro here but the guitar really forms the backbone of this song. It is the standout feature that drives it forward.

That said, the rest of the rhythm conveyed is top drawer stuff too. They then closed their set with a cover of “Little Talks” by OF MONSTERS AND MEN. It comes across as really inventive sounding because of the brass section and the way they play it live. It starts and ends impeccably and it sums up a really classy set from the band here this evening.

The band is currently recording an album and you can check them out on the following link: createdbycomets.bandcamp.com

Third Smoke (Sunday, 23rd December, 2012) The final band that we selected for our “10 Bands of Christmas” feature is THIRD SMOKE. The Dundalk band are fast emerging on the Irish music scene and tonight we caught them for their brief set at The Dame District Christmas Market and they didn’t disappoint. Channelling a lot into a brief set they got things off to a very fine start with “Come What May”. This is a song that has been tamed and reined in with the opening. Then when it does get going the whole pace for it falls into place. That then leaves them with a song in their hands that is cushioned by a well contained sound that plays really well. That was then followed up by a song with a more resolute feel in “Dark Tides”. The rhythm is very comfortable in its own skin and it is layered with the pace. That approach to things sees the song grow steadily and then grow into itself. When it builds up properly it has a broad definition to it. The blues slides coming off the guitar on show here make it a very striking effort.

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Upcoming single “Peacock” followed and this is something with a keen sense of the offbeat in the way the rhythm comes about. The playing side of things when it finds its feet and form really shows something that has proper composure to it. It plays on the experimental side here, but with the pace that comes into the equation it very much becomes a noble effort with the end product. That is because it is well developed as a tune. This helps it move nicely and the band let it breathe with the delivery. That is how it has such a good expansive sound going for it. With “Heavy Sunshine” things change on the vocal side of things.

The guitar that drives it on does so with a very definitive fashion to it. It structures the song around that consistent and deeply strummed sound before it bursts into rhythm. The tracking on it here is very much spot on, while the drumming lends to it a hefty and lean side with how it is rolled out. There is a very fine choke on the playing side all round here. They closed their set with current single “People Are Messy”. This fits around a very loose sounding opening that quickly finds itself surrounded by a very comfortable band playing to their strengths here. The guitar that is applied sends a delicate flush the right way of the song and it also pushes it to become a bigger song. When all the playing comes together as it does here it plays as a large sounding piece of work.

What is also neatly done by them here is the close of the song sung a capello. The manner that it is sung in brings the curtain down on their set with a nice touch of class and is also a great way to close out our feature for this year.

U & I Music Magazine

You can check the band out on the following link: www.facebook.com/ThirdSmoke

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