tune is off the album Welcome to the Cusp (available on Itunes)
giveamanakick are playing the Academy Dublin This Thursday Night
w/ Special guests Adebisi Shank, Revolution for Dogs and Deaf Animal Orchestra.
All profits go to two great causes Special Olympics Ireland and Pieta House

continue reading>>

The Academy is really starting to grow on me a lot as a venue. It really is just the right size for hearing great music and ensures that you;re never too far from the bands. The sound, while sketchy at last weeks MTV gig, improves dramatically at last nights Black Rebel Motorcycle Club gig.

Not having seen this band in about 6 years I wasn't sure whether they were one of those acts that I listened to years ago but not arsed about now. Surprisingly enough they turned out to rock the fucking house. It would seem that the Academy is just the place for them because despite the fact that there's only 3 of them they fill the whole room with Rock. Epileptics however should stay away. The use of strobes during the show is crazy!!! and at some points almost hallucinatory.

As was commented on the night by the person accompanying me its always really great to see a band taking the gig down a notch by cracking out an acoustic number or two. Too many bands these days feel the need to lash their way through a really heavy set without taking pause for breath which can get quite tiresome. The impact of laters songs can be heightened so much more if the tone is slowed down prior to that.

Definitely a band I'll listen to again from now on.

continue reading>>

SO just how good are MGMT? Well the last time they played here two months ago I was reminded over and over again how good a gig it was by all my friends who had been there and it had been pointed out to me many times since then that I am less of a man for missing it. Oh well what can I say? This time however I will not miss it and I will enjoy it despite the fact that "Kids" has me driven demented thanks to that arsehole Sinister Pete who plays it incessantly on Phantom each morning. Clearly they are as sick of it as I am because instead of actually playing the song live they do a karaoke rendition of it to a backing track as their opening song. I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt that this is actually their mindset because the first thing I said was "What the fuck is this shit?".

After that its down to business and they actually pick up their instruments to play a fairly short and predictable set. They don't seem to be loving it but then again when you are the opening band and your set is hampered by dodgy sound then there really isn't much you can do. Great tunes and doesn't take away from enjoyment of the album.

The Futureheads however can go suck it. Barely watched their blah blah indie punk silliness.


CSS however prove once again that they're a live force to be reckoned with. Not content with playing Ireland seemingly every second month, they also seem to want to play every venue in the country as well. Perhaps the Academy is too small for them. Perhaps not. Either way they make it their own and show us all how to have a good time in the hot humid town by looking like a band who enjoy playing music with each other just as much as we love hearing it. The chemistery between band members is awesome and they come across as genuinely fun people that one may want to have a beer with. Or, lets be honest, sleep with.

The songs from their forthcoming album sound great and make up for the lacklustre first single and the set pretty much covers everything from their first album (except for "Fuck off is the only thing you have to show" which I love) including the wretched "Alcohol" before finishing with a kick-ass "Lets make love and listen to Death From Above"

Worth checking out at the summer festivals? I think so.

continue reading>>

To celebrate the release and launch of their new album 'White Wonder',Crayonsmith have decided to only put a meagre €5 door-tax on the launch gig in The Academy this Saturday 19th April.

They be going in to the night with DJ sets from Skinny Wolves and Out On A Limb till 2.30am after the gig.

Also on the bill are Cap Pas Cap and Bats.
So 3 bands + DJs in a major venue on a Saturday night til 2.30am for €5!

continue reading>>