| Black Bear Saloon/Dirty Stevie: Lavery's Belfast |
 But fuelled by angry lyrics and raging grunge-tinged riffs they perform a blistering set.
Long-term Belfast scene stalwarts Dirty Stevie (support act) have gone through something of a metamorphosis in recent years. Still carrying the same swagger we’ve come to love, their bolshy machismo has taken on a softer edge – and it suits them surprisingly well. As ever it’s a tight performance and the harmonies between the classic gravel vocals of frontman Smitty and guitarist Ryan are perfect. To say they’ve mellowed would be an outright lie, there’s too much fire and rock n roll flame for that. But their Oasis-styled attitude seems to be more humble and understated as they rumble and rock through their Greg Dulli-inspired sound. Don’t be fooled the Dirt haven’t gone soft on us, tracks such as Trying To Get To Heaven In A Stolen Car are just as big and overwhelming as ever before.
All this means that Black Bear Saloon (pics) have set themselves a tough act to follow; their sharp punk-rock makes less of an impact than it otherwise would have done. But fuelled by angry lyrics and raging grunge-tinged riffs they perform a blistering set of bizarrely catchy tracks including the excellent Something to Strive For and Just A Plaything – a deceptively bouncy, jagged four minutes of energy. It feels a touch subdued, however, but with sparks of real potential. Time infused with their innate passion will see this band move from strength to strength. Review: Louise McHenry
Only registered users can write comments. |
||||
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
Download latest issue Read more...
Download issue 49 Read more...
Connected: a magazine with a fanzine’s heart – forever seeking new music and gigs we like the
Cover pic by Olly Hearsey - www.ollyhearsey.co.uk Read more...
School’s out, work’s out, spending’s out, saving’s as likely as another Solas festival, haven’s as likely as another Solas festival; sunbathing, however, is a joyously regular possibility and that, in this kip, is beyond enough to herald the remaining summer months with aplomb aplenty. Some of you, including me, have already been finely frizzled at quite literally the time of our Life. The festival’s transplant a minor miracle and as positive a cue for the sun as we’ve seen for longer than any memory matters. Sonar, Sea Sessions and newbie No Place Like Dome have bridged the gap since nicely, and both Knockanstockan and Glasgowbury stand ready and waiting this July.. Read more... Ninth year, times the fifth month = our 45th issue. Freaky... Meant to be? A lazy intro?? 50/50 I'd say... (I'll start again then, shall I?) First sun, second wind, and two of Ireland's finest... Yes, traditionally May gives way for a lighter brand of lunacy. Midnight mischief dons her backpack and shades, as the doom and gloom fades, and flirts her way to a festive fumble. Ditching larks in the dark, she's set to make hermark, in as visible a fashion as feasible. You'll succumb to her powers, unlike those fun-fearing cowards, and climb on for the ride of your life. DOWNLOAD ISSUE 45 Read more... 
It's not some naff teeny-rock band, it's not a particularly funny episode of Family Guy, it's certainly not a calamitously over-hyped American President, and neither is it the slowest route imaginable Townsend Street to Enniskerry...
No folks, this 44 refers to (drum roll) Connected's latest issue.
Our 44th effort to introduce great new music, our 44th reasonably proud moment, and my 44th attempt at a witty intro...
(How's it going so far?? No? I concur...)
Anyway we'll try not to get bogged down in...
Read more...
 The launch party for Ireland's first camper and scooter festival will be held at Dublin's newest venue the Complex on Smithfield square...
Read more...
Nouveaunoise  Feb 26 – Hertz u - DJ Storm of Metalheadz (main pic)...
Read more...
Tickets selling fast for Panda Bear (AKA Animal Collective's Noah Lennox), grab 'em while you can 
Read more...
 March 16th sees Dublin host both Mixmaster Mike and Laurent Garnier. Decisions, decisions...
Read more...
Love or loathe chart-topping Riverside, it won't stop the hoards descending on his debut Irish gig on March 6th.. 
Read more...
Mr Motivator announced for Snowbombing. Let me hear ya say 'Huh!'. 
Read more...
Read more... 
Connected says g’day to Aussie rockers Eskimo Joe- sending in an intrepid reporter to investigate the future plans of these famously refrigerated flaming galahs. Read more... Peter: "We explained politely that we are doing more to encourage, sustain and
develop homegrown music in this country than they are, on a fraction of
what it costs to furnish their new office. I think they got the hint."
Read more...
 Bob: "People can wear what they want but we do strongly encourage all domains
to let their hair down and feel the freedom to express their creativity
through fancy dress... And yes we do have costume camp!"
Read more...
 Fernando: "I have been trying for four years to book LTJ Bukem for Ireland (either
for a festival slot or a club show) and I almost cried when I got the
“YES” directly from him!"
Read more...
 Jamie (Bastardo Electro): "Hell yeah. There is some amazing music coming from Irish labels and producers at the moment"
Read more...
 Jimmy Smith- "We've 100% artistic freedom (on the new album). The record label was never involved in the
music or recording. They were very patient especially with this second
one-Total Life Forever. They just waited until we'd finished"
Read more...
Read more...  We would like to think we are a very eclectic group here at Connected. So in the spirit of diversity we bring you some roooock!
Read more...
 He's famed for penning 'Bad Things' - the title track for smash hit vampire show 'True Blood'. What we wanna know is- Does he suck?
Read more...
 Amy Quirke gives us the monthly round up of January in Mullingar...(main pic Alison Curtis)
Read more...
 But the writhing mass explodes for the fast-food themed party-ode 'Down at McDonnelzz', surging forward during 'Dirty Ball' and love-song-to-electronics 'Synthesiser' in desperate hope of feeling even the slightest touch of Valentine's pimp-ish pinstripes.
Read more...
 These guys didn’t mess about as they launched straight into a set that was packed with more effervescence than a Berocca in a glass of Red-Bull!
Read more...
 Amy Quirke gives us the run down for November in Mullingar... (main pic Giveamanakick)
Read more...
 After fifteen years the trio’s talent is sometimes forgotten but live they ignite into a ball of fierce energy and tight performance.
Read more...
Propaganda hosts the Oxegen 2010 official pre-party this Saturday night at The Academy. Read more... |
With a twist of hope, a dash of industry hatred, and a pitcher of
Nightflight, D-light; tools and toys, Clockwork Noise; some Bitches, one Bob and a Tubelord... Reader’s Wives, Supafast jives, and the ever present Sounds Of System Breakdown... Yes as we near the end of lap one of Ireland’s race to the bottom; the pits, indeed, have claimed many – and as we ponder the frugal future of publishing, pink skinned from slaps aplenty, it’s amazing what sights are now glimpsed around the next bend...
look of; and steering clear of the same old suspects, covered by everyone else, all the time... Populist photocopying – while no doubt pretty and a great way to parlay – is not the objective here. This winds some people up no end. We couldn’t care less. Self important? Silver spooned?
Michael Jackson, MTV, Hiroshima. Yes August certainly has a lot to answer
issue-44web
From this season of swan songs, a sibling style springs. Bucking trends, endeavouring to make amends, for our dear departed comrades... No Event Guide, no State, only that rag that I hate (which is about as useful and relevant as rickets). But we can't let this year, subside our cheer,
were making waves this time two years ago. After garnering
much attention following support slots for Super Extra Bonus Party and
Messiah J and The Expert, not to mention some phenomenal headline dates
in Galway Dublin and Cork things were looking very bright indeed for
the West coast duo. But then they disappeared. Lost to the ether... or
so we thought.
If Jungle was massif and Drum and Bass punctuated your summer of love, chances are, your bass was brought by Bukem.
Oscar winner, singer, songwriter, actor.... Jaysus he must be wrecked! Glen Hansard wins over one of our own with a powerful performance laden with character, charisma and charm.
Passes up for grabs, two passes for each winner
