HWCH00724(Click Pics for Full Size)

If you follow the GP twitter feed you’ll know we were doing our best to cover this years Hard Working Class Heros Festival last weekend, a herculean effort seeing as we were faced with 100 acts over 6 venues, but being the little troopers we are, we battled on regardless and are proud to give you a run down on who we say and what we saw, plus a couple of pics from the event.

Day One

Theme Tune Boy (4 Dame Lane) – First act we caught on our world wind tour was Limerick rockers Theme Tune Boy. To be honest we went more to see the venue than the band, as from our pre-game festival planning meeting we realised that neither of us had ever caught a gig in 4 Dame Lane. Unfortunately the venue was better than the band, and the venue wasn’t great. Theme Tune Boy have hints of The Buzzcocks and Stiff Little Fingers but without the hooks.

HWCH00011

Heathers (Think Thank) – Next up was a trip to the Think Tank to catch former band of the week Heathers, and seeing as they were band of the week for over two months you know we wouldn’t miss it. Despite the MacNamara sisters insistence that they were suffering from colds their vocal harmonies were excellent and armed with only an acoustic guitar they truly are one of the most refreshing Irish acts going, very different and very talented.

HWCH00110

A Plastic Rose (The Button Factory) – We wandered over to The Button Factory to catch Dark Room Notes. The Band on before were northy post hardcore rockers Plastic Rose and I have to say we were impressed. Still a little be it rough but the elements are there for a great band, excellent vocals that suit the genre and solid musicianship, enjoyable set.

HWCH00217

Dark Room Notes (The Button Factory) – Next up was former gig of the week feature band Dark Room Notes and i have to say I was disappointed, their impersonal approach on this occasion came off as cold rather than mysterious, they seemed like a band who didn’t really want to be there. Musically though the group were good, they have a distinctive sound that is full of dark hooks. I reckon if you catch them on form they could impress, but seeing how their album has been picked up internationally, it might be difficult to catch them around these parts again.

HWCH00328

Heritage Centre (Academy 2) – Last band of the night was friends of the site Heritage Centre. Just back from recording in Canada, the band played the brand of catchy indie pop that has made them hot property. The band played a mix of old and new songs, and despite inisting they were a bit rusty, sounded great.

HWCH00484

Neosupervital (Twisted Pepper) – It turned out we had enough time to catch Neosupervital in Twisted Pepper after Heritage Society and what a pleasure it was, Tim O’Donovan was in fine form and let loose with his unique brand of electro-pop, even walking through the (sizable) crowd and climbing up on the bar mid song (see above). Excellent stuff.

Day Two

HWCH00526

Rory Grubb (Think Thank) – First up on the Saturday was Clare native Rory McGrubb playing some well crafted songs. One of things about this festival that annoys me is the fact the poor lad was playing to a room of no more than 7 people, and at one stage had to shout at the sound engineer to get one of his instruments into the mix. Despite this I enjoyed his set. Using loops he created great melodies, but the drawback of this is that by the time he have all the elements going the song has already been going for two minutes. If he brought a few more people on board to play instruments and give his songs a more instant bite he could be very good indeed.

HWCH00578

O Emperor (ALT) – Next up was a stroll to Andrew’s Lane to catch O Emperor. The well dressed cork natives played an enjoyable set of well polished tunes. They have been getting some good press lately and didn’t disappoint, their brand indie rock of going down well with all in attendance.

HWCH00627

Cutaways (Academy 2) – We didn’t know much about Cutaways going into the Academy but we liked them a lot when we came out. The catchy pop-infused 3-piece have all the fun of fellow northern rockers Ash and are full of hooks and riffs.

HWCH00664

Fionn Regan (The Button Factory) – One of the headline acts of the weekend was a must see in our books and wow, what a show. Now sporting a full band, Fionn Regan really has reached a new level. His new songs sounded tight and his old ones had the crowd in the palm of his hand, this guy has the potential to make it far. The full band set-up really reminded me of a Highway 61 revisited Bob Dylan. With former Turn stars Ollie Cole and Gavin Fox you know Fionn has two experienced heads to help him make the next push. Great Gig.

HWCH00796

Adebisi Shank ( ALT) – To round of the night we made our way over to ALT for the lunatics that are Adebisi Shank, which went down like marmite with the people I was with. Personally I enjoyed them immensely, mostly because Adebisi Shank enjoyed themselves immensely. Alright, they do need a vocalist, but for sheer musical inventiveness you have to give these guys credit, an aural assault but one done with craft and a high level of musician ship. Still though they are definitely a marmite band, but even if you don’t like them, you have to respect them.

Day Three

HWCH01102

Planet Parade (Think Thank) – Day three and we were feeling the burn, HWCH is a marathon not a sprint, but after a night in The Oak it was feeling like a polar expedition. First up was another night started in the Think Thank in temple bar. Planet Parade are a indie 3-piece hailing from Clane, Kildare and were really quite good. They have that indie sound you get with acts like The Kooks and Orson that is pleasent and always a winner in the music crowd. Cheered me up and renewed my faith in the festival.

HWCH01152

Tiny Magnetic Pets (Twisted Pepper) – Next was a bit of an odd one, Tiny Magnetic Pets have been doing very well for themselves, getting radio airplay with their excellent Goldfrapp style electro synth pop. Paula Gilmer looks and sounds like a star, one of the best vocal performances of the weekend. This group is definitly a little bit different to others about this weekend and that can only be a good thing. Good performance.

HWCH01235

Verona Riots (Academy 2) – Verona Riots stood out on the lineup as a band I should know, the name sounded so familiar but I couldn’t sing you a song. What better way to solve this problem than checking them out, and I have to say I realised I didn’t know any songs because they were very very bland. I usual try not to be critical of a band as i feel it benefits no-one, but Verona riots songs, while musically sound, were just very generic. They didn’t stamp them with any distinctive personality for which you could say “Thats a Verona Riots Song”.

HWCH01336

Killer Chloe (4 Dame Lane) – We have heard good things about Killer Chloe. The band picked up a spot at Castlepalooza this year by winning a Hot Press Competition so we thought we’d check them out. Firstly, 4 Dame lane is not a nice venue at all, the band must have felt they were playing someones living room. And off the band, I’m a bit undecided, at times they are style over substance and then a moment later they hit the nail on the head. Their new wave sound is definitely “in” at the moment but their music similarity to the killers at times makes it seem like their a cover band, they are another band who need to get in touch with their own identity. Musically though, you can’t say they are not talented and they definitely enjoy what they do. Still a bit to go to live up to the hype but they do show promise.

HWCH01343

202s (ALT) – I won’t lie, we headed over to Andrew’s Lane to see Super Extra Bonus Party but the venue was almost a full act behind schedule so we got a chance to see most of the 202s. I saw a bit of the band at Castlepalooza this year so I knew it would be a good show from the Limerick duo. Excellent set, they’re a band that manage to show glimpses of The Flaming Lips followed swiftly by a bit of Doves. Actually to be even more percise they remind of another Limerick band, Woodstar (connection?). Other findings were that Shoot you down is still a song and a half.

In addition to the above acts, we also caught bits and bobs of others but not enough to give them an honest review, so apologies to Airstrip One, Hired Hands,  Tidal District and Sweet Jane, we’ll catch you again.

Summary –  Good fun this weekend in Dublin City, the HWCH crew really excelled themselves. The addition of HWCH & The City really added something different and the festival’s industry talks and photo expos really gave the city a cultural shot in the arm. My main criticism of this year’s festival was the venue layout, it may seem petty but the distance between the Abby St. venues and the others was a pain to trek given the window between bands, also we found that most of the venues were only half full (optimist right here) most of the time. Maybe having less bands in 4 venues would be a better option, but at the same time we respect that isn’t what the festival is about, its about giving the best unsigned and unappriciated bands around a chance to make an impression, and for that the festival delivered in spades.

Words & Photos by Kev Meagher

Copyright Goldenplec.com2009