Kerbdog at The Academy Friday 14^th November 2014

“Welcome to the mid-life crisis tour”. It’s the sardonic first words from Cormac Battle on Kerbdog’s first full line-up tour in twenty years. Battle was in radio show mode, full of banter for their gig in The Academy. Whereas some bands babble inanely to fill an awkward silence, Battle is in full flow – engaging, frequently hilarious and really rising to the occasion. Returning lead guitarist Billy Dalton asked Battle how his re-tuned guitar sounded – “it sounds shit Billy” was the dry witted response.

From the opener Pledge it was clear this is a sort of 1994 post grunge reunion gig for both band and fans. Battle urged the crowd to give the security staff something to do and they duly obliged in a good natured way. The resulting crowd surfing and moshing felt like you had been transported back to being part of Nirvana’s Smells like Teen Spirit video (minus the man with the mop).

Kerbdog back to their original line up sound heftier and their dual guitars filled the venue. Though many of their songs are rhythm driven it’s the added riffs which provide the real crunch. Fan favourite Mexican Wave is whipped out early and sounds as urgent as ever. Such esteem is their album ‘On The Turn’ held in, it’s easy to forget that it was their second album. From their debut album, End Of Green had already been played, but it was the double whammy of Earthworks and Dry Riser that really catches the attention. The heavy rumbling bass of Colm Fennelly provides the propulsion which gives the latter two songs their energy, lapped up by the crowd.

Billy Dalton was clearly relishing being back in the saddle, playing to the crowd, showing off axe shredding poses and savouring being back in the band playing to a packed venue. It’s been a very long time coming and the extra body on stage in simplest terms provides Kerbdog with added stage presence. The crowd though are most familiar with the tunes from ‘On The Turn’ and Kerbdog give them what they want. On The Turn, Secure and Severed provided moments for the crowd to sing back.

Since it’s been such a while since they’ve last toured, a lack of encore wouldn’t have been forgivable. The encore represented both ends of their career; Dummy Crusher (one of the first and rarely played live songs) and their newest song Electricity were given an airing. During the encore an extra guest guitarist joins the band on stage, freeing Battle up to concentrate on vocals. It’s rounded off by a rapturous and full blooded JJ’s Song. It completes a triumphant start to Kerbdog’s tour and one got the feeling this could be the start of a new chapter in their story rather than just a farewell reunion tour.