I’ve said it before and this time is no different, Whelans is probably my favourite venue in Dublin to see a gig. I’ve seen plenty of gigs across numerous venue’s and the intimate nature of a Whelans gig where the crowd are so close to the band, there is no barrier, no security, its just you and the band. Unfortunately not every gig can be run this way but when you get a great band into this venue it can be amazing.

Saturday i went along to see Kid Karate and Ham Sandwich tear it up in Whelans, i was a big fan of Ham Sambo around the time of the “Carry The Meek”  release, i even got the pleasure of catching them on the BBC Introducing stage at Glastonbury 2008, so i was excited to see them back in action and with a fist full of new material, Kid Karate i had heard the name of bandied about before, but not seen live.

Around half 8 Kid Karate hit the stage, they are a 2 piece, guitar/synths and drums duo who play a trashy punk rock type of sound. Personally i wouldnt be a massive fan of trash rock, i did however like the beats and riffs they had going, i’m sure anyone who is into trashy shouting at the mic kind of music would absolutely love Kid Karate, i was 50:50, i was tapping the foot and feeling the dance groove from all the tracks they played as the guitar riffs and drum beats werepretty good and fun and upbeat, i just wouldn’t be a fan of the shouting vocal approach, but thats just me, i have no doubt there is an audience for this band. The venue was slowly filling as their set unfolded and had the crowd been there to see them entirely i imagine there would have been a lot more dancing, it’s the bain of all the support acts playing to half a crowd. I’m undecided, i’d see them again to see if my mind can be swayed to either side of the fence.

Kid Karate left the stage amid  throwing the guitar to the front of the crowd at the ground, they came, they saw, they tried to destroy the place. The venue had filled up nicely as Whelans can do in the blink of an eye. Our headline act appeared on stage to a huge cheer, Ham Sandwich had finally returned.

This as far as i’m aware was their first gig since bassist John Moore left the band due to ‘typographical error’ and i know John had written a large segment of Carry the Meek, so i was intrigued as to any new songs i might hear to see what the future of Ham Sambo without John will be like.

So they rolled on stage, Podge dressed like rupert the bear in a dashing orange/pink  hue with butterfly design on it and ultimately comfortable looking cloth trousters. No dapper a man in Dublin. Niamh not to be outdone by the flamboyant Podge came out in a custom made dress made for the event. I’m not sure many woman could have pulled it off but Niamh manages to make what i can only best describe as a Xena Warrior Princess style outfit look great.

The band kicked into Concrete and White Fox to open the show before indulging some banter with the crowd about each others outfits. Confetti rained as they burst into St. Christoper a clear crowd favourite.  The band then played a brand new song for us called Animals which just like the previously heard new single The Naturist had a fun upbeat indie-pop sound. I can forsee that if this is the type of music to be produced by the new Ham Sandwich we could be hearing them on the radio a lot more in coming months. Quite happy with themselves Podge passes around some Buck fast for revelers to enjoy.

The crowd roared in agreement as Niamh announced the next song would be Click Click Boom, one of the marquee single’s from their debut album, Podge at this point was in full flow and told jokes and had banter with Niamh throughout the set saying strange and wonderful things that had the entire crowd laughing. Confetti continued to rain down as the band continued the music party with songs like Thru the grass and the powerful Words mixed with new songs like Pillar of Salt (current working title of that track)  and Oh Oh (which i think is new from my memory) and of course the brand new single, which is is what they were here to release, The Naturist. They finished up in a rain of Confetti with podge directing the crowd to point at light top left and top right of the stage creating a swaying hand effect before cracking into a My Bloody Valentine cover (When you sleep) and leaving us with  Nevertalk with Podge playing while standing on top of a Tom drum which was at the front of the stage and playing to the adoring crowd. A triumphant return in my humble opinion, a thoroughly engaging show led by 2 enigmatic characters in Niamh and Podge, showmen through and through.

After tonight i cant help but feel that it’s now a fact that Ham Sandwich are back, and in a big way! i’ll leave you with Podge’s parting words to the crowd

Shop in Spar, Stay Away from Centra Kids :)

Setlist

Concrete
White Fox
St.Chistopher
Animals
Click Clcik Boom
Oh Oh
Floors
Pillar of Salt(Working Title!!)
Thru the Grass
Keepsake
Words
The Naturist
When you sleep (My Bloody Valentine)
Nevertalk

Ham Sandwich also have a brand spanking new website, check that out here
www.eathamsandwich.com

http://www.myspace.com/kidkaratemusic / http://www.myspace.com/eathamsandwich

Photo’s By Alessio Michelini
Click HERE for the full 63 photo’s – here’s some of our favourites from the set