16/12/2005 The Vamps @ the Dublin Castle

Subject	The Vamps @ the Dublin Castle
DateCreated	12/17/2005 10:49:00 AM
PostedDate	12/16/2005 10:27:00 AM
	Went to the Dublin Castle to see The Vamps. Before they took to the stage new band Cuban Heels got up and played. I'd seen their name in gig guides and so on but knew nothing about them. They play indie rock in a similar style to Mohair, early Blur, Supergrass, and Reef - indie but really rocking. The addition of a keyboard player made them stand out from the crowd a bit, and the keyboards were deployed in a more considered and effective manner than most bands manage. Unlike some other bands I've accidentally discovered at the Dublin Castle (Keane 2 or 3 years ago for instance) I was very impressed and I can see them picking up a lot of airplay and doing well for themselves. The Vamps were excellent. I've seen them a few times under their old name The Gems, but tonight their sound seemed much harder and heavier although the lineup hasn't changed. Even though the band have a darker more Goth image, they have some songs that are actually very catchy and poppy. Unlike many bands, they remembered to write some good hooks, and the band are also quite distinctive on stage - without going over the top as some bands tend to, and then wonder why people don't take them seriously.