24/11/2022 Marc Valentine Band + The Speedways @ The Hope & Anchor

Thursday night is the new 'Friday Night. Back to one of my favourite and easiest to get to venues for this. I'm glad to finally catch The Speedways after not being able to see them at the Pump It Up Powerpop Weekender earlier this year.

Their tuneful and energetic powerpop is quite infectious. They are good musicians who write catchy songs and are one of those bands who make you think "Why aren't these guys all over the radio?"

The Speedways are polished and dynamic performers - well worth your time if you get the chance to see them.

Much the same can be said of tonight's headliners. Marc Valentine is best known for fronting the excellent Last Great Dreamers, but that band are taking a break for a while so Marc is keeping busy playing with his solo band and releasing an album of his own - Last Great Dreamers guitarist Slyder Smith is also currently doing the same with his other band The Oblivion Kids. Slyder's band is taking a heavier direction while Marc's band are sticking more with a 1970's/80's pop/glam rock feel. Their image reflects this. Last Great Dreamers never achieved the success they deserved - another band who seemed to be in the right place at the right time but never got the breaks. However, they learned their trade well and Marc's polished pop/rock songwriting skills are being put to good use here.

Marc's new band are all very experienced musicians who have been round the block a few times. Great players with good stage presence - even if they do feature possibly the world's most miserable looking guitarist! He might look like his dog's just died, but he is a superb player and performer - throwing shapes as he peels off fluid guitar lines. 

Unlike his LGD bandmate Slyders new band, Marc's band sounds more similar to their other outfit - probably due to Marc's catchy pop songwriting. This band look and sound good and are another band well worth catching if they head your way...

12/11/2022 Pussycat & the Dirty Johnsons + Pollypikpocketz @ The Dublin Castle

Back to the Dublin Castle yet again - I seem to have been to this legendary Camden venue quite a few times over the last year. And I've seen the headliners a few times at this venue as well. To be honest it starts to get difficult after  while writing about the same bands in the same venues - usually playing most the same songs. But there are certain bands that make me keep wanting to go back to see them again - because I know it's always going to be a good night. Tonight two of those bands are on the same bill.

Pollypikpocketz are always highly entertaining with their multicultural mix of punk, metal, and other more exotic influences.

I've seen this band loads of times now and they never fail to grab my attention.

The headliners have been very good at grabbing my attention for quite a few years. Pussycat and the Dirty Johnsons have been regular performers at the Dublin Castle for some time now. And with good reason - they always get a good crowd in and a great night is guaranteed!

With their mix of rockabilly mixed with punk attitude (and sometimes disco beats!) there is plenty to engage. Many of the songs are very dark lyrically, but there is humour in there too. And it doesn't hurt that their singer has an amazing image - if you see this band you will definitely remember them!

Pussycat and the Dirty Johnsons are always a lot of fun! This Saturday night in Camden once again proves that live music post-Covid is far from dead - you just have to know where to look for it.