Daniel Lynch Writing

Published Stereoboard.com http://www.stereoboard.com/content/view/161241/9 11-08-10 Little did I know standing in a sweaty, packed out tent at Oxegen a few years ago that the band I was listening to would very soon become one of my favourite bands. I was hugely sceptical of the whole Indie genre having been brought up on a staple diet of rock, metal and blues, but with no other bands on at the same time I had any interest in, I had thought why not. After being dragged to the tent by a friend who had heard these guys were good, I was less than enthusiastic when the five-piece took to the stage. The band conformed to my preconceived idea of five lads in skinny jeans, top shop t shirts, pointy shoes and funny haircuts and I felt myself groan at the thought of being bombarded by the latest in indie offerings. A far cry from my staples of rock and blues, but I forced myself to be open minded and give the band a chance. Very quickly however, my whole attitude changed. Dancy upb...

Published BBC ATL http://www.bbc.co.uk/northernireland/atl/review_specific342456.shtml 30-06-10 By the time The Virgin Marys take to the stage Queen's Mandela Hall is already nearing capacity. The crowd laps up the rock hybrid offering and more than a few heads are bobbing to some excellently composed songs punctuated by offbeat rhythms, unexpected silences and equally unforeseen explosions of noise. Comparisons with Biffy Clyro and even Led Zeppelin have been made of the trio and aren't exaggerations by any stretch. Classic/hard rock is a difficult genre to find originality in, but The Virgin Marys have managed to do the impossible. Combining classic rock with a more modern Biffy-esque stop-start staccato rhythmic twist gives the trio a unique dynamic enjoyed by very few, if any, other bands. The irresistible blues shuffle of 'Out Of Mind' and catchy riffs in 'Bang Bang Bang' leave the crowd near stunned and The Virgin Marys leave the stage to rap...

15-06-10 It has been said more times than I care to count that I was born a generation late. Many of my own family and friends award me this label, and really, it’s not one I’m overly ashamed of. Why should I hide the fact that my idols are the greats of yesteryear who, for the most part, have already passed on untimely or otherwise? This weekend I was reassured that I wasn’t the only one of my kind. Chaos descended on the Donegal town of Ballyshannon as thousands of fans of Rory Gallagher flocked to the area for a 5-day celebration of the man and his music. For many of the younger fans that didn’t get a chance to see Gallagher in action, this is about as close as you can get to the real thing with scores of tribute acts playing in the various venues the town has to offer. The beginning of the festival was marked by the unveiling of a fantastic statue of Gallagher in the centre of the town. Unlike the dignified pose of the Phil Lynott statue in Dublin, this captures Gal...

Ramble on Jack White Published Stereoboard.com http://www.stereoboard.com/content/view/97494/9 21-05-10 It’s the kind of thing my dad would call racket. Heck to me it’s a hell of a racket too, but for some inexplicable reason, it’s fantastic. To start with, somebody who’d only started playing a week before could have been drumming. And yet, the simplicity works. It lets the rest of the music and melody (for want of a better word) do the work. The rest of the music emanates from a variety of beaten up, plastic in some cases, dishevelled guitars. For any guitarist who knows their stuff, ‘tone’ is something of a holy grail. You either got it or you ain’t. Variables can be guitar wood, room temperature, even the sweat on your hands according to some connoisseurs. A plastic guitar is almost sacrilege.   And when the second guitar was obtained in exchange for moving a fridge, you know you’re not dealing with the best of equipment. But somehow it sounds amazing. It’s the absolu...

Published BBC ATL http://www.bbc.co.uk/northernireland/atl/review_specific330776.shtml 06-05-10 On any other bill, all of tonight’s bands could have been headliners. Opening band Phoenix Fire toy with the delicacy of shy, unassuming pop for no more than a few bars, before breaking into a frenzy of finely tuned chaos. As ever, the dual vocals of David Jackson and Fiona O’Kane are the driving force and are used to devastating effect. Each song arrives in waves with music and vocals creating a tsunami of a climactic cadence before guitars and drums retreat to the still waters of stripped back musical serenity. An impressive crowd responds to Jackson’s boyish charm; his enthusiasm and sheer enjoyment of the experience infect the crowd as one and the band leave the crowd practically begging for more. Here Comes The Landed Gentry take to the stage to a smattering of applause before stealing the crowds attention with a relentless set. Theirs is a very different affair to Phoenix Fir...

Can't remember where this was published. But it was inspired by a trip to Dublin with The Varionis and after seeing the great bands on Grafton Street. Having just played a gig in Dublin this weekend, the comment by Rory McConnell in an interview on this very site more than hit home. Reading it first time I did agree, I thought I understood what he meant and I moved on to the next sentence. It was only when I got to Dublin on Saturday afternoon that the words took on a new magnitude. ‘ We’re just beginning to catch up with the rest of the UK and Ireland . It’s a good start, but we’ve a long way to go.’ Prior to my most recent visit to Dublin this weekend, I was there in February for a brief stay and a few pints. Although it didn’t strike me at the time as overly nouvelle, I looked on with admiration in Grafton Street as full bands plugged in and played. This is a far cry from your man down the town with the violumpet (so named by my brother, whether it’s the p...

Published BBC ATL  http://www.bbc.co.uk/northernireland/atl/review_specific317762.shtml 04-03-10 SO:NI line ups these days are becoming quite predictable. Maybe it’s due to a lack of suitable bands in an indie dominated city, or simply a result of the quality of the bands so frequently on the bill, who knows? What’s certain is, the bands on show face an uphill task of sounding truly original in a very limited genre. Although not strictly classic rock, tonight’s openers ‘The Dead Presidents’ more than hold their own on tonight’s bill. It’s clear front-man/bassist Matt Wilson was in a Thin Lizzy tribute band- he oozes the confidence, charisma and showmanship Phil Lynott was famous for. Matt however, is his own man, and has written a strong set of songs that has recently earned the band many fans as word spreads. Tom Downey on guitar draws heavy influence from the likes of John Frusciante, transforming the performance from straight classic rock, to a more funky, soulful aff...

This review was subsequently butchered, putting it kindly, by the kind editorial team at the Gown Newspaper (QUB newspaper). The 'editor' completely changed the format, adding a narrative which at times didn't make sense and used words (s)he did not know the meaning of. Fortunately, not many people read the Gown.... Here's the interview as it was originally submitted. I was lucky enough to steal a minute with local rockers A Plastic Rose backstage after their headline Radar gig at the Speakeasy. The lads buck the obnoxious, self-centred musician trend in style, instead coming across as four really down to earth, approachable, everyday guys. As expected they are surrounded by well-wishers but I managed to extract Gerry, Ian, Troy and Dave from the melee of fans to quiz them about the gig, their self-created genre, their upcoming tour and their imminent single launch. Ian (vocals, guitar): ‘Playing the Speakeasy you get a buzz, there’s lots of random passers ...

Published BBC ATL and live on air review http://www.bbc.co.uk/northernireland/atl/review_specific310113.shtml 21-1-10 Perhaps it was the weather, but this month’s T wo Step hasn’t attracted a massive crowd as electro two-piece Uber Glitterati take to the stage. Elizabeth McGowan’s vocals shone through the melee of synths and bass, but did little to stir a mostly uninterested crowd from already established conversation. Appropriate applause was the customary audience reply to every song, but the duo’s original material lacked the kick, the bite, the killer touch needed to turn heads and demand attention. Disappointingly, a cover of Donna Summer’s ‘I Feel Love’ was the highlight of an opening act who might not have been the best suited to this bill. The Good Fight greet a marginally bigger crowd, but play with the energy of a headliner. New single ‘Kick Start’ and ‘Electric Flow,’ have the qualities of radio friendly pop, yet the quirky, unpredictability of a developing band f...

Published BBC ATL http://www.bbc.co.uk/northernireland/atl/review_specific308676.shtml 14-01-10 By the time Yes Cadets took to the stage the Stiff Kitten was already approaching capacity and very quickly all eyes were on the stage and all ears bombarded with a barrage of guitar and synths. The band seemed to thrive on the warm reception from the crowd and delivered a strong set laden with infectious choruses, hooks and rhythms reminiscent of the 80s, yet sounded in no way outdated. ‘Canada,’ the highlight of the set, got the most stubborn of toes tapping and epitomised the dancy, light heartedness of music made of good honest fun. Who better to support N.I’s latest export than a band who could well be our next? Coming off the back of a hugely successful single launch A Plastic Rose blew the crowd away with indie-rock infused mayhem. True to form, Norman and   McHugh were master showmen and quickly had the audience bowing to their commands. Singing along to favourites ‘Al...

Published BBC ATL http://www.bbc.co.uk/northernireland/atl/review_specific303940.shtml 11-12-09 Kasper Rosa kicked off the night with a set of instrumental rock bordering on metal. An already well-filled Empire crowd responded well to the four-piece hurling themselves around the stage in the throes of their performance, but the absence of a singer seemed to throw some. It did not however take away from their music, which, despite the lack of vocals, was emotive and thought provoking in its own right. Onslaughts of guitars and drums were interwoven with near serenity as Kasper Rosa swept the crowd into their wake in a thoroughly enjoyable performance. No Pocket Promise gig ever has been, or will be, the same as the last. This time the four lads, now old hands on the local circuit, incorporated a three-man drum solo into an already stunning set delivered with the confidence of professionals. The multi-instrumentalists have an infinite arsenal of sounds and combinations, ...

Published by BBC ATL http://www.bbc.co.uk/northernireland/atl/review_specific299336.shtml 22-11-09 Another SO:NI gig comes around, this time at the Pavilion, dominated by the hard rock fraternity of the local music scene. It’s not often you can say your headliners are fresh off US and UK tours, but Million Dollar Reload tick that box, while Bandwagon are becoming synonymous with these SO:NI events, and rightly so. The bill is completed by Sky on Fire and relative newcomers Cavehill. It is ‘Cavehill’ who open the show to a reasonably packed Pavilion with a solid but largely timid performance. As can be expected in the early stages of many gigs, backsides were firmly attached to seats and the occasional glance was afforded to the three-piece who did themselves no harm on the night. ‘Open Eyes’ and ‘All Fall Down’ were highlights of this short set that was met with little more than polite applause. Front man, known apparently as ‘Sinco,’ offered very little in the way of audience i...

Published on GiggingNI.com 08-10-09 Leather jackets and black t-shirts were dug out of cupboards tonight for Duff McKagen’s headline gig in Spring and Airbreak. Formerly of Guns n’ Roses and Velvet Revolver, McKagen needs no introduction to fans of hard rock and metal, and he and his band, along with a strong support put on a great show for an almost capacity crowd. Support act ‘A Theory Of Everything’ kicked off the night with a set of good hard rock. The rapidly expanding crowd lapped up the energy and charisma on stage clapping and chanting along to lyrics of a quintet who more than fit the bill without having anything overly unique or revolutionary to offer in their performance. Most songs were driven by heavy guitar riffs and rumbling bass, reminiscent at times of Thin Lizzy in the Cold Sweat era and at others of Metallica in the Load/Reload days. In addition to these rockers, a well written ballad was thrown in for good measure and went down just as well with a more tha...

Mandela Hall last night had the air of the visit of a major touring band about it, gig t-shirts, posters, limited edition EPs and anything else you could imagine were on sale, all to promote local heroes the Panama Kings. And, to make their first headline show at the Mandela that bit special, supporting the local lads were bands from England, Wales and Scotland each bidding to promote themselves to a new audience. In the crowd was a smattering of the who’s who in the local music scene with most local bands represented from Ed Zealous to Lafaro and top media men in Johnny Teirnan and Paul and Rigsy from ATL. These faces in the crowd alone were enough to tell anybody something special was about to be witnessed. First up were Findo Gask, hailing from Scotland with their unique brand of electronic pop. Without being too ‘in your face’ the four-piece managed to turn most heads in the audience with a solid performance including highly acclaimed single ‘Va Va Va’ and the infectious ‘Go F...

Published on GiggingNI.com When the seasoned rockers are seen to be roaming the streets in their leather jackets, long hair and vast range of old gig t-shirts, you know something big is happening. Tonight the something was The Answer, Downpatrick rockers propelled to legendary status by their recent tour supporting AC/DC. Also on the bill were top local band In Case of Fire and Bandwagon, a band who are sure to be gathering some support after tonight. Mandela Hall, the venue for this rescheduled gig, gradually filled up and the atmosphere was electric, resulting in a truly memorable night. First up were Bangor three piece ‘Bandwagon.’ Not dissimilar to tonight’s headliners, these guys were proper rock and roll, drawing comparisons with Whitesnake, Led Zepplin and Thin Lizzy. In recent times it has seemed that local rock and roll is less and less prominent in successful local bands, The Answer being the exception, but Bandwagon gave their steadily increasing crowd plenty of evi...

Published GiggingNI.com June 09 This week GiggingNI were given the unique opportunity of a quick interview with Francis Rossi, guitarist and singer of the one and only Status Quo.   Quizzed about the upcoming show in Carrickfergus, previous experiences with Quo and his hugely successful career, Rossi was entertaining, informative and above all, a gentleman of the highest standard. How do Status Quo feel about coming to Carrickferus this summer? We’re looking forward to it. I use to tell a story for years about a promoter friend of mine who used to live in Dublin. He always told this tale about being in a McLaren Mercedes Sport and he asked a guy for directions. No matter where I am in Ireland I always say ‘can you tell me the way to Carrickfergus?’ Anyway, this guy he asked said ‘its straight down there about 10miles, but in that car, you’ll do it in 8.’ I love that about the Irish. One thing Quo do is we don’t have special gigs. The trouble with a special gi...

Published on GiggingNI.com  27-05-09 Packed to the rafters does not do the Limelight justice tonight. The place was buzzing, the atmosphere electric and to coin a well-used phrase, the craic was ninety. Walking in you would have been forgiven for thinking a band like Queen, The Police, or U2 were playing, but, in reality, the audience had gathered to see three top local bands in action, not the aforementioned superstars. First on the bill Six Star Hotel, about to embark on a ‘short album preview-type weekend,’ got the rapidly growing crowd more than warmed up. With echoes of Biffy Clyro in their melodic verses that built up to explosive choruses the four piece have been steadily increasing in influence locally and farther a field. A highly energetic performance earned a warm reception from the crowd and Six Star’s style certainly stood out on the night as considerably rockier than the following bands. Songs off the new album ‘A Kind of Crusade’ and older songs were all deli...