Review & Photography by Stephen Brophy for MPM
Kerbdog are certainly not the only band with a story where timing, a changing music industry landscape, or perhaps just bad luck, caused issues for them hitting the heights that for me their music deserved.
Forming and launching their debut album in the early 90’s when alternative Rock/Metal was moving into Grunge they had that sound, that vibe. This didn’t stop them releasing two excellent albums that have managed to stay relevant to this day. And the short run of dates this time around are to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of their standout self-titled debut. Luckily for the sold out crowd in attendance they get that album in full and the best tracks from the 2nd album.
Opening the Academy show are Dublin punk rockers Aoife Destruction and The Nilz, a combination created after a conversation at last year’s Rebellion Festival in the UK, bringing together long term Paranoid Visions co-vocalist and likeminded punk band The Nilz, and it seems to have been a match made in heaven with this new force powering ahead this year with lots of live shows while working on the recording of their debut album.
The band don’t waste much time at all anywhere in their set, fitting in as many songs as they can, no surprise there really as they were always going to have a lot of songs in a relatively short set. The dual vocals of Aoife and Eddie worked really well, the voices blend well together and they also bounce off each other well offering a little extra.
The venue looks a little odd at this stage with a lot of the floor being pretty empty, except two lads making use of the space for a private pit, but at the same time both the upstairs and the areas around the floor area quite full. For me the songs that stood out in this set were ‘Head Kicked In’ and the excellent ‘Give Me An Attitude’.
The crowd grows in both size and appreciation as the bands set progresses which was great to watch, and when they finally came to their closing cover of Nena’s ‘99 Red Balloons’, which actually sounded great, the crowd reaction was both loud and excited, there’s no doubt the band won some new fans tonight. Definitely a band to keep an eye on as live they are really entertaining.
In the break between bands the venue became full, it was harder to see any gaps upstairs too and as the atmosphere grew darkness enveloped the room and the time had arrived for Kerbdog to storm the stage.
One of the best things about tonight’s set is that for me a lot of thought went into the order of the songs, not just playing the anniversary album as it was released was a great move and it allowed the set to flow better and add more variety to the show. Kicking off with ‘Scram’ the thing that really kicked me in the guts from the off was when Billy’s Guitar kicked in, damn the riffs were monster, cutting and so clean and clear and for me it’s the added Metal edge that elevates a lot of the Kerbdog songs.
Cormac Battle still knows how to drag everything out of the lyrics and punch in some extra guitar work that adds volume to the music. Most of the set is a highlight, jumping between ‘Dry Riser’, ‘Mexican Wave’ or ‘Sally’, which I still think would do very well if released today to be honest, there’s just so many good songs for a relatively small repertoire.
The fans are singing, jumping and at times being carried along with it all. I moved around a bit tonight to try and take it all in from different perspectives and be it upstairs, around the sides or on the floor there’s no doubt that this band still has a lot to offer, and they pack an explosive live show.
The so rock solid rhythm section of Colin and Darragh is just seamless, the only thing for me that didn’t work tonight was that it wasn’t a longer set, but maybe we need another album (how many times have the guys heard that one). The show really does fly by, but days later I still feel like I’m there with the songs rolling around my head.
For a band that plays some sporadic shows they are a really tight unit, unflustered and they really seem to enjoy doing things their own way, and long may it continue as life is better with some Kerbdog shows in it, as long as they keep putting on shows I will keep showing up at them, and obviously with a full venue like tonight I am not alone, try and get to see them if you can, they do not disappoint.
What an absolutely killer way to end a show, the Encore consists of three songs, but it’s the last 2 that really smash the faces of everyone present.
Dummy Crusher’ has always been one of my favourite tracks from the band, and the reason is it’s a ……… and then to close out the night with the excellent ‘JJ’s Song’ just rounds out a brilliant night, we may not get to see the band as regularly as we would like, but each of these short runs of dates that pop up are essential to be at, the band always put on a cracking show, always have that ability to transport you back in time, and tonight guide us right through the classic debut album.
Thank you Kerbdog and please come back again soon.
Kerbdog Setlist –
Scram
The Inseminator
Schism
Dead Anyway
Pledge
Mexican Wave
On The Turn
Dry Riser
Secure
Severed
Earthworks
Cleaver
End Of Green
Sally
Encore
Clock
Dummy Crusher
JJ’s Song
