Dublin Clubbing Guide: All Out Rave

If you don’t know by now, you are either too old to party or living under a rock. So keep the volume on your long wave radio at an acceptable level while you watch a muted repeat of antiques road show in your worn discoloured slippers. Pleb.

Still don’t get what I’m on about??

I am quite clearly referring to one of the most insane party nights of the entire calendar year – LEAVING CERT RESULTS NIGHT!

That’s right, this Wednesday the pinnacle of our youth will be once again descending on the masses and pouring into our streets ready to let as much hair down as Rapunzel on the Eiffel Tower. And what better way to do it than a Massive Rave?

Well thanks to our unrelated namesake promoters Dublin Clubbing Guide and Midnight Events, there is no better option than the All Out Rave in The Turks Head.
With a slogan like “Go Hard or Go Home”, our latest motley crew of leaving cert students will have high expectations. And with a reported 15 gallons of Glow Paint, 1000 jumpsuits and 5 UV cannons, I very much doubt they will be disappointed. The venue is also boasting an indoor smoking area on the night (legal loophole maybe?) so for those non conformist smokers it should be quite a treat. The Main Rave Room will have resident DJs mashing up some of the filthiest Electro around, and they may as well lock the door – because with 3 Euro drinks all night you won’t want to leave.

For those not as inclined to rave all night (if they exist), or if you are just running out of steam, the Front Bar will play host to live bands throughout the night.
Its early doors at 9:30pm, and Admission is 8 Euro with cheaplist or flyer, or you can pay at the door.

For all the deets on the Rave and how to get on the cheaplist, visit the Facebook page below. And if you think you can get away with it, give homage to us old timers by requesting a bit of Hardcore Vibes or, the always classic, Maniac. Go on, you’ll love it.

Dublin CLubbing Guide: Mr Jones Presents - SWITCH

Ok, ok, everybody needs to stop harassing me on the streets with props on Goldenplec’s weekly tips on where to get your rave on, because it’s only going to get worse as the tips keep coming and I may be forced to live in fear as a hermit….
In reality we are encouraging our readers to post comments or email any suggestions of their own and they might just get their pick (and a mention) on the site! So feel free people and if it proves popular we may introduce some prizes in the future for the best pick.
But I digress…
This week we are heading back to the Bodytonic buzz of Mr. Jones in Twisted Pepper. This Thursday welcomes one half of the collaborative music project (and cartoon character) Major Lazer.
For those who do not know Major Lazer’s background, be prepared:
A Jamaican commando who had his arm torn off during the 1984 Zombie Wars, he now battles the undead on his rocket powered hoverboard. There is no evidence to corroborate this story, but it still absolute fact.
SWITCH – who teamed up with producer Diplo to form the project, had great success recently with the album Guns Don’t kill People… Lazers Do and is back on our shores with some sweet solo sounds ready to collectively melt face.
Boasting collaborations with the likes of M.I.A. and Santigold but to name a few, expect Switch to tear the place down with some heavy beats along with new tunes from the recent EP Lazers Never Die. The new EP, which was released on June 20th, featured 2 new songs and 3 mixes from the eminence of such artists as Thom Yorke (yeah, I Know!). Support on the night will be provided by the Mr. Jones regular Shortie, and there is some disgustingly good drinks promotions listed in great detail on their facebook page, so check it out to get a better grasp of just how stupid you would be if you didn’t attend.
Doors are at 11pm and admission is EUR10 or EUR8 with a student card.
So head to Twisted Pepper for some banging tunes and get ready to REACH FOR THE LAZERS!


http://www.facebook.com/?sk=events#!/event.php?eid=141292655903400

GOLDENPLEC DUBLIN CLUBBING GUIDE WEEK 2

BAD-KIDS Thursdays @ Crawdaddy


Yes, yes, the newest addition to Goldenplec is IN FACT a weekly occurrence, much to the joys of our readers! So you can all stop emailing us voicing your frustrations at such a great addition like the Dublin Clubbing Guide being so sporadic. I think we got one email, and I promise it was from a totally anonymous source that had absolutely nothing to do with the article…….

We are back for another week, attempting to sway your craving for a right oul dance to different specific nights/venues/promotions each week. Last week we recommended you check out the GaffParty’s 2 year birthday in Twisted Pepper – so I hope all who attended had a mega time as the general consensus was that the night was expectedly ‘off the chain’.

This week we ask you to feast your eyes (and eventually legs, arms and other body parts) on Crawdaddy’s new Thursday night offering coming from promoters Bad Kids. The Bad Kids crew have been running the night for about 6 weeks now and to date it has been very successful, and I am sure this Thursday will be no exception.

The Chocolate Bar will play host to some of the oldest-schoolest (not a word? Don’t care) hip-hop and gangsta rap from the 80’s and 90’s, so be prepared for your bum to start shaking uncontrollably to some Grandmaster Flash or Warren G.

While things are looking oh so smooth, next door in Crawdaddy will be oozing out the best current indie and electro tunes all night courtesy of the Lads from ClubFear Nites. Anyone who frequents The Oak on a Friday/Saturday will know that ClubFear’s choice of tune-age always gets a thumbs up. From The Beatles and Boys Noize to Vampire Weekend and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, you are sure to be stuck on the dance floor pumping your fist so hard that inevitably leaves you gasping with a cramp.

Sweet drinks promotions include:

Smirnoff Ice/WKD for EUR2.00

Pints for EUR3.00

Cocktails for EUR5.00

And if all of the above isn’t enough to entice you, entry is FREE before 11:30pm!! Its 5.00 after that, So get there early and use those funds on the awesome cheap drinks to fuel you into a dancing frenzy!

Dublin Clubbing Guide - Week 1: July 26th - Aug 1st

MR. JONES PRESENTS: GAFFPARTY 2ND BIRTHDAY PARTY & THE LOOKS SINGLE LAUNCH

As I am sure you are all well aware, Goldenplec does an awesome job at keeping you Irish scallywags in the know about what’s new in the world of music – and with that in mind we are introducing the Goldenplec Dublin Clubbing Guide!
Stuck for something to do during the week? Need some tips on where to go out? Dying to lose some excess body fat on a dance floor to some pumping choons?? Worried that you will end up a hermit??
Worry no more! Goldenplec will be bringing you the low down on where to bring your sweet new top-man T-shirts glow sticks each week.

Kicking things off in style this week we are pointing you in the direction of the Twisted Pepper, this Thursday the 29th of July. Mr Jones will play host to not only the 2nd birthday of the illustrious GAFFPARTY, but also the new single launch from The Looks.

The Looks have rocketed into the public forum after gaining notoriety as support for New Young Pony Club in the Button Factory in May, and the launch of new single Enemies/Romeo shows they have no plans to slow down. Support on the night will be provided by Kid Karate.

Once business hours are over for The Looks they will no doubt stick around for the party, as DJs set to perform well into the early hours include Trev Radiator and WhisperJack from Transmission, Ghostscene Djs, Shortie (representing the hosts Mr. Jones) and of course The Birthday boys. The Gaffparty lads will be closing off the night and celebrating their two years in style, with visuals provided throughout the night by Le Tissier.

With The Mezz staging another long line-up of DJs, the fun will never end until your body physically gives up.

Doors are at 9pm and Admission €5 until 11.30 or with Concession/ €8 without.

And don’t worry, there are plenty of drink promotions too so feel free to go nuts!

So if you were on the fence about what to do with your Thursday night, this may very well help you decide to put on them raving shoes, practice that fist pump and get yourself down to The Twisted Pepper.

For all the details check out the event page on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=135205423184873

The Deans @ Whelans July 21st

Wednesday 21st of July 2010 Whelans

Its 9pm on a typically wet Wednesday night and I am sheltered in the cosy familiarity of the Whelans bar, a comfy pint of the black stuff ready to hug my insides. I know what you’re thinking, there are a million places you would rather be on a miserable midweek night, and there is only so much to be expected entertainment wise for this time and place. The bar was a ghost town at the stroke of 9, with a few faces fitting in like the quiet locals of a rural pub. So I stood at the bar, weighing up my expectations based on the crowd, cynically half assuming my mind would be/could be made up before even judging the band. I didn’t like these thoughts, this lack of optimism, so I went outside to clear my head. As I stood in that lane we all know so well, I witnessed something which flickered memories of Almost Famous or some other stereotypical rock-fiction moment that brushed all scepticism aside. A large coach pulled up right in front of the lane, allowing dozens of people to flood off, all of whom walked straight in my direction and into the bar. Five minutes later it happened again. A rush of excitement filled me and my face flushed as I uncontrollably cracked a smile. Travelling fans – which mean at least one thing – notoriety. A second meaning is the inclusion of a crowd, because we all no how it feels to be at an empty gig.

Prior to my arrival I did have high hopes, as The Deans were fresh off a European tour spanning some of the best Rock and Blues festivals the continent has to offer. And as I came back to take my position at the bar, the large group forming in front of the stage told me that I was in for a treat. When the Deans graced the stage with their presence, they personified the rock and roll image, and immediately kicked things off with a rendition of Bo Didley’s Hey Luci. I turned to an acquaintance and we gave each other the approving nod. Following their opener, they played their original Rise and Shine, and that they did. The brothers Dean broke into a mid track solo and, to the joy of the crowd, oozed stage presence while playing each others frets. Yes, I said it. Some other fan favourites followed in the form of Harboring Faces and Mama Don’t Talk to Me, and then they stepped it up another level. One thing I am a sucker for is crowd participation, and if done successfully and prove ownership of everybody’s attention. Basically, if you have fun you are going to rave about the gig, and crowd participation is damn fun. This came in the form of the a capella Lin’in Track, assisted only by the beat of the crowds clapping hands. This also showed the range of Gavin’s voice which is equally astounding as his guitar playing. They slowed things down a bit next with their EP title track Distraction and Snake Dance, with hints of Ryan Adams, Rory Gallagher and The Doors peeping through. Two songs that could definitely withstand the weight of commercialism.

After another traditional jaunt or two they introduced what will soon become a newly released single, Worried All the Time. Thinking financially for just a moment, a single is assumed to be the pathway to commercial recognition, and therefore needs to have a certain element that can induce the majority into turning up the dial on their radio. More airplay means more dineros. Worried All the Time definitely has the strength and character to push their success, but I would worry for their sake that they do not become the victims of change too soon in order to please the “Suits”.

Thankfully these thoughts did not weigh heavy for too long as they introduced their following song as a “spiritual orgasm”, and proceeded into a lengthy medley of Mr. Hyde and William the Coward, which could only be described (by me) as a musical mind bomb transfusion of Santana-esc similarity. I am aware that the description doesn’t make sense, but referencing mind and body to the liquid sex of the song still seems justified.

By now I am in the palm of their hands, and when a band gets an Encore on a Wednesday in Whelans, it’s special. They finished off with classics Honey Hush by Big Joe Turner, What I’d Say by Ray Charles and the always welcomed Johnny B Goode.

When they finally did say goodbye, I included myself in the provision of a worthy ovation, as The Deans truly encapsulate classic Blues Rock for the modern music climate, similar to what The Answer are to doing for heavy rock. They stick to the roots of their influences and give a new generation access to a quality of music that, to the few who are aware or still care, literally paved the way for most of the music we listen to today. It may finally be time for all the Indie scenesters to open their mind to the past, the beginning, the reason for the songs and the bands we love – the blues. And what better a way to re-educate than for a fresh, young band to emulate the greats of the past while keeping it unique for the present. Imagine my surprise when I overhead a fellow attendee state “That was great, but not as good as the last time.” The possibility of The Deans leaving any more of a positive impression was difficult to fathom. At this stage all they will be doing is preaching to the converted.

http://www.thedeans.ie

http://www.myspace.com/deansrockandroll

SETLIST:

Hey Luci (Bo Didley)

Rise and Shine (Gavin Dean)

Harboring faces (Gavin dean)

Mama don’t talk to me (Gavin Dean)

Lin’in track (Traditional – A Capella)

Distraction (Gavin Dean)

Snake dance (Gavin Dean)

Why’d you do that to me (Traditional)

Feel so good (J.B Lenoir)

Worried all the Time (Gavin Dean – unreleased single)

Mr. Hyde (Gavin Dean)

William the coward (Gavin Dean)

Encore; Honey Hush (Big Joe Turner)

What id say (Ray Charles)

Johnny be Goode (Chuck Berry)

Review: The Joy Formidable @ The Academy 2 May 28th

Expectations were high as I anxiously awaited what many regard as the “next big thing”, a future containing much shoulder rubbing with Arcade Fire, Editors and the like.

The Crowd began to form to the tune of support act Our Little Secrets’ Ryan Adams style folk rock (in the acoustic element) and were successful in generating a cheerful anticipation for the headliners. Stand out tune “Daylight” shows promise for the debut album, released on May 7th.

In the wait between acts I got chatting to an off duty Police Officer (no names, sorry) who stated that he follows The Joy Formidable almost religiously and has seen them live five or six times already. Granted this was just one fan, but if the general consensus is even half the dedication, I was sure to be in for a treat. And what a treat it was.

Sudden shuddering guitar reverb immediately enveloped the room before evolving into their opening track “While the Flies”. The beautiful Ritzy and Co were in their element and once content with the full and undivided attention of the room, (along with a brief introduction) busted out three of the best with the much loved “Cradle”, followed by the ever present live medley of “Ostrich/Austere”. The crowd needed a breather by the end, although they probably didn’t want one. Things chilled out for while with some mellow indie pop in the form of “greyhounds in the Slips” and “The Greatest Light is the Greatest Shade”, which had elements of Arcade fire and more modern moods like that of The Temper Trap. Then came some new material, “Popinjay”, with quality that reduced my vocabulary to simply describe it as A PROPER CHOON! Finally, after some more adorable chit chat from the band, they kicked into their closer. Clearly a fan favourite, “Whirring” was the perfect way to end the show, pleasing the masses with the fantastic performance they all came to see, and in some circumstances, chased from venue to venue.

While this writers mind was instantly made up about not only the growing potential of The Joy Formidable – but the already cemented popularity and dimensions to their music – they further impressed with a humble final display of post-gig mingling with those who came to rock.

A pleasure from beginning to end.

Interview with Paddy Usher

Success and tragedy are two bipolar stepping stones consistent with musicians and bands around the world who have tread the line of fame and fortune with the ultimate goal of “Making it”. This analogy is no more apparent than with Paddy Usher, who has recently re-emerged from temporary music exile with a fresh sound and new ambition to finally capture the dream that has, on countless occasions, slipped through his fingers. We caught up with Paddy and his new band to chat about past, present and future plans, and specifically the upcoming launch of their single You Are So Much Better Off.

1. Your First taste of success came when winning the 1997 Hot Press Demo Marathon. What doors did that initially open for you?

This was an opportunity to meet and talk with an industry panel, most of which were Industry Experts and D.J’s. I suppose the most interesting guy I met was Johnny Lappin who was very open and easy to talk to. He liked the vocal approach and song ideas I had which was uplifting as he has worked for many major Irish artists like Aslan, Sharon Shannon and Liam Reilly (who might I add is one of the best Irish song writers and his contribution to music is just not celebrated enough). There was great exposure throughout the midlands via radio stations, news papers and small record stores. We had a good following at this stage anyway and seemed to be packing out shows which were great, but the exposure through Hot Press was the best thing as it gave us better access to bigger gigs in Dublin.

2. Your version of “Play That Funky Music” gained you notoriety, but what were the pressures that came with that?

We were playing rock/funk and the whole way through the 90’s as I remember it the charts seemed to be dominated by dance music. We wanted to capture or do a tune which would get the attention of all music lovers and this seemed like a great tune to do. The pressures were firstly taking on such a big and well know song, trying to put our twist on the tune and hoping that people would like it. There is a big vocal presence in the original so trying to do that justice was a big thing also, I also changed the backing music and put a monster bass line over it to make it even more dance floor friendly, it seemed to work for that time and space.

3. You have played with some big names in Irish music, most notably Shane McGowan, Aslan and Kila. Do you prefer the stage or the studio? Which one is taking up more time presently?

It has been a great experience supporting Kila and Aslan, great guys, supporting Shane McGowan was an experience. Let’s just say there were some images I will never forget. I always like going into the studio because you get better clarity on what you are recording and tend to find different directions and production ideas for the song or songs your working on, but generally song is structured and pretty much finished before I hit the studio. The other thing is it depends where you are recording and who you are working with, it’s very important for me to feel comfortable with whom i am spending the time with as I will have an infinite amount of ideas and roads to go down, this of course is to make sure I get the best of myself and the best for the song.

Currently I am spending just as much time on stage, the new experience of “The Paddy Usher Band” is quite challenging and lots of fun. The band are second to none and are all great lads, fantastic players, very versatile and great guys to work, full of ideas, they really have a great spirit about them and I think it’s really reflecting in the new recordings and live shows, they are really rocking.

4. You were enjoying success and a US tour when a professional and personal tragedy struck, when two of your fellow members of Jacuzze Jungle died in a vehicular accident. Can you tell us of the events leading up to and surrounding this? How did affect you and you music?

We were rocking all over N.Y & N.J for over a year, met some great people and worked with others that had a great love of the songs I was writing and playing live, wow the shows over there were very energetic. The crowd loved us wherever we went because we were like lunatics on stage and always gave em something to talk about, word spread very quickly and the shows were electric.

We came home for two weeks to do a few shows and see loved ones when disaster struck, David Clinton (Bass) my lifelong friend was struck by a car in the early hours of the morning and passed away, approx two months after that Kevin Tuomey (Percussion) another lifelong friend was also struck down by a drunk driver whilst cycling home, we were just after having a quite pint and a chat. It was a terrible tragedy to lose two great guys that were a huge part of my life. That was a very dark period and a troublesome time for us all.

Things slowed up quite a bit and the Jacuzze Jungle band that so many people had high hopes for began to dissolve and fade away, there were some other occurrences that were unforeseen, and played a big part in the withering away process, (I need not go into now) when you have played music with people like Dave and Kev all your life and have such a great understanding of each other, well let’s just say they were irreplaceable.

After a rest period I began to write again, got some new guys and got back out on stage again. The tunes were a little different and I went down a more Southern Rock & Acoustic/Bluegrass/Folk road. I suppose no matter how many times you are struck down you have to saddle up and ride that horse again, and keep on riding until you break em. Lots of people just say to hell with it, but music is my love passion and life, if I gave up music I may as well set the concrete boots and head for the river.

5. Judging by your website, you seem to have quite a few new tracks nailed down. What is your writing process?

Ah the classic question, I have an abundance of material and I’m always adding to the collection and putting down as many ideas as possible. My song writing process is usually generated from acoustic playing and then laying melody, having said that the ideas for writing can come from anywhere so if parts are working great, if not pick another bottle and try again. I try to keep things as simple as possible, I think with song writing, you either have it or ya don’t.

6. What can we expect from Paddy Usher after you launch your new single, “You Are So Much Better Off” on May 8th Academy?

The Paddy Usher Band are hard at work, and the first single release 8th May I the Academy (“You Are So Much Better Off) is going to be a very exciting time for us, we will have dates listed on the website www.paddyusherband.com of shows up and down the country and were trying to get the songs to as many ears as possible. We would really like the get good Irish music back out and on the radio, as opposed to the nonsense that I’m hearing in the charts all the time, times are a changing and we as a band are going to be pushing as hard as we can to open up the channels for Rock n Roll. Please come and check us out.

The Paddy Usher band will Launch their new single You Are So Much Better Off in the Academy on May 8th.

For More information on Paddy Usher visit www.paddyusherband.com or www.myspace.com/paddyusher