PlanetMosh Keeping it Metal
It had been five months since Norn Iron’s premier rawk ‘n’f’n’ roll crue had played the region’s capital, and their return to not only the city but also the comparatively cramped Pavilion venue shows that the quintet are just as comfortable playing in sweaty bar rooms as they are in major arenas or on festival stages…
Openers Shade Of Jonah provide a pleasant enough backdrop against which the majority of people arrive, with the majority of the punters taking the time to renew old acquaintances while the County Down trio perform an entertaining set, with shades of funk and soul to their otherwise run-of-the-mill alt-rock sound.
Like the headliners, main support ‘Tric are unveiling a new line up, in this case bassist Christopher Fitzsimons, who replaced founder member (and, to many, band powerhouse Rory Judge at the end of last year, who was unceremoniously and inexplicably ousted from the power trio following their hugely disappointing trip to Glasgow for last year’s ‘Highway To Hell’ competition) at the tail end of last year.
The new incarnation is a lot looser than the previous one (possibly down to lack of gigging experience), with guitarist/vocalist Dale Hunter not as engaging with his audience, spending a lot of time between songs with his back to the crowd, and drummer Ryan Quinn not his usual animated, ‘Animal’-istic self: Chris’ bass work seems solid enough, although he is not as charismatic as Rory, and the atrocious sound mix means that his backing vocals are totally inaudible. Nevertheless, I’m hoping that the faults mentioned are temporary, and attributable to a lack of gigging experience together, as I have a lot of time for both the band as a whole and the three guys therein…
http://www.facebook.com/tricrocks
The sound problems persist as Million $ Reload kick into their set: quite frankly it’s atrocious – all muddy bass, with the backing vocals completely lost, and Andy Mack’s first couple of solos are completely destroyed. The situation does improve as their set goes on – the vocals and guitars do become a bit more distinctive – but not by much… being consummate professionals, of course, the band prove that they are every ready to ‘Fight The System’ and battle on, with second guitar slinger Brian Mallon bouncing on and off the monitors and vocalist Phil Conalone cajoling the best possible reaction from the audience, almost all of whom, by ‘Living In The City’ are dancing in every cramped space available, while the likes of ‘Broken’ is delivered with as much, if not more, passion than ever.
As mentioned above , M$R are also introducing a new member to their local fans: Finbar ‘The Cool’ O’Hagan, recruited from the now defunct Swanee River, had made his debut during the band’s recent trip to France, and has quickly fitted in, showing not only ability but that all-important charisma.
Despite the technical difficulties – to which the band seem to be almost oblivious, it must be said – the million dollar ones prove yet again that they are worth that and a whole lot more, and deserve to be respected on par with, or a few notches higher than, media dahlings such as Heaven’s Basement or The Treatment and their ilk.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Million-Dollar-Reload-official/116605908365064
‘Tric support Pat McManus at Madison’s Hotel on Thursday February 28th and The Treatment at the Diamond Rock Club, Ahoghill, on Saturday March 2nd.
Million $ Reload play Mason’s Bar, Londonderry, on Saturday April 6th.
