The Archives
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06.28.08
Crimson play AMP Metro Gig
It's not often that a band will surprise me. Its a rarity when I don't truly enjoy myself at a gig, the energy of live music is always enough to turn anyone's bad mood around. Last Friday however, when midlands-based band Crimson played an A.M.P. sponsored gig in Bar Metro, I was actually stunned. Firstly, by the fact that I had never heard or even heard of this band before, and secondly, by the comfort of the lead singer behind the mic. Fronting a band is hard enough as it is (believe me, I know...), but it ... -
06.28.08
Critic Eyes play AMP Metro Gig
Their name is Critic Eyes, a rock band based in Athlone with not only bags of talents, but 2 (count them, two!) guitar-playing female front-people (as opposed to front-men). Their young, they're writing their own material, they're playing out, they're female, it doesn't get much more unique. Normally a four-piece (with a drummer and a bassist), last Friday saw them playing an acoustic set in Bar Metro, part of an A.M.P. sponsored rock night. If you haven't heard them live yet, remedy that quickly. It won't be long before seeing them in a local venue in Athlone will be ... -
01.26.08
Sofa King Cool in Bar Metro
This is actually more of a throw-away gig, since I was actually not in attendance as an official shooter, but simply a patron sitting in the corner, sipping my soda. However, the gig is unique for two reasons. Firstly, it's one of the few times a woman joined the Kings on stage, in the form of Michelle Gibbons, rock-singer extraordinarie, as well as the always entertaining Paul Allen. Secondly, since this is the last documented evidence of Sofa King Cool playing Bar Metro, it needed to be posted, because as some say, "It's the end of an era..." Sneak ... -
12.16.07
The Rocket Queens - R.I.P.
Guns 'n' Roses tribute band The Rocket Queens played their final gig in Bar Metro a bit ago, and the crowd was out in hordes. For those of you that don't know, the Rocket Queens are actually Sofa King Cool in drag as I like to say. A group of well-seasoned and talented musicians, each band-member is already a veteran to the band-scene in the Midlands, and while Sofa King Cool still lives on, the Rocket Queens are no more. Sneak Peek Continue Reading... -
11.16.07
Shawn Allen in Bar Metro
Long before there was Shawn Allen and the Fluffy Truffles, or Shawn Allen and the Sexual Chocolates, Shawn Allen was just Shawn Allen, a local singer-songwriter from Athlone, staying in the comfort zone of the cover bands he sang lead for (Sofa King Cool, The Rocket Queens, etc.). However, on one special night in November 2007, a friend of his from Dead Man's Hands asked him to fill in the break, and do an electric solo set midway through the night. I post these photos not because is was a great gig to shoot (although it was fun to listen ... -
11.16.07
Dead Mans Hand in Bar Metro
The rock scene in general is usually dominated by male bands, particularly male lead singers. Its quite rare to find a Gwen Stefani, a Hayley Williams, or an Amy Lee in an actual rock band, and anyone who tries to convince me that No Doubt, Paramore and Evanescence are anything more than glorified pop-bands will be sent a cold limp salmon in the post. There of course is nothing wrong with pop-bands, but I'm talking about rock bands, ones that make you growl like a bear, distort your face and punch your fist in the air, while ...