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The story of Fat Actress has been a curious one. Under the name Ephialtes, they blew this writer away a year or two back when they supported Madball at the Cruiscin, an exhibition of mathy ferocity that played out to far, far too few people (Freddy Madball didn’t look too impressed with the turnout). They played the Haiti fundraiser all-dayer at Fredz with another blinder… and then they took a break. The project has been in various states of flux over the years, but the recent release of new E.P. Hot Rubbish, recorded on the quiet by the band themselves, has seen them resurface. And we’re glad of it.
This is PanPanPan (6/10)‘s first gig, the lads from former Cork hardcore band S.H.I.T. (So Hardcore It’s Terrifying… hmmm) moving out of their throwdown phase and into tight, indie-pop inflected territory. Doses of instrumental, ska-punk and pop immediacy meet with curious amounts of synth and accordion and while their demo, lukewarmly-received by Drop-d, does them no justice, it’s fair to say that focus is somewhat absent from tonight’s shenanigans, and it shows. As many interesting elements are there are, the teething problems at hand serve to distract. Plenty of potential, mind you.
Plinth (9/10) on the other hand, knock it out of the park. Smooth devastation abounds as the five-piece’s demented fusion takes the term at face value a couple of times a song, to tremendous effect. Their E.P., Tenzuke Chiste, gets a full airing here tonight, for all its twists and turns and y’know what? Even after an enforced year’s break, the band are as tight as ever they were, not a note gone to waste in the least. Awesome. Download the mind-bendery while it’s still hot.
Fat Actress (9/10) simply nail it, the din promised by Ephialtes coming to a sludgy, groovy head that tips the nod to frontman Ian O’Callaghan‘s own love for bouncy, pogoing metal and hardcore. Drop-d is too busy enjoying itself and bearing witness to the sheer amount of ridiculousness up the front (very animated throwdowns are had) to take notes in its usual manner. Irreverent humour (look up the EP’s cover), precise technicality and iron-plated racket are often a great combo, and in the hands of these lads, it’s looking likely to be a major fixture in this town’s gigging arsenal.
Tags: Cyprus Avenue, Fat Actress, PanPanPan, Plinth
sorry buddy, but i was in so hardcore its terrifying and to be honest you were’nt at any of our gigs? so who are you to comment on anything we done. hhhhhhhuuuuuuuummmmmmm keep to the fact at hand thanks very much!