Numerous walls had been plastered with posters advertising Deadman's
Flats album launch and the word obviously got around. Over 250 people
turned up in Whelan's to see them play.
Among the ordinary punter were Kevin Spacey and Linda Fiorentina - in
Dublin shooting "Ordinary Decent Criminal", along with Glen Hansard of
The Frames D.C. This was only the band's second time playing there
but they're obviously starting to enjoy it. The show was the
culmination of three months work and their relief was palpable. If
Steve Fanagan's smile had been any bigger his mouth would look like
Mick Jagger's.
The new gear at the venue and "fantastic" monitors meant that the band
were constantly playing in unison - which is a rarity on too many
occasions. Obviously fans of kitsch culture, the backdrop of the
stage was all silver ribbons and their costumes mixed the suits of the
Fun Lovin' Criminals with the dodgy clothes, and very dodgy shoes, of
The Jam. This motif is carried on with an inlay photograph of the band
lounging in a tiger-skin room on their album cover.
On the album, the vocals play as much a part as each instrument.
However, Steve Fanagan and John Cowhie's voices just don't carry the
same power as their on-stage personas. This was an intentional effect
however as the band wanted to create a 'mellower' sound.
They were forced into this lo-fi approach by budgetary constraints -
everything was recorded on three or four-track. Live, they are more
impressive. The vocals come to the fore and the music is more
powerful as a result.
They played twelve songs in total, including all the songs from the
CD. They also played two non-album songs, 'Velvety' and 'This is
What'. This is a band determined to remain independent and more than
capable of doing so. Check them out.
by Neil Callanan