CHERYM | Indie Buddie

Devoted fans is something every band and artist dreams of. The sort of fans that have tattoos of the band’s logo, know every word to their songs, discuss who their favourite band member is before the show and queue in the cold to see them. This is the devotion that Dublin’s Fangclub have garnered. I heard compelling arguments for why Steven King, Kevin Keane and Dara Coleman are the best as the eager fans stood waiting to enter the Button Factory on Friday night for Fangclub’s headline show. The fans dissected their favourite tracks from the bands EP’s and albums while discussing the amount of times they have seen the trio. The crowd were sure the show was going to be one to remember….. it was.

Derry three piece pop rock band Cherym kick started the night. A feisty trio the band blast out their fierce tunes with relentless stamina. With a crashing wall of sound saturated in gritty riffs, fiery bass lines and pounding drums provided by Alannagh Doherty – it’s a speedy neck snapping set. Hannah Richardson howls and spits out the lyrics with attitude as she struts back and forth on stage. There isn’t a lot of banter from this trio they allow their brawling riffs and pulverising lean mean wall of sound do the talking for them. The pop sensibilities smoothen the razor sharp assault the trio execute so precisely. Members of the crowd mosh and jump to each tune while others are singing along to the lyrics.A threat to do an Irish dance on stage and a “wee prayer” causes cheers from the crowd while a witty asthma quip and “wake the f*ck up do we look like we do Irish dancing” remark creates a humorous tune-up distraction before the band speedball into new single ‘Abigail’. There is something compelling about this trio. Their tunes exude gut-punching punk rock with a pop smattering melody that drifts effortlessly into the ears. Bassist Nyree Porter is extremely charismatic on stage as she engages playfully with the crowd sparking clap-alongs and even jumps off the stage to allow the audience to strum the bass. They made quite an impression.

With Led Zeppelin’s ‘Immigrant Song’ blasting through the speakers while a smoky red hue glows onstage Fangclub triumphantly stroll on stage to a mass of cheering. A band who are honest, raw and incredibly talented these guys don’t hold anything back. The setlist travels at full speed as the band pack in as many tracks as they can with high fives, fist bumps and hand shakes from the crowd in between. “Go on Stevo” members of the crowd shout as Steven King (his face buried in a mass of hair) explodes into ‘Vulture Culture’. The pit erupts immediately, as the crowd once again fall under the bands spell. ‘All Fall Down’ truly grabbed the crowd by the throat as a riot of drums, bass and shrilling roar on guitars thrill the moshing fans to the core. Kevin Keane swishes, jumps and executes his raging bass lines with rampant vigor. There is one track in particular where his finesse excels, ‘ Hesitations ‘. The demon summoning bass rumble resounds throughout the venue as King’s spine chilling vocals entice and seduce against this riveting wall of sound. Dara Coleman resides on a raised platform, shrouded in an enigmatic cloud of dry ice. He pummels through the crunching, ferocious and downright dominant drum rolls and rhythms with precision and relentless stamina while members of the crowd try to air drum along . The trio are joined onstage by guitarist Ed Scanlan who provided those slick licks, riffs and rich guitar melodies that pepper the bands tracks in swagger and spice.He has his own fans in the crowd who shout “go on Ed” and “love you Ed”.

“Everyone ready for Christmas?” King asks before he introduces the blistering ‘Kingdumb’. Members of the crowd reply with a half cheer/half moan while another shouts “Hail Satan!”

The show is a special moment for both the band and their fans. An almost solo performance of the note to King’s girlfriend ‘Last Time’ leaves King in tears as he tries to finish the song. His fingers shake as he forms the chords on the fret-board. He coo’s the tender lyrics with nothing but guitar accompaniment. The crowd cheer in support as Coleman and Keane return to the stage embracing him before the expressive and emotional crescendo. It’s a striking reminder of all this band have been through, almost calling it a day before the ‘Vulture Culture’ album and the stress and emotional turmoil they have been through. It made me realise just how lucky we were to be there that night watching them perform their largest Dublin headline to date. King thanks his family, friends and fans for helping him get through everything. Most people don’t think of the person beneath the larger than life rock-star persona but that glimmer into frontman King’s emotional mindset at the time made all the difference and earned more respect and love from adoring fans. Refusing to allow that tender moment define the night King turns to face the drums, wipes his eye and rebounds with the searing ‘Bad Words’…. the crowd goes insane. The band leave the stage as King lip sinks to Whitney Houston’s ‘I Will Always Love You’ while the crowd bellow back the lyrics dramatically sprawling their arms out to him before Coleman, Keane and Scanlan carry King off stage to the resounding sound of the crowd’s cheering.

It was a fantastic show of sweat, adrenaline, massive tunes and tears as Fangclub were welcomed home by their adoring, never faltering fans. Fangclub are getting bigger and better. They have grown into accomplished proficient musicians. They shattered through The Button Factory in style with unbridled energy, graciousness and a performance that their fans will never forget. Their riot-inducing sound is hypnotic and encourages anyone within ear shot to begin head banging and moshing. I believe one fan from the crowd summed up the nights antics well – as he left the venue he said to his friend ” my neck is fucked”.