A night of blistering cutthroat alternative punk rock pounded through our ears on Saturday night as Dublin’s Vulpynes headlined The Academy 2 with support from I AM A Car Crash and The Lord Reverend Mongo Joans and the Coat Hanger Solution.
Punk band The Lord Reverend Mongo Joans and the Coat Hanger Solution kick started the night. A comical bunch on stage these guys whack straight into their riotous tunes with crashing guitars, pummeling drums and feisty growlish vocals. Each track travels at neck breaking spreed as they blend their feisty punk with fiery mosh pit ready rock. One particular crowd member was really enthusiastic. He took selfies with the band while they played on stage. Their set was brimming with numerous shredding guitar blasts and rooted bass grooves which set the crowd alight as they bopped along to the “fu*ck you” lyrics of ‘Best Worst Thing’. Their tunes have a bop factor that can coax your hips to wiggle while their gritty ferocious exterior packs some serious punch. A fully entertaining band to watch live.
I AM A Car Crash follow the punk vibe. Taking a darker twist on the genre their distorted guitars, gripping wall of sound and mesmerising drumming has the crowd utterly entranced. The majestic guitar work is impressive and builds their sound perfectly with a sophisticated flurry of finesse over the rambunctious drumming gliding through the air and slapping into our ears with blissful intensity. These guys know how to make an impression. Attitude soaked vocals smoothly drift through the melody while the lyrics are spat out at a brisk expressive pace. The banter is minimal so the band can pack in as many tunes as possible. ‘Eric’ in particular is a blinder. Shrilling guitars pierce and soar elegantly over the fantastic drum rumble as the track builds to its explosive crescendo. Final track ‘Carnival Ride’ a track dedicated to “any would be rapists …. We are coming for you mother f**kers” is absolutely captivating and gripping. The gentle vocal melody seeps and bleeds with tender emotion. It’s a striking and heartbreaking track superbly crafted to extract, display and expose the raw harsh emotion and turmoil within, while icy guitars flicker between the brewing and bubbling drums creating a striking backdrop for the affectionate vocals. The track builds to a shredding dazzling crescendo filled with distortion and expressive guitar whines. It’s a mind blowing end to their exquisite set.
The fiery duo Vulpynes take to the stage to the ominous whistle of the x files theme song. Not ones for banter they belt straight into their vicious battering tunes with relentless stamina and swagger. Vocalist and guitarist Maeve Molly’s stance is cool, composed and fierce as she executes the shredding riffs and gritty licks with effortless panache. She has really grown into her frontwoman role.Though she doesn’t move or prance about the stage often her simple stance commands awe as she bellows out the lyrics. Kaz’s powerful drumming pounds deep through your very soul, ‘2 Cents’ and ‘Silica’ resounds through the Academy. The crowd stand and watch the duo blast through their bloodthirsty tunes as if hypnotised. I was expecting total anarchy and moshing however each member of the crowd stood rooted to their spot soaking up the savage tunes as if in a trance. Maeve Molly calls the crowd to move about “start rocking out now… stop f*cking standing there … that’s an order” snapping them out of their blissful daze. They begin to mosh and dance creating a sea of bopping movement and mania at the front. Vulpynes have created a delicious recipe for a thrilling live show with their catchy tunes, driving adrenaline, whirling scuzzy riffs and alternative punk anthems – this duo are a lean mean force to be reckoned with.
Vulpynes closed their set with the explosive ‘OCD’. However, the crowd demanded more and the duo obliged returning to mass cheers for a vigorous encore. Vulpynes have proven they can create frenzied barbarous tunes that stick in your head for days and Saturday night proved they can deliver one hell of a live show to accompany these savage tunes.
