Lost souls found
Slick with sweat Sons’ singer Justin Kelly prowled his patch, spitting bars like the last puff from the bitter end of a rolled-up cigarette, launching himself at the stage edge, balancing on monitors, inciting the crowd. “No more, no more,” he roared the epic refrain from ‘Sinners and Lost Souls’ opening track ‘Fear My Scorn’.
The crowd bayed, and bawled in reply. More, more, more!
Thirty years after last playing the hallowed Camden Street venue, four friends from Bailieborough who formed a band that never quite lived up to expectation, returned as prodigal sons.
The mystique for many was seeing a band who rarely play live. But here they were in their natural habitat- Justin (vocals), David Meagher (guitar), Paddy Glackin (bass), and Noel Larkin (drums) and David’s son Rory (second guitar/ backing vocals) - making up for lost time.
Denims, dad-bods, and Doc Martens at a fine sheen sang back word-for-word. They travelled from Cavan, Dunshaughlin, Scotland, the Netherlands, Boston and even Wrexham to be there. Eminent faces from the capital’s alt-music scene loitered, a philosopher, a leading trade-unionist, mostly middle-aged and giddy knowing they’d pay for last night’s liquid transgressions the morning after.
Bailieborough, after all, could be any small country town. Sons’ music is equal parts realness and recognisable, tales elevated by a caustic yet classic poetry, measured for intensity, and delivered with genuine commitment.
The Whelan’s gig was being filmed by multi-award-winning documentary maker Frank Shouldice (The Man Who Wanted to Fly) for a yet undated and still evolving project.
Paddy, replete in a Cavan Cola t-shirt, whipped his bass as though punishing it. ‘Skinhammer’ Larkin meanwhile doled out similar levels of discipline to his own kit, bedecked with Claus Castenskiold’s iconic artwork.
They booted their way through Kung Fu Kicks and Farmer’s Hall, and fizz into Cavan Cola. By now a writhing masse had positioned itself in front, half can-canning, outstretched limbs, loving every minute.
McElearney’s Says, Harry Clarke and Polaris eased the carousel of ire from spinning too fast, band exiting after performing The Pop Inn: “The closest thing we’ve had to a hit, and that’s not saying much” damns Justin.
In need of catching the last bus this reporter sadly leaves before the encore - two Joy Division covers including New Dawn Fades.
The Sons continue their own journey meanwhile. Their Irish tours caps off at Listowel’s ‘Mike The Pies’ on Friday, July 29. After, the band will once again curb their musical ambitions in favour of getting back to day jobs, family life, and other erstwhile mature responsibilities.
The Sons have long promised a classic-sounding triptych to round out Foundry Folk Songs and Saints and Sinners, meaning a return to the stage cannot be ruled out entirely.