GIG REVIEW: PAPER TIGERS Launch New Single along with RHINOS, FAGASH MCCANN & FOREIGNWOLF

A crispy, clear early November night in Belfast saw punters make their way to McHugh’s Bar for a bit of end of the work week stress release through a an interesting lineup of rock. This Friday night saw Old Crows Promotions proudly present a night of ferocious local rocking talent. And at only a fiver for not one, two or even three bands. No. tonight there were four on the menu.

First up were four piece band, Foreignwolf. ForeignWolf began in May 2019 when members Gerard, Justin and Dave came together and started working on a few tracks. Having recently been in Car Chase City together, Dave and Gerard already had a few ideas to go on which Justin quickly added to by providing his unique style of Bass playing, giving the much needed low end. Happy with how everything was going, the band was on the look out for a drummer, enter the talented Sean, who quickly brought the beat. They have just released their first EP “Tempered Hearts” and tonight was their first outing on a live stage.

And what an outing it was too. A rolling wall of noise with a hard beat that filled out McHugh’s cellar. What a fantastic tight set for the first live performance of the band. “These Tempered Hearts”, “Charity” and “Hard to Bear” set the tone that they maintained throughout. There is a Brit-Punk-Grunge-Alt metal vibe throughout that is calming whilst full of unbridled energy. “Alone”, “Change in the House of Flies” and “Gradual Destruction” kept the heavy pace lit. They finished their set with an absolute beauty of a riff laden heavy tune with “Breathe”, vocals screaming over a roiling, rolling thunder of a rhythm that you can’t stop headbanging to. It is also maybe because it feels like it’s a more metal in your face theme to Command and Conquer Red Alert.

Next up were the amusingly named two piece Fagash McCann along with a neat fashion ensemble. They looked interesting but would their music reflect that weird off beat feel? Oh, Myyyyyyyyyyyyy as Mr Takei would say. Yes they did. With tunes like “Schizoid”, “Just My Luck” “Hole in the Sky” they rolled out a tight, professional and energetically fun performance. Each one themed with a natural fuzzed out energy while delivered in different styles like the traditional bluesy rhythm of “Just My Luck” or the driving metal of “Schizoid” With a distinctive Rickenbacker bass in hand and the surround sound physicality of the drums they felt like Lemmy had joined the White Stripes and made it more fuzzed up.

Then came “Black Lipstick Kiss”, their single released in June 2019 that has that aggressive vibe of The White Stripes doing a Black Sabbath song, “Vino” and “Nervo”. They finished their set with the title track of their album “How to Dance“. Each and every song, heavily laden with riffs with perfectly fit the vocals, were delivered with a confident verve that makes this two man band sound like it has at least five in it.

Up next came Rhinos, another two piece but with the added madness of the incredibly talented comedian Paul Currie. Both he, as lead vocals and guitar and his very affable friend, Paddy Johnson on drums, they defied convention with an anarchic punk rock delivery of epically chaotic proportions that was both extremely enjoyable and made people just need to let out that pent up energy from the week.

The aggressiveness with a smirk and wink delivery of songs like “Rhinos” “Kinky” “Super” and “Dirt” was mesmerizing to both watch and listen to. Interspersed with Paul’s natural comedic quips and determination to involve the audience in some way meant you were really wondering what he was going to do next. Again with a slight The White Stripes vibe but with more punk, anarchy and fun they were incredible to witness. They also played a great song “Strip” which, by audience demand, they had to play again before they left the stage. A band to see live.

Last but not least comes the headliners Paper Tigers. This is especially poignant as it was the launch night of their new single “Gucci Smiles”. They have been gaining a reputation for their intense and energetic live shows, and this power alt rock band did not disappoint. From the lithe seductive stage presence of lead singer Hayley combined with her supreme vocal talents alongside pounding drums, driving rhythms and riffed up hooks, Paper Tigers are not messing about.

With songs like “Sirens”, “Flames” “Try to Forget” “Pieces of my Mind” and “No Ghosts Walk” they just showed of a tightly packed band that know how to work a stage and an audience to create a full on live experience. When they performed their single “Gucci Smiles” it was plain to see this band has a certain specialness about them.

Michael Smyth, guitar and vocals, would not be tied down to the spot, Mickey T on drums thundered those beats out with well-timed aggression and Stevey Henry on bass was enjoying himself as he thumped out crushing basslines. On their own, each member was eye catching but in combination, Paper Tigers were simply stunning. Alongside that hardness on the tunes this was a smorgasbord of styles that should not necessarily fit but when you see it all come together it is a thing of beauty.

The night was also given over to Metal For Life, a non-profit organisation supporting the mental health of Metal music fans in Northern Ireland. Run by a voluntary team of metal fans, the group offers free-of-charge, peer support groups, education on mental health and a listening ear to those who need it.

Main photography by Bob Logan Photography Instagram | Facebook