Dirty 3 Live At The Button Factory Dublin. 23-11-2012

Warren Ellis- Dirty 3 @ The Button Factory

When Australian hell raisers Dirty 3 get it together in a live setting, you can be quaranteed  the concert experience of a lifetime.

Their Dublin appearance on November 23rd last at the The Button Factory was no exception.

It was my second time this year seeing them play, the previous time was at The End Of The Road Festival in Dorset. I am of the opinion though that Dirty 3 usually give a more thrilling performance in the smaller, more intimate indoor venues. After all this is how they started out in their native Melbourne playing less than huge beer joints and small halls.

The Button Factory located in the heart of Temple Bar is by no means an overally small venue, but the layout leading to the bar area is somewhat a bit cramped. It is advisable to get there early to get close to the stage area at this particular place, otherwise trudging through a dense crowd at the bar area can be awkward.

Front man Warren Ellis was in jovial mood to say the least with his hilarious rambling between his thunderous amplified violin work.  Jim White's familiar drum trashing was as effecting as it has been since the beginning and Mick Turner's jangling lead guitar acts out like the backbone that holds this manic noise together.
'This is a song about.......' is how Ellis introduces a track, the ramblings can lead anywhere from stories about LSD trips to hilarious jibes about Bon Jovi or Coldplay or whatever enters this man's mind at the given moment. If ever there were a man born to grace a stage, this is him, he walks the walk and talks the talk. The set list tonight included  a few 'chestnuts' from older records going back to 'Ocean Songs' and 'Horse Stories' which delighted many. 'Everything Is Fucked' was particularly appreciated, maybe just that title hit a note with the current declining economic state. Dirty 3 were on fire this night, a testimony to what they can achieve as a live act and a band that I will never tire of.

Dirty 3 live at The Button Factory

Father John Misty Live @ The Workman's Club Dublin. 24/11/2012.

Father John Misty @ The Workman's Club

This is certainly Josh Tillman's year it seems with the rave reviews he has received for his country blues inspired long player entitled 'Fear Fun'.The former Fleet Fox's drummer has already released 8 solo albums, but 'Fear Fun' is the first release under the moniker of Father John Misty.
I must thank my friend Joseph Hamilton from Bellingham, Washington for alerting me to this fine album that just seems to get better with every listen.This latest solo endeavour by Tillman has unleashed a barrage of attention his way, notably selling out many of his live dates well in advance across Britain.
So too was his Dublin gig a complete sell out last Saturday night, luckily enough I had a ticket earmarked before any chance of disappointment could occur.
The Workman's Club located at Wellington Quay in the heart of Dublin city, next door to U2's Clarence hotel was an excellent setting for such an intimate gig.
Although crammed to the walls in the venue area, it was easy to exit out to the several bars within the building to kick back and take a breather if required.

Kicking off with 'Fun Times In Babylon' the first song you will hear on the album, it was clear Father John Misty had the full attention of the 300 strong crowd for the rest of the night.

Sipping from a large bottle of Jameson between songs he unleashed some hilarious quips about such things as his Irish ancestry  which he mentioned was an“insignificant percentage.”

Clearly enjoying every minute he spent onstage he gave off an energy that was dynamic or outright rebellious at moments on songs like ' Hollywood Forever Cemetery Sings' and 'Only Son Of The Ladies Man'.

Naturally you can hear traces of the Fleet Fox's vibe running through some songs along with touches of perhaps more vintage influences from the likes of Gram Parsons or Townes Van Zant.

The final song of the night was a killer version of  Canned Heat's 'On The Road Again' that almost had some revellers bouncing off the walls of this small club.
U. K music magazine Uncut announced last week that 'Fear Fun' was their choice of album for 2012, not a bad accolade at all for someone who certainly has it sewn up as a live act.

The problem is next time Father John Misty hits Dublin, he will require a bigger venue to play in such was the enthusiasm after this gig.
It is difficult to pick a favourite track from 'Fear Fun', however 'Hollywood Forever Cemetery Sings' is a good place to start.