Review of The Dykeenies supported by Healthy Minds Collapse and Last Summer Effect at The Ironworks on the 19th of November.
We went to The Dykeenies with limited expectations, not because of any particularly negativitity, just as a result of not hearing or seeing them. So it was with a very open mind that we ventured out to The Ironworks on a very dank cold night.
First on the bill were Last Summer Effect, our support of whom have been consistent and unashamed. The band appear to be maturing in front of our eyes and the reliable songs hold a validity and punchiness.It was the new track “So Long” that grabbed our attention. Chris had introduced the song as being about the bull shit reality so the increased emotional intensity was no real surprise.
We grabbed a quick word with Chris and he was particularly pleased with the audience interaction. It was a good night for the band, and we look forward to hearing how the other new material evolves.
A year, take a day, Healthy Minds Collapse played a gig which was reviewed by The Scotsman , unfortunately 7 folk turned up and the reviewer was unimpressed .
So it was an appropriate contrast that they were playing to a bigger and more enthusiastic, younger audience, of the back off their recent album release (Butterfly Skin). The Methil trio shot through their rock tunes, tinged with angst. The head nodding was almost obligatory. W e genuinely wish the reviewer for The Scotsman had been at the gig tonight, the band’s approach and sound is well worthy of another listen. Health Minds Collapse return to Inverness on the 29th of October to Madhatters,
So to The Dykeenies who had posted on their Facebook page earlier in the day :
Inverness here we come! if you’re around the schneckie tonight make your way to the Ironworks for some Dyke action. we’re also playing, boom, a joke and a genuine fact..
Subsequently we should have been prepared for the charming,funny and exceptionally engageable frontman, Brian Henderson. The Glaswegian charm was there in bucket-fulls, dealing with enthusiastic fans (specially nod to Jason “super fan”) with an equal balance of wit and cheek.
There was an obvious anticipation for some songs from the audience, which passed us by,and allowed us a greater appreciation of the new material from ‘Canyon of Echoes’. Indeed it is still early days for the album (released early this month) and we got the sense that the audience had not yet had the opportunity to listen to the album, after the gig we suspect that sales will go up.
The Dykeenies rely heavily on the “big echoey choruses” touched on anthemic but never over sentimental or forced. Some of the songs styling did feel a bit commercial, but probably more related to my age than any contrived attempt by the band. It was ’Sound of the City’ that bore great example of the indie-pop combo that may be the making of them.
It’s hard to figure out where The Dykeenies are in their career, with the well documented fanfare and success initially, we suspect that it is the material, and not the other aspects of the band, that will answer that question. For us, The Dykeenies are on the march again, and if you have not caught them live yet you will not be dissapointed.
Review by Chris Lemon
Photographs by Thomas Bisset Photography
Thanks to the Ironworks, once again.
