Opening the evening was Dave McPherson, frontman from the rock band InMe – although this performance was about his solo work as a more traditional singer songwriter and showcasing his powerful voice and wonderful guitar playing.
There was only the one tune performed from his main band, which sat well alongside his solo career, for example “Kingdom” a song where McPherson’s voice sounds compelling and beautifully natural. The intimacy of one man/one guitar also meant there was time to reminisce over when InMe had graced the stage of the Joiners in the past, a gig where McPherson had thrown up on his own shoes (due to being dehydrated rather than any rock n roll antics).
Embarking upon his first solo tour Andy Cairns of Northern Islands Therapy? played a set that covered much of the bands back catalogue (unlike the recent Therapy? tour which pulled heavily from newer material and a few classics), songs search as early single “Meat Abstract” through to “Living in the Shadow of the Terrible Thing” from the 2012 Brief Crack of the Light album all being given the acoustic treatment.
The aforementioned more recent song working really well acoustically, as did “Stop it you’re Killing me” from Therapy?’s classic 90’s album Trubblegum, and although there may have been the odd tune that didn’t translate as well as others to this format the crowd constantly sang along, helping Andy Cairns through his personal challenge of an acoustic tour.
With many of these songs being three minute masterpieces it meant the set was a good twenty-something that were aired this evening, and for the anoraks amongst us it was great to hear the likes of “Evil Elvis”. There was also time for Andy Cairns to perform a couple of new songs, so it will be interesting to see if any of these make it onto the new album, “Bedridden” certainly had a stripped down Therapy? feel to it.
Tonight was even better than anticipated, and it was nice to hear some story telling of times gone past, the history behind “Screamager” and the Smash Hits award show, the drug induced days around the Infernal Love period and the more personal side of spending time at home with the family.
With Cairns on top form he was then joined onstage by his roadie/unofficial Therapy? band mate to perform a few more classics as well as covering the Misfits “Where Eagles Dare”, before ending what was an enjoyable alternative to seeing Therapy? and a fun night out a venue that a while ago was in danger of closing – so thanks to everyone for keeping the Joiners alive and kicking.
Mr Teeth
