Wednesday 29 February 2012

General Fiasco // Interview & Live Review


Last week Est.1987 managed to catch up with Owen, Enda, Stephen and Stuart, aka- General Fiasco. The mid point in their headline tour had brought them to Manchester and we hung out with them pre-show. 

The "Rebel Get By" songsters have had a busy couple of years since the release of their debut album, "Buildings", and 2012 is set to be no different!






Click below to watch what the boys had to say to us about now being a four-piece, album number two and just how rebellious they really are!





And here's what happened when General Fiasco took to the stage...

General Fiasco as shot by John Garon
General Fiasco [GF] are kicking off their 2012 with a headline tour and forthcoming EP release. Now signed to Dirty Hit records (Little Comets, Benjamin Francis Leftwich), the  four-piece from Northern Ireland are eager to take to the stage here at Manchester’s Club Academy. The five date tour is short and sweet and the boys admit they wish it was longer. However, tonight reaffirms their fans’ indulgence for the band and marks the beginning of a great year for the indie rockers; a year that will hopefully see them making an even bigger impact than they did in 2011. Supported throughout the dates by Irish friends More Than Conquerors and Manchester’s very own The 1975, GF’s set, much like the line-up, is diverse.

Stuart Bell on stage in Manchester
Crowd favourites that could not be left out are mixed with newer material and hint to the direction of the band’s follow up album. GF’s healthy roster of new and old songs makes sure the audience gain an entertaining perspective of the band’s musical progression. Newer songs such as “Brother Is” fit perfectly in the set with old favourites “We Are The Foolish” and “Ever So Shy”. More recent recordings work to add a new flavour to the band’s repertoire. Still, in keeping with the band’s captivating choruses and strong rhythms, the selection of newer songs seem more mature and poignant. However, they do not detract from hits such as “Dancing With Girls” where Owen’s strong lead vocals are backed up by brother Enda.

Lead singer Owen Strathern
Midway through the set all but Owen leave the stage. An acoustic version of “Sinking Ships” follows. The catchy lyrics and melody are perfectly delivered by GF’s front-man; his belting vocals fill the venue as the crowd sings every word back at him. This perfect break in the set refuels the audience and then the remaining members return to the stage.

Debut single and resounding crowd favourite “Rebel Get By” closes the set this evening. Tonight’s show is just a taster of what the band, from a small village in Northern Ireland, have got in store for us this year! And it is exciting! 




Band photos & video credit with thanks to John Garon - http://www.johngaron.com/