We last caught up with the General Fiasco boys not so long ago back in
February [you can check out the interview at the bottom of the review]. Since
then they’ve completed a UK
tour, released their E.P “Don’t You Ever” and are back out on the road yet
again. We headed down to Leeds Cockpit to
check out the hard working Irish rockers.
General Fiasco's Owen Strathern
Instead of going straight in to release
the follow up to their acclaimed album, “Buildings”, General Fiasco have been
working hard switching up their sound, and developing as a band. They have instead
released a number of E.Ps; the most recent of which, “Don’t You Ever”, came out
at the beginning of March and on it the band incorporate a range of general
Fiasco favourites covering their entire musical career.
General Fiasco have built up a
solid fanbase and the show tonight at The Cockpit draws a plethora of fans; the
more mature and reserved appreciate the music from behind the young and feisty
supporters who pack the front of the stage. Opening with “Waves”, lead track on
the most recent E.P, the upbeat poppy discordant verses are met with smooth
flowing choruses. The perfect blend of vibrant melodies and gritty lyrics is
refreshing and infectious and the crowd agree.
Enda Strathern on stage in Leeds
With follow up album
“Unfaithfully Yours” released in June, General Fiasco take the opportunity tonight
to showcase a number of the new album tracks which equally captivate the
audience. The stripped back verses of “Hollows” leads the way to a catchy
chorus exemplifying a new maturity to the band. The anthemic “Please Take Your
Time” and General Fiasco classic “Rebel Get By” is played alongside album track
“Sleep”. With its catchy and quirky up-beat sound “Sleep” is so obviously a
General Fiasco song, yet the band’s sound has developed and oozes effortless
charm. The deafening screams and cheers from The Cockpit crowd only confirm
this.
General Fiasco on stage in Leeds
General Fiasco’s set builds in
pace and by the time the band break into crowd favourite “Every So Shy” the
animated crowd are on each other’s shoulders and vigorously singing every line
right back at lead singer Owen Strathern. And, of course, a General Fiasco show
wouldn’t be complete without an acoustic version of “Sinking Ships”. Tonight
the band are tighter than ever and bring a thunderous vigour to their live show.
General Fiasco have always kept to their roots; their Irish accents shine
through and the band prove they’re capable of writing indie rock hits that have
a bite and rawness to them. The show tonight is forceful, dynamic and
captivating. Having had a taster of the
new album, we can’t wait to hear what the rest of “Unfaithfully Yours” has in
store.
To watch what happened when we interviewed the boys back in February
see below.
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