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After a nine year wait, I finally got to see Hank III perform live last Sunday night (13th Sept). I’ll cut to the chase by saying that it didn’t disappoint. In fact, it excelled any expectations that I may have had. I travelled (once again) from Galway, the bog’s arse of Ireland over to London to catch his second night at The Garage in Highbury. The dark, beer sodden cavern being the perfect setting for what would evolve into a gargantuan display of raw, unadulterated talent. There’s something so visceral it’s almost feral dwelling within Hank III, this manifests itself within the skill in which he writes his songs and the passion with which he delivers them.

With full (Damn) band, he had the crowd going from the get go, tearing through favourites from his back catalogue such as ‘7 Months, 29 Days’, ‘The Grand Ol’ Opry (Ain’t So Grand Anymore)’ ‘Mississippi Mud’, ‘My Drinking Problem’ and ‘Dick In Dixie’. It was evident that the audience comprised of proper fans, both old and young. The rockabilly kids were all out in form, sporting the best hair and outfits I’ve seen in some time, rubbing shoulders with the crusty punks and the dreadlocked metal heads. This mixture worked so well, resulting in the perfect atmosphere. Everybody there was aware of what a treat this was, and so no one set out to mess it up for everyone else by being a drunken idiot (the downfall of so many concerts).

The sound was great and the lighting minimal. With such a large band and a mass of equipment, they dominated the stage. The line that Hank draws between punk and country is entirely his own and ultimately inimitable. He draws from his influences (as covers of songs such as ‘Cocaine Blues’ and Hank Williams classic ‘I’ll Never Get Out Of This World Alive’ display) but morphs them into his distinct and incendiary fashion. His ethics are ingrained deeply within his lyrics and he is never one to shy away from expressing his opinions, which are generally ones which I can relate to. He is a man who sees through all the bullshit, someone who knows what it’s all about and above all, a highly talented individual.

All of the supporting and accompanying musicians on the night were fabulous. After a dream like set of his Hellbilly classics, the pace lifted as the amalgamation of the Damn band and Assjack began to take place. I don’t know if the crowd were ready for Assjack, maybe they all just needed a smoke, maybe they were afraid of messing up their hair, I’m not sure, but there was a definite lull in the crowd once the country set finished. Thankfully, this proved to be temporary as within a few songs, there was a great number of people back up at the front. Nothing, I repeat, nothing could have prepared me for the onslaught of Assjack, and I wouldn’t have had it any other way.

Melting punk, hardcore and balls out metal in a manner of which I have rarely witnessed carried out to such success; this was the ultimate second half. Favourites from the new album including ‘Cocaine’, ‘Choking Gesture’ and ‘Gravel Pit’ blew my spiky haired little mind. Endless riffs and the addition of a second (man mountain of a) vocalist really meant that all the hardcore heads had something to take away with them. Hank’s time in bands such as Superjoint Ritual and Arson Anthem really shows when he lets loose with the heavy stuff. I have to say, I loved every moment. The man did not take a single break from start to finish and I think that’s it’s fair to say that there is a new contender for the crown of ‘Hardest working man in rock’.

Ghostly, enigmatic and powerful, Hank III leaves you with something indescribable. An artist who appreciates the fact that anyone comes out to the shows, expressing sincere humility and respect for the fans, a rare thing in the ego obsessed, image conscious façade that permeates the musical culture of today. I’d have been happy after an hour, we were lucky enough to be given several. Speaking of luck, I got to meet Hank briefly after the show and managed to have a brief chat with him. I am not one to usually do this, but I felt compelled to say hey and overall, ‘Thank you’. He is as charismatic and charming an individual as I could have ever hoped. I look forward with baited breath to the next time I get to see him live, let’s hope it’s just not another nine years before that happens.

For some more Hank III and over an hour of the best Death Country out there, click HERE.

And remember, even though artists like Hank III are totally cool with fans taking video and making recordings at the gigs, they need us to help them survive. Do this by buying your albums or merch from the official site (HERE) or just go to a show. Let’s not let great music die.

More footage available HERE

With an imminent full review to come later, I shall just say that Dawn of the Don was one of the most memorable nights that I have ever had. Here are the first batch of pictures. Look out for the review in the wee small hours.

There are certain advantages to living in the bog arse of nowhere. Tonight was a vivid display of one of them. In regards to gigs, it is rare that any show in Galway cannot be described as ‘intimate’. Morrissey’s performance this evening was no exception. For some reason, the only time that you would imagine to see Morrissey in a leisure centre would have been back in the 80’s when the Smiths were touring the working men’s clubs of the UK.

Amongst the stench of chlorine and sweat, the hall was filling up early with eager fans young and old. It almost seemed like a competition for a while as to who had the oldest Smiths T Shirt, but the friendliness of the revellers was a pleasant reminder of when gigs were social accumulations of like minded people. Talking to others before the show really emphasised the commitment and love that Morrissey’s supporters possess. One guy who I was speaking to approached me to compliment my clothes, saying that it was great to see that ‘Some people still made the effort to dress up for a gig’ it transpired that he was there on his own, his ticket being a gift from his girlfriend, who whilst supporting his love for Morrissey, refused to accompany him to the show. The delightful Lady P had previously maintained a similar stance on Mozza, but tonight definitely changed her mind. It’s a shame that this guy’s good lady didn’t give herself the same chance.

The setlist was everything a long-time listener could have hoped for. Bursting onstage to ‘This Charming Man’, Morrissey seemed in fantastic form. He was quite short on banter, making up for it in the power and delivery that he put into each individual track. He did find time to get a nice dig in at HMV though: ‘Just to let you know that HMV Galway wouldn’t stock our new single. I guess the moral is that it never gets any easier.’ This brought a particular smile to my face. He played very little new material, preferring to stick to Smiths songs and favourites from ‘You Are the Quarry’.

His stage presence is still second to none. It was as if he felt more at ease with the tiny venue and the basic setup and stage. He relished the opportunity to be this close to his fans, and his accentuated gesticulation is such a joy to witness a few feet away. ‘Ask’, ‘Girlfriend in a Coma’, ‘Some Girls Are Bigger than Others’, ‘How Soon is now?’ and ‘There Is a Light That Never goes out’ were personal highlights. With ‘Irish Blood, English Heart’, ‘Let Me Kiss You’ and ‘First Of The Gang To Die’ becoming stronger assets in his arsenal than upon their initial release (can it be five years already?). ‘Throwing my arms around Paris’ is soon becoming an equally anthemic track. The band was note perfect, aside form a brief mistake with the drumming, to which Morrissey quipped: ‘Was it me that made a mistake? No? Well, then that’s all that matters then.’

In short, I converted my good lady wife with this show, she reminded me of the time, almost a decade ago, when we first moved in together. She mischievously hid all my Smiths Cd’s so I couldn’t listen to them. It was so nice to see just how much she enjoyed tonight’s performance. With so many Morrissey hater’s in the world, it would be great if some of them would just try a live show, and see if their opinion remains by the end.

It was a long time coming, but every moment of this evening’s show was masterful and highly memorable. To see such a musical giant, stripped down to the bare essentials, with raw and uncomplimentary sound only adding to the atmosphere, was a great pleasure. It’s not often such things happen. For old Smiths fans who I spoke to after the show, it was like seeing him twenty years ago. As good a compliment as I could imagine. In short, if he’s coming near your home town, Morrissey’s ‘Refusal’ Tour is one to catch.

Support was by ‘Doll and the Kicks’ who were a fantastic warm-up. At first sight, they serve as a reminder that you haven’t been in Topman for a while, but their music quickly detracts from their ultra cool image. At times they sound remarkably like ‘Siouxsie and the Banshees’ and Kate Bush and then Tori Amos and then, they just sound like themselves. A really interesting and exciting new group, who have remarkable potential. Fingers crossed for them, they have a great opportunity and here’s hoping they do well, as they deserve to.

A great show, it was such a rarity for an artist who would more likely be seen from the rafters of the gargantuan O2 Arena, or at a crowded festival. This small town comes up trumps once in a while, and it has done itself proud tonight. One of the best shows in a very long time, Morrissey is truly on top of his game right now, and you would be doing yourself a disservice by missing out.

Setlist:
This Charming Man
Billy Budd
Black Cloud
How Soon Is Now?
Irish Blood, English Heart
How Can Anybody Possibly Know How I Feel?
Girlfriend In A Coma
I’m Throwing My Arms Around Paris
Mama Lay Softly On The Riverbed
When Last I Spoke To Carol
Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others
Let Me Kiss You
The Loop
Something Is Squeezing My Skull
Seasick, Yet Still Docked
The World Is Full Of Crashing Bores (Not Played)
I Keep Mine Hidden
Sorry Doesn’t Help
Ask
I’m OK By Myself
First Of The Gang To Die

As promised, here are a few of the pictures from the Leonard Cohen show last Sunday.

It was amazing to see him holding the flowers that Paula is holding in the first shot, a very memorable touch to a perfect evening. God Bless you Leonard Cohen.