The Chapters at The Button Factory

The Chapters, Friday 23rd April at The Button Factory

Having knocked on the Irish music industries all too tight door for what seems an eternity, it appears those hinges have finally loosened somewhat, inviting in the awesome individual talents of Dublin band ‘The Chapters’. Unfortunately for this particular bunch of lads, a once steady progression was faltered at a late stage in proceedings by the shake and quake of recessionary times. Taking to the stage at Temple Bar’s Button Factory on the 23rd April, Ross McNally-lead vocals, Simon Eustace-guitarist, Mike Murphy-bassist, Ciaran Fortune-drummer and percussionist Turlough Gunawardhana, a dilutable mix like no other Irish act at the present time, played their impressive seventy-five minute set to their ever growing fan base. Unforgettable and ridiculously catchy songs ‘Trying to get ahead’, ‘Perfect stranger’ and ‘Ukiyo’ managed to keep those same fans boisterous spirits up. An excited front-stage crew almost managed to match the five-piece band for vocal effect. They remained an unmatched loyalty. Ireland, a notoriously hard note to crack, seems to be nurturing ‘The Chapters’, and it’s high time that they stood back to allow their music do the talking… singing, whichever.

The gig, a relatively intimate affair watched by over two hundred people, welcomed the lads first Irish set since their trip to Italy, where their sound gathers momentum by the month. The Irish audience couldn’t help but sing along to lead-singer Ross’s smoky vocals, one fan comparing his to that of Kings of Leon lead singer Caleb Followill. “He sounds just awesome, fantastic. The male and female fans seem to be lapping it up every time.” Adding to the mix, the band opted to beat out a cover version of Bruce Springsteen’s ‘Dancing in the dark’, making you feel like you were listening to the original in all of its glory, it was that good.

Bass player Murph AKA Michael Murphy said: “Ya, it’s been hectic as hell these past few years, but we love what we’re doing, so really, we can have no complaints.” Laid back and modest, he continued: “We’re off to Berlin for three gigs mid-June playing showcases and then it’s back to Italy for late July to early August… and then we play Indiependence in Mitchelstown on the August bank holiday.” It seems that bands today really need to go that extra mile. However, at this stage, it’s time for the Irish music industry to meet them half way.

The set, give or take the odd beer run on bass player Michael Murphy’s part, was continuous hard graft. What’s a show minus an ice cold beer, after all? A live recording of the gig added further gusto to surroundings, the audience more than willing to show their appreciation. This is one band who work hard for their craft having, all too notably, dealt with the aforementioned recession as a music deal fell by the wayside at the last hurdle due to financial difficulties with the producer. This didn’t stop them from continuing to do what they loved, wracking up the hour time in building their own rehearsal space in a disused factory and working on demos. Taking to the road throughout Ireland , they have not stopped ever since their album launch last year. With constant touring and squeaky clean performances such as the one at The Button Factory it shouldn’t be too long till the band become a household name, be it in Ireland or abroad, whichever comes first.

By: Brian O’Driscoll