Frankenstein Bolts weave some magic in Cleere's Theatre, Kilkenny

The back room in Cleere’s Theatre wove its magic again on Friday last with a concert that was food for both the heart, the mind and the soul.

Tim V Smyth, late of Kilkenny and member of the highly regarded (and much missed) Hidden Highways started the evening with a fine collection of subtle, low key gems. He noted that these were far from the recorded versions and he was as surprised as were we at how they sounded in the most basic form.

Tim personally exudes a sardonic look at the world but his songs are full of melody, wonder and wisdom. (A personal favourite, Effra Road, was a case in point.) New music is promised and is also working with Frankenstein Bolts on their new material. 

Surprisingly, Frankenstein Bolts had not played in Kilkenny for some years and they admitted to some nervousness: if it was there, it was not noticeable. This was a band locked in both time, mood and the moment. 

Their music is hard to define, but that’s not a criticism. Understated, certainly, but that’s not to damn with faint praise. There are flavours, touches, hints and influences, all wrapped in beautiful guitar washes and underpinned by a subtle but solid rhythm section. When bands lock in, it’s almost not noticeable, but there’s a sense of confidence within the group, assured without being showy, a tribute to long hours in rehearsals.  

The songs, musically, have great dynamics without being bombastic and while the lifts in the songs are subtle, you find yourself lifted beautifully. New songs made you want to go back to their CD version and we are now looking forward to hearing the finals versions of the fine news songs premiered on the night. 

Lyrically, the words reflect the personal and universal. 'Old Horse Mind', based on observations in Kieran Street, capture the particular and the universal perfectly. Justin Cullen has that knack of reaching in to the listener, his voice blended in to the band sound but very much present. 

Add in the measured, close harmonies and the band lift things off the ground figuratively and (perhaps) actually throughout the night. Certainly the warm and genuine applause for each song suggested this was the feeling in the room. 

Helming the sound of this gorgeous evening was Davy Holland, getting the most of both the band and the wonderful acoustics of this truly unique venue.