The Gobshytes

Went to see The Gobshytes at the Coach House last night. They are an Irish Punk/Folk/Rock band and are working on a cd this year, so every gig has some original sparks.

Other songs they've put pen to paper for are Bloodshot and The Clink, with more on the way. All three songs are terrific; Bloodshot actually gets my vote simply for the fact that they successfully worked "monkey" into the lyrics. Well played boys!

In concert The Gobshytes enthusiastically fling some Misfits and Stray Cats – like a nice dash of seasoning – into their hopped-up classic Irish pub and sea-shanty set which includes songs such as Black Velvet Band, South Australia, Broad Majestic Shannon,a kick-ass version of Paddy on the Railway and Limerick Rake to name a handful. If you've only ever heard traditional versions of these songs, (i.e., The Chieftains, The Wolfe Tones or The Dubliners, et al), first of all, good choice! Now step it up a notch and give 'em a listen with some rock'n'roll attitude thrown in. Until The Gobshytes' cd comes out later this year, give their songs a listen at their myspace page at http://www.myspace.com/thegobshytes.

You can also educate yourself by listening to The Pogues, Flogging Molly, and Dropkick Murphy's (who have a decidedly more after-the-match-pub-brawl sound) who clearly influenced The Gobshytes on their road to Irish attitudeville. Hey! Even better, go see our local boys up close and personal at The Gypsy Lounge in Lake Forest or Molly Malone's in Los Angeles. For more show dates see http://www.myspace.com/thegobshytes.

I LOVE watching The Gobshytes onstage; not only do they have that been-playing-together-forever tight sound, but they have FUN performing. Watch closely and at some point you'll see the Grin-Train begin…one of 'em starts grinning, and then, as if they've all just shared a telepathic joke, one by one the boys in the band are cracking themselves up. But instead of feeling like you've missed something, you just grin and tap and clap along, enjoying every personable moment. It's a brotherhood, without doubt, (perhaps more in the way of a fraternity on Saturday night) but an open, joyful, inviting brotherhood. Keep an eye on Jason (banjo) and Marc (bass guitar) as they huddle up on their mike…these guys have a mischievous air that brings to mind paper airplanes and after-school detention. Or sit entranced by lead singer/guitar Jake, and Randy – Jake's dad – who are both so infused with like-minded energy that it's hard to tear away from their performance. It's all moved along with quiet and powerful alacrity by Tod (drums) with bassist Marc – like the heartbeat of every great band, they thump away rat-a-tat-tat style.

I think, for me, what sets these guys apart from other, more widely known bands in this genre is that they have just an essence of rockabilly twang going on. An occasional haunting guitar riff brings to mind Elvis Presley's early recordings found on the Boy From Tupelo album. And that's all Andy, who slips on the slide to give The Gobshytes' renditions an early bluesy-rock injection.

So, wow...truly wonderful…to me music is about living and emotion and it is a magnificent power. In that vein, I NEVER leave a Gobshytes gig in anything but a rejuvenated mood.