Peel Your Own Spuds Millennium Centre Gig Review

Pictures by Adam Leach

More pics on http://files.axemansplace.co.uk/Spuds.zip

Not many Irish bands get to play one of the worlds leading Arts venues, the newly built Millennium Centre in Cardiff Bay. But Peel Your Own Spuds are not just any old Irish band, the rip roaring Celtic rock band who are based in Wales have already had a number of TV appearances and have built up a large loyal following. The line up for tonight’s gig was a five piece set up of Mike Vodden ( Bass& Backing Vocals), Keith Boast(Drums), Rosie O Donnell( Lead Vocals, Whistle and guitar), Tom Flannelly(Vocals, Mandolin& Guitar), Scott McKeown (Banjo and Fiddle).

The last time I saw the Wales based Peel Your Own Spuds was in August 2009 when they played the Full Irish Radio weekend in Manchester. I caught the band at their warm up gig in the Oasis bar of the Farmers Arms which was packed out and then the following day they got another great reception at the outdoor gig for The Full Irish Radio Festival gig.
This time the band had won a support slot to Paul Merton and they gave their loyal fans who packed out the prestigious venue in Cardiff a special hour set full of energy, which had the audience begging for more.
Dressed in Black to reflect the contemporary feel of this prestigious venue, the bands unusual mixed line up of one female (They usually have two females) and four males is an eye catching combination, which is easy on the eye and the ear. The bands ages make them appeal to young and older audiences and tonight’s reception was no different.
The gig kicked off with the upbeat "Tomi Tomi" which got the spectators feet tapping due to a catchy banjo riff, exciting bass lines and smooth irresistible vocals of Rosie O’Donnell. This was followed by the irresistible "Tall Grass". Then an Irish ballad called" You're Not Bad" which is widely fancied as being the group's first single, featuring Rosie's accordion and Scott's fiddle and Tom's lyrics being a modern take on the word friendship. Then two brand new songs were played. These were "Watching them all Pass" and "It's Grand", the latter written about the use of the word "grand" which in Ireland is used quite a lot no matter what the news! This was explained by Tom to the audience who really took to this new song! Then straight into "Casey's March" followed on with an instrumental traditional number called "Pinch of Snuff" which had the audience respond with a raptures applause. Then the old favourites "Let It Pour", straight into the "Boss" and then onto "The Eighties" a song lamenting that great decade. Coming to the close, the catchy "Get me Out of Here" was played featuring the rhythm sections of Mick, Keith and Tom's catchy rhythmic beat!
Finally it was the turn of " Fare Thee Well" written about leaving Castlerea Railway Station in County Roscommon during the last mass exodus of the Irish to the UK was a fitting ending to the set. It was played at a furious pace which had the crowd on their feet shouting for more.