night life

Abuse your Illusion

For me, last Friday was a busy night. Not only did I get to do some great whiskey tasting at the Dublin Whiskey Festival, I made it to Fibber Magees in time to catch a Guns and Roses Tribute (cover) band, called Abuse Your Illusion.

The band started at 11 PM, and did a full 2 hour set covering all of the best Guns and Roses songs. The above is some of the highlights and photos put together into “video” format. (Sorry it’s a bit far back as I was at the back – to avoid the front pit.) Overall, the crowd was pretty great, and as you can hear from the video, they were singing along to everything from Patience, to Sweet Child o’mine to November Rain, to Paradise City, and Knocking on Heaven’s Door, and Live & Let Die. I can’t imagine how hot the band was (under the spotlights and in costume) but they really had down the mannerisms and sound of the original. They were brilliant, and I look forward to going again when they’re in town.

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The Bell – Kiera Dignam

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04/12/2013 – This night found me heading into the city center to a pub I’d never been to before, called Arthur’s Pub on Thomas Street, but I wasn’t able to stay. Why? I had an appointment back in Blanchardstown – where I found myself at the local Blanchardstown watering hole – The Bell Pub.

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The Bell is local here in Blanchardstown, and is a good sized pub with a front pub area, a back pub area (nicknamed the old man’s pub) and a side room for events and hosting carvery on the weekends. It’s comfortable, and on the weekends fairly hopping with the local clientele who come here before heading out elsewhere.

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Tonight’s entertainment was a young lady named Kiera Dignam. Kiera is a petite lady, standing maybe to my shoulder, but has a big voice that she uses to get the pub rocking to retro tunes with her partner singing backup. She has a pretty good range – covering everything from Stevie Wonder all the way to modern R&B hits. Most of the evening, she manages to get the pub singing along with her, and having a great time.

For Kiera Dignam’s facebook page, please click here.

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For more photos, please see my flickr site here.

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Arthur’s Pub – T’anks General

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04/12/2013 – This night found me heading into the city center to a pub I’d never been to before, called Arthur’s Pub on Thomas Street. The Pub is two floors, with the bottom floor having large windows, a fireplace and bar flanking the inside wall. The people inside looked happy with the food they were eating, and seemed to be having some nice chats. What I was interested in, however, was up the staircase – an upper bar area with a stage at one end.

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While I didn’t stay the entire night, as the gigs started way too early (7pm) and I had an appointment somewhere else, I did get to see two bands. The first band was, naturally, T’anks General. I have known these guys for a while now and they’re my colleagues at work. Despite the lowest crowd numbers (really – who starts a gig at 7pm on a Friday!!) – it was only myself and 2 bar tenders – the guys put their hearts into playing, even though they were a band member short (he was still at work). Luckily this talented crew can play their music as a 4 piece or a 3 piece!

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For more information on where they’re playing next, check out their facebook page here.

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For more pictures from the evening, checkout my flickr site here.

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