Finbar Hoban presents... in association with All Affairs fancy dress ‘Night of the Living Freaks’ Halloween fancy dress ball with the legendary Kilkenny band Kerbdog live at the Ruby Room in the TF Royal Theatre tonight (Friday, October 26 ). Expect to see all manner of evil fiendish ghouls rise up from their watery graves and make their way to The Ruby Room for one of the most anticipated events in the Castlebar live event calendar this year.
Support on the night will come from not one but three ghoulish acts — Underwater Picnic, Gascan Ruckus, and No Spill Blood.
For those of you who do not already know, Kerbdog are an alternative rock band from Kilkenny. Following two albums released on Mercury Records, the band split up in 1998. Since 2005 the band have reformed for a series of occasional one-off performances in Ireland and England.
Originally named Rollercoaster, Kerbdog was formed in 1991 by Cormac Battle (vocals/guitar ), Colin Fennelly (bass guitar ) and Darragh Butler (drums ) while attending St Kieran's College. In early 1993, Kerbdog signed with Mercury Records subsidiary Vertigo Records. That summer, Kerbdog recorded their self-titled debut album at Rockfield Studios in Wales. The album was produced by Jack Endino, who helped cement the Seattle grunge sound along with Sub Pop.
1994 saw a run of gigs, including a support slot with Therapy? The debut album was released that year to acclaim, and two further singles were released, ‘Dry Riser’ and ‘Dummy Crusher’.
In early 1996 the Mercury Music Group was bought by PolyGram Records, and Kerbdog shifted to Fontana Records, Vertigo's sister label at PolyGram. That spring the band returned to the recording studio to work on their second album. Produced by GGGarth, On The Turn was recorded in Los Angeles. Rumours are currently floating around that there may be new material from Kerbdog at the end of 2012.
Dublin band No Spill Blood take their name from The Island of Doctor Moreau by way of an Oingo Boigo song, which is fitting. The group itself is something of an ungodly chimera. Composed of members of Adebisi Shank, Hands Up Who Wants To Die?, Elk and Magic Pockets, some might call them a super group. The music, too, smacks of mad science gone awry, in a strange but fascinating way. Their monster is made of noise, emotionally damaged synthesisers, prog rock, post-rock, and various sorts of core. It is a psychedelic, city-destroying thing that you should really listen to. Also expect Derry band Gascan Ruckus to bring their alternative form of punk to The Ruby Room this Saturday night along with Galway band Underwater Picnic.
So get your thinking caps on as there will be loads of prizes for best dressed costume including the legendary Michael Jackson ‘Thriller’ dance-off, where members of the audience will be asked to re-enact the dance scene from the excellent Thriller video. This promises to be a great night, and a packed house is expected so do arrive early. Doors open 8pm, show 8.30 sharp. Tickets are available on the door.
