📷 Two Finger Media

MATTY JAMES CASSIDY BAND: Matty, who also plays bass guitar with Tyla’s Dogs D’Amour, is a Northern Ireland guitarist and singer who originally started off as a drummer. He and his own band comprising of Phil (his brother) on guitar, Bret Barnes on sax, and Ace Carlton on drums, play rabble rousing songs, some with a country folk vibe and some with punk and definitely a Celtic rebel sound to many of them. He has an amazing presence on stage with his chiselled sideburns and rock and roll appearance, but what I loved most about this band was the energy and excitement they created on stage, Bret looking and playing like a heavy metal version of Roxys Phil Manzanera, and the great duet of Phil’s guitar and Ace’s hand clapping and fist pumping rhythms it was a real rock and roll rebel punk country time in that room: the place was packed but everyone still managed to dance and pogo around to Matty and the guys, it was like some kind of Ceilidh mosh pit. I look forward to seeing Matty again later in the year at HRH Sleaze when he’s playing with Tyla and the gang.

Review posted on Jace Media. Written by Dave Martin.