Like Rubyhorse before them, Stand’s bags have been packed and passports stamped, as emigration to the US has proved fruitful for a band that specialises in the kind of commercial rock Americans can’t get enough off.
Their third album In A Happy Place is rooted in the radio friendly genre, and it’s on the back of this, coupled with a successful tour of the US College circuit, that Stand returned to Dublin.
Opening with new song ‘On The Surface’ they immediately launched into the kind of over-the-top emotional rock display one associates with Nickelback or Busted.
Co-Vocalist and bassist Neil Eurelle was the main culprit, throwing Spinal Tap moves throughout the show. It lent songs such as ‘From The Guts’ a certain amount of insincerity and at times the band’s performance seemed forced and contrived. ‘Walking With Ghosts’ was an early highlight in a rather bland start, amply aided by the audience’s vocal support. However it wasn’t until mid-way through the set that Stand really began to impress. A lamp was lit on stage to create an intimate atmosphere, and it seemed to ignite the band creatively as electric guitars were ditched in favour of acoustics. A more natural sound flowed and the beautiful ‘Night Falls’ lingered long after Alan Doyle had whispered its closing words. It wasn’t long before we returned to Nickelback territory though and the lads began to “rock” in the way your dad might.
Any criticisms though by this reviewer weren’t echoed by the sizeable crowd at the Vicar Street venue, many of whom had flown in from New York. Throughout they mouthed the words of each song and were howling for more after a rapturously received ‘Sweet Little Lucifer’. You can’t please all of the people all of the time though, and while at times entertaining I couldn’t shake the thought that this was just rock and roll without any soul.