This Dublin hard-rock outfit, formed over a decade ago, have made significant waves – particularly in the US where they’ve toured tirelessly – without ever breaking into the limelight here in Ireland. Well, that may be about to change.
Their hard work across the Atlantic has certainly paid off: they’ve had songs included in hit TV shows such as CSI, Jersey Shore and the most recent American Pie movie. And they have become a huge draw on the US rock circuit. Now, their debut album, released in the US in 2010 is belatedly receiving a European launch.
Their sound is a blend of classic, blues-based, hard rock going right back to Hendrix, Led Zeppelin and Sabbath with early ‘90s grunge and a bit of Motörhead thrown into the mix. The opener ‘Love Is Dead’ is a smouldering rocker with frontman Daniel Jordan singing his heart, soul and lungs out. ‘Cocaine Chest Pains’, the most Zep-sounding track here, is a terrific rocker with an earth-shattering riff, and a thundering rhythm section backing another powerful vocal performance. Apart from their impressive sonic attack, the songs are strong: there’s a lyrical intelligence at work, with the title track, ‘White Collar Lies’, taking aim squarely at war-mongering politicians and corporate corruption alike. “All the lives you bought and sold, you left love out in the cold,” Jordan accuses. Meanwhile ‘Love Sick Blues’ (not the Hank Williams song) is a skuzzy love song that recalls Smashing Pumpkins in the guitar riff department.
Elsewhere, well turned out numbers like, ‘Bring It On Home’ and ‘Sub Human’ display a supreme confidence that can only come from putting the work in. It’d be great to see Kopek getting the recognition they deserve at home.