poodle murphy

here’s one of my favourite people on the planet showing off LMAO

wotcha, trash glam nation! your good friend and correspondent is BACK in action!

after months of counting down the days until the next gig, it feels bloody good to be on the road again. the rats have played yet another killer show as part of the night & day festival last sunday. a delicious 90-minute set, a handful of surprises and the gig-typical chaos - you know the drill. enjoy an assortment of photos from yours truly - this time, taken on my fancy camera!! because i ought to take it out more often.

lough key forest park, roscommon, 31st of may.

the two powerhouses, darren beale and paul cuddleford on guitars, shredding like there's no tomorrow!!

bob and pete, a duo for the ages!!

highlight of the gig: the fabulous imelda may has joined the boys onstage for "she's so modern"!! mad flashbacks to the hot press gig.

giving the people what they want, which is more pictures of pete briquette, of course.

my GOAT alan dunne on keys with derek o'connor on sax, during a rather groovy rendition of "banana republic". also featuring: the cheery smiley barnard on drums!

i don't think i'll ever get tired of doing this - i'm approaching my 10th rats concert (this july, believe it or not!) and i'm not winding down anytime soon. every time i see the guys live, it always feels like the very first. the sheer joy i get from hearing these songs again and again is really hard to descibe, so just believe me - it was an electrifying time all around. and the crowd was going abso-fucking-lutely mental - at a family festival, nonetheless!!

one of my favourite parts about going to the shows has got to be eavesdropping on the other concert goers after the gig. seasoned rat fans, fresh converts, people who've never heard of the band before - everyone's raving about just how bloody good they are - 50 years, going stronger than ever! i was hanging around the merch stand and overheard a handful of families come around asking for child-size rats tees. so imagine the joy on the little guy's face when they pulled out the last extra-small shirt - the kids are alright!!

BOOMTOWN BONUS: another exciting addition to my collection of "she's so modern" dances, featuring the queen of ireland herself! (oh, and imelda may was there too. /j)

as a teaser, have a peek at last night’s setlist!

(these spot the difference games are getting stranger!!)

your esteemed field reporter safely arrived in carrick town and had an excellent night out. magical events transpired. kebabs were messily eaten. a handful of rodents may have been involved. this is the life.