Gurriers - The Grand Social
Gurriers - The Grand Social
words: David Carr
Three years ago, Gurriers tore up this venue like a wrestler in a Wendy house. They were a powered keg of a band; their debut LP may have been 12 months further down the road, but all the tracks were there, and that night they lit the fuse. While back-to-back sold-out Vicar Street and Olympia Theatre outings are imminent, I sense that night meant a lot to them, and they wanted to taste the intimate chaos once more on the eve of their sophomore album release.
They walk out to Ennio Morricone’s ‘For a Few Dollars More’. A comment on capitalism or an acknowledgement that this is a longed-for sequel? “It’s great to be back in Dublin after being with the Yanks for a couple of weeks. I hope you can dance better than them,” quips singer Dan Hoff. Then we’re off with set and album opener, the title track ‘Nobody’s Coming To Save You’. It’s a noisy call to arms: “Hope ain’t a whisper. It’s a door you break down doors with,” and though they freely confess, “We’re a band, we’re not a political party!” They do seem to be rounding up some foot soldiers.
The instant frenzy yields instant consequences. “Someone’s lost their phone,” says Hoff. “They’ve got a Tayto cock on the back of it.”…if they weren’t sure they were back in Ireland? This is followed by a moment of heartfelt honesty, admitting they are “So, so grateful for people to give a shit about what we do”. It quickly becomes clear the plan is to play the entire album front to back, meaning a standout from the A-side ‘Pins’ is given an early airing. It’s one of a couple of tracks that dial back the throttle a bit. Even in its more considered form, from the crowd continues to hurl itself about.
The interval of sorts is filled by a trio of stalwarts. “All right. Last time we played here. We played this song twice, because we didn't have any other fucking songs after the set… and the crowd was mental. Are you going to go mental again?” Everything agreed; the pit becomes a woodchipper dissolving bodies. The second ‘Des Goblin’ sees the crowd create a baying spiral of arms like being on the precipice of a black hole devouring everything in its vicinity. ‘Top of the Bill’ completes the gift to the debutants.
By the time ‘Nothing Happens Twice’ comes round, the crowdsurfers are running out of hands to keep bodies aloft. Hoff preempts the effect of the buzzsaw baseline in ‘Waiting for Fisher’ by parting the crowd. On one hand, he compassionately warns the people to “Be careful, I don’t want anyone to hurt themselves”, on the other, reminding them “You know what to do. You just run into each other”.
Gurriers have held back the gorgeous ‘I Wish I Was’, meaning tonight is its live debut. Only partially restrained, it still offers a hefty punch at its crescendo. Jokingly, Hoff suggests the early kick-off time (7pm) will allow those in attendance to see Black Nylon, Madra Salach, Westside Cowboy, or even the Gurriers DJ set later. That list didn’t even include Kelly Moran or Gong, who were vying for a calendar entry. ‘Crybaby’ sees out a brilliant set linked to a brilliant album. Fittingly, it contains the line “Everybody’s going to get up, go their own way. I need them all to stay. I want them all to stay.” At least they can have solace in the two more hurrahs due in the coming weeks.