Welsh (I suggest you don’t ask if they’re English!) band Mclusky, came in like a lion and unlike the month of March, went out like a lion, too: the veteran post-hardcore trio blasted an animated crowd at Philadelphia’s Underground Arts last month with 19 kickass tracks, reaching back to the early 2000’s.
Written by Jonathan Lane
The band consists of founding member Andy Falkous on vocals and guitar, along with Jack Egglestone on drums and Damien Sayell on vocals and bass.
Mclusky is generally labeled a Post Hardcore band. As defined by Wikipedia, “the Post Hardcore genre maintains the aggression and intensity of hardcore punk but emphasizes a greater degree of creative expression initially inspired by post-punk and noise rock.” This captures the no-nonsense assault by Andy and his bandmates that night.
The band’s offering was mostly short, seemingly one-topic, right to the point songs delivered with rough edges and expert, aggressive musicianship. Together with the raw, in-your-face delivery was that aforementioned “greater degree of creative expression”, and devilish lyrics and between-song banter-the latter mostly by Falkous. Andy’s guitar work is right on point and perfectly attuned to the genre. He amuses with a sharp, ironic wit. However, he seems to take pains to keep the crowd in on the joke.
Sayell’s thumping bass work is only outdone by his seemingly limitless energy as he bounces, jumps, and darts aggressively across and around the entire stage, and Egglestone’s hard-hitting, in the pocket drumming kept his bandmates on point and the crowd jumping the entire time.
Photo Gallery from Mclusky performance below.
Photography by Jonathan Lane
https://www.photographer-jonathan-lane.com/home
Some highlights for me included:
Opener Fuck This Band – deceptively low key, with no hint for newbies of what’s to come. Is “this band” a self-deprecating Mclusky or a rival who’s stumbled upon a lucky break, and now the target of Mclusky’s acid tongue?
Without MSG I Am Nothing – perfectly paints the hellish sonic landscape of a world devoid of MSG. (or, by “MSG” does Mclusky mean, “substance, in this digital world”?)
You Should Be Ashamed, Seamus – grungy headbanger, if that’s not a contradiction in terms.
Are you a punk fan? Do your best and make it to the next Mclusky show near you.
Mclusky – Underground Arts – Philadelphia, PA – March 9, 2024
Set List
- Fuck This Band
- Dethink to Survive
- Without MSG I Am Nothing
- Collagen Rock
- What We’ve Learned
- Day of the Deadringers
- Unpopular Parts of a Pig
- Lightsabre Cocksucking Blues
- Chases
- She Will Only Bring You Happiness
- The Digger You Deep
- Et tu, Edwards?
- You Should Be Ashamed, Seamus
- To Hell With Good Intentions
- Rice Is Nice textbook vintage punk
- The Battle of Los Angelesea
- Alan is a Cowboy Killer
- Gareth Brown Says
- Whoyouknow
Photo Gallery of support band The Martha’s Vineyard Ferries Photography by Jonathan Lane
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