The Finale - Full Review

Note: Part of this review appeared in GBG magazine - this is the full version featuring JJ Corbin, Day Release, Teaspoonriverneck and FireFly from the Performing Arts Centre on August 8th 2008.

Anyway on the real stuff....

The end of every summer in Guernsey sees large numbers of 18 year olds head off to university and higher education off the island, and as a result it means that August and September often marks the end of regular performances from some of the island’s younger bands.

August 8 2008 saw emo-metallers FireFly reach this point as they staged ‘The Finale’ at the Performing Arts Centre, marking their final show.

First on stage was another young man who will be heading off island come September, J.J. Corbin. Having become known and seen primarily as front man of electric blues bands, either in the Spitshine days a year ago, or more recently with Spoonful, for this show Joe took the stage alone and armed with just his amplified acoustic guitar.

Mixing acoustic blues and easy listening rock Joe once again showed the talent that has grown within him over the last few years as both his style of blues and other numbers really hit all the marks.

His solo material also shows the diversity in his music from Damien Rice like sounds through to the original blues style of Robert Johnson all of which seemed to go down very well with the relaxed, if a little distant, crowd.

Day Release were next up on stage and seemed to bring the energy in the hall up slightly with their mix of indie-rock covers. Having improved vastly since I last saw them around a year ago, they played covers which were not just the usual songs every covers band plays and they played them with an enthusiastic style and presence that got the crowd moving.

Unfortunately they had only just got into the swing of things when their set was over leaving a bit of an unsatisfied atmosphere to things.

This was soon forgotten though as Teaspoonriverneck took to the stage for the first time since Guernsey Live. Roaring through a set mixing up classic material from their self titled debut with tracks from current mini-album ‘Craft of Lisia’ and new songs such as the soon to be sing-a-long favourite ‘Fuzzbomb’ tonight the band sounded at their best and were undeniably “heavy as a really heavy thing” (to quote Strapping Young Lad).

The crowd reacted to the upped heaviness kicking off the first real mosh of the night and with a line headbanging away at the front of the stage.

By the time FireFly took to the stage the crowd had swelled to provide a good sense of atmosphere and occasion to the large venue, and they weren’t disappointed as the band delivered one of their most focussed and best performances to date.

Combining everything that has made them great over the past few years from the fun stage presence to the heartfelt and brilliantly delivered lyrics of their songs FireFly were on top form for their finale.

And when front man Jamie took a seat at a grand piano we were treated to a great little solo moment really showing another side to his performance.

Despite a few difficulties with the newer elements of the set this was one of the best shows FireFly have ever delivered and it seemed to bring everyone in attendance together with a real spirit of camaraderie.

While it is a shame to see bands with as much potential as FireFly disband, hopefully it’s individual members will be able to move on and create new and even more interesting music, but in the mean time, what a way to bow out!