metro Arts & Entertainment Funzo In Town Tonight This six-piece Dublin-based outfit reference The Beatles and Stevie Wonder as influences. Following a successful slot at Electric Picnic, they play a free gig tonight Tonight, Whelans, 25 Wexford Street D2, 8pm, free. Tel: 1890 200 078. www.myspace.com/listentofunzo Nick Kelly The one-time Fat Lady Sings frontman is joined by Briana Corrigan (ex-Beautiful South singer who provided vocals on A Little Time) as part of Kellys Gestation residency at Whelans Tonight, Whelans (upstairs), 25 Wexford Street D2, 8pm, 17. Tel: 1890 200 078. www.myspace. com/nickkellymusic Kate Walsh The delicately-crafted folk pop on Kate Walshs third album, Light And Dark, has seen her earn comparisons with Joni Mitchell and Kate Bush Tonight, The Sugar Club, 8 Lower Leeson Street D2, 8pm, 15. Tel: (01) 678 7188. www.myspace.com/katewalsh lifeArts & Entertainment Music Interview Biffy Clyro Adding Ayr to their ts soundcheck time for Scottish rockers Biffy Clyro, as band members Simon Neil (vocals/lyrics) and twins Jamie and Ben Johnston (bass and drums) are setting up for their Q Awards headline show. In a few hours, Londons Forum venue will be heaving with sweaty fans, but for now bobble-hatted technicians are hoisting a massive lighting rig above the freezing stage. Then Biffys latest single The Captain, from their fifth album Only Revolutions, surges through the speaker stack, and the blast of hearty melody nearly knocks everyone off their feet. Only Revolutions seems aptly titled, as Biffy Clyro make that epic impact seem effortless. By the time they signed a major label deal (for their brooding fourth album, 2007s Puzzle), theyd already forged a devoted live following. Collectively, they go back even further; Neil met the Johnston brothers aged seven, and they were playing music together by their mid-teens, half their lifetimes ago. All of which gets Jamie Johnston reminiscing as they prepare backstage for pre-show photos. It was live acts that cemented our love for music, he explains. Coming from small towns in Scotland, we were always impressed by American rock bands. Nirvana made us realise we could do this; they looked like we did and their songs were brilliant but simple. Weve never been ashamed of having strong melodies I think a lot of rock bands are scared of that. Biffy Clyro have honed a knack for experimental riffs and singalong hooks, whether on classics like 2007s Whos Got A Match? or new album anthems like That Golden Rule and Mountains (already an established live favourite). I We only pursue ideas that give us the tingles like a loud killer tune! says Neil, who is fresh from the hairdresser but still looking appealingly rocknroll. We also like struggling with things. You dont just want music handed to you on a plate sometimes its better to pick things up after hearing a song a few times. Is the mainstream basically scared of a bit of noise? Maybe! grins Neil. But no instrument is more emotive than a guitar you could create an apocalyptic barrage, or something that sounds like tiny pieces of falling glass. Biffy Clyro usually go for both on the same record. Only Revolutions also features a stirring guest guitar slot from Josh Homme (Queens Of The Stone Age). We learned a lot from QOTSA, explains Johnston. Theyre not a commercially-minded band, yet they reach so many people. When Josh found out we were working in LA, he said, I live there, gimme a call... I dont think he actually expected us to! He put his kids to bed, came over at about 11pm and just nailed a great space rock solo. D espite recording in California, Biffy Clyro remain distinctly Scottish; its an earthy contrast from the American-style gloss of some of their British contemporaries. I think our musics inherently Scottish; its very honest, says Johnston. Once our confidence grew, we started to sing more in our natural brogue. You go from wanting to emulate your heroes to doing your own thing. Theyve always held band practice on a different west coast an Ayrshire farm (I think you can hear cows mooing on one of our B-sides, says Johnston). Weve never let anyone else join the band theres no room for any more Weve never been ashamed of having strong melodies I think a lot of rock bands are scared of that The Scottish three-piece tell Arwa Haider about growing up together and keeping their sound authentic FIVE QUESTIONS FOR... The Wailers frontman Elan Atias 12 metrolife Wednesday, October 28, 2009 Youll be performing the seminal album Exodus in its entirety tonight in celebration of its 30th anniversary. Which is your favourite track on the record? There are so many. Every day it changes. Right now Id say Natural Mystic. Or Jammin. Theyre all amazing. It all depends on what Im going through in my life. How did you end up in the band? About 12 years ago I met one of the Wailers guitarists at a club and I was in awe. Junior Marvin, who had taken over from Bob [Marley], was leaving the band. Family Man heard my stuff and said, Yo, youve gotta come on tour with us. And that was it. Did you have any qualms about stepping into the shoes of a legend? Id never been on stage before, never had a soundcheck, never had a rehearsal. I was just going from the memory of the records as a kid, and the only thing I wanted to make sure I got right was the lyrics all the die- hard fans know them word for word, its like a religion for some people. Is it true that Carlos Santana thought you were lip-synching to a Bob Marley record when he first heard you sing? Yeah. The first time he heard us was when we were opening for him at the Gorge in Seattle in 1997 it looks like a mini Grand Canyon, the stage is set right on the lip of the canyon, its one of the most beautiful venues in the world, like a natural amphitheatre. Carlos was coming in on the bus and listening to the music, and he thought it was a Bob Marley CD. Then he got off the bus and thought, Oh wow, theyre a live band, walked up the stage, saw me and says, This guy must be lip-synching. But Carlos hes very spiritual he goes, But then I closed my eyes and I felt you, and I havent felt that since Bob was around. Any time you want, just come on stage and play with me. And now The Wailers are working on a new album? Were working on a record of new material. Weve invited contemporary artists from different genres to collaborate with us and write new lyrics. Like me, they are all musicians who were inspired by The Wailers growing up. Lucy White Tonight, Olympia Theatre, 72 Dame Street D2, 7.30pm, 29.50. Tel: 0818 719 300. www.thewailers.com Book Now Julian Casablancas New York scenesters The Strokes redefined the face of rock in 2001 with their debut Is This It, a stomping, guitar-heavy collection of punk gems which spawned countless imitators from the Libertines to Kings Of Leon. Subsequent albums, however, didnt quite cut the mustard but there have been interesting side and solo projects from Albert Hammond Jr and Little Joy. This time round its the turn of Julian Casablancas whose debut LP, Phrazes For The Young, a synthy, instrumentation-heavy outing is already picking up rave reviews. Check it out when he plays The Academy this December. Tickets on sale Friday Dec 14, The Academy, 57 Middle Abbey Street D1, 7.30pm, 25.50. Tel: 0818 719 300. www.julian casablancas.com The hoTTesT TickeTs in Town We have two pairs of tickets to see Julian Casablancas Dec 14 at The Academy, 7.30pm For a chance to win, e-mail your answer to the question below to life@metroireland.ie by noon today with Hot Tickets in the subject line. With your answer please include your name, address and a number where you can be contacted between 1pm and 3pm. Strictly one entry per person; entrants must be age 18+. Q. Which of the following is a Strokes album? A House On Fire B Room On Fire The winner of yesterdays tickets to see Jamie Cullum is: Francesco Garofalo index.html2.html3.html4.html5.html6.html7.html8.html9.html10.html11.html12.html13.html14.html15.html16.html17.html18.html19.html20.html21.html22.html23.html