The Lee Harveys, Reaction and Fire Exit – Glasgow Audio

Party Cities

Glasgow and Dublin are famed for their music heritage and the love of a good party, the two came together in fine form last night in an evening not to be forgotten.

The date – 23^rd February 2019, the venue – Audio in Glasgow, the bands – Reaction, Fire Exit and The Lee Harveys. Just an average Saturday gig night in the city with my best mate? Not a chance.

Something was afoot, the planets somehow aligning bringing everything together in harmonious union. This wasn’t just your average gig, this was a celebration. The atmosphere was euphoric throughout, one which started with eager anticipation and ended with enraptured and slightly merry exhilaration. I know for a fact I’m not the only one who felt this way, the venue was packed with like-minded individuals.

The Lee Harveys are a band I’ve wanted to see live for some time. In fact, since recommended by the sorely missed Garry Borland of Heavy Drapes who recommended them so highly resulting in my going and purchasing their entire back catalogue, revisiting it regularly. The draw of the band, and the other high-quality acts on the bill, Fire Exit and Reaction, was such that there was a substantial travelling contingent from Dublin in attendance, suitably lubricated and bringing the party atmosphere from the off.

Friends Make Gigs

Music aside, the opportunity to see so many familiar friendly faces in one place was a highlight. Catching up with some well-kent faces, reacquainting with some not seen for an age and meeting others for the first time. They say People Make Glasgow, well with this bunch around, People make Gigs too.

So what of the bands?

Several first times tonight, in numerous ways – Reaction playing some of the tracks from their new album live for the first time was pretty special and ranks among the countless highlights of the evening.

Reaction

Thrill Me Honey screamed Carson during their tribute to Postcard records, Dumb Dumb Dumb, from last year’s untouchable Keep it Weird, Keep it Wired album. I don’t know if we thrilled him, but Reaction certainly thrilled all of us. Their vigorous set drew from both albums with an abundance of highlights. The previously mentioned Dumb Dumb Dumb being one, Days of Eldorado, the magnificent Gravity and finally saw one of my personal favourites (dropped from the set last time I saw them due to technical issues) Saints of Tamla Hill. Those alongside Accelerator favourites like the anthemic Hey Patty Hearst, Fireball XL5 and the high-octane romp of Dead Boy Racer.

The highlight of their set was a vivacious trumpet infused rendition of the lead off track from the Keep it Weird album, Welcome to Rust Town. The band were joined by Marc Tuffley on guitar and the inimitable Jen Hart on trumpet and vocals. The extra texture this brought to the band’s sound was phenomenal. Reaction continue to go from strength to strength, getting better live every time I see them. Plenty of great gigs on the horizon for them including the vinyl launch of the album in June at new venue The Ice Box. Be there.

Fire Exit

Reaction exited and Fire Exit entered. Another first, the first time I’ve seen the band with new guitarist Ricky Stiv of Heavy Drapes and Baby’s Got a Gun fame. The latest line up, with the unique Gerry on vocals, Richie on guitar, the effervescent Jess E Ska (also of Esperanza) on bass and the powerhouse that is Arab on the drums, is to coin a cliché, on fire, but please don’t head for the exits. Fire Exit are a classic party band, songs like Going Crazy and We’re Gonna Drink have a verve and energy which raises the spirits, gets the heart pumping and spreads a smile across your face.

Burn the Churches took on a particular significance for me tonight, but after some emotionally charged Facebook rants in the last week, I’m swerving that subject for now. The band also treated us to one of their party pieces, their cover version of The Boys classic First Time had the crowd singing along in full voice. Plenty of opportunities to catch Fire Exit live this year for anyone who hasn’t experienced the band in full effect, check out their Facebook page.

The Lee Harveys

Final treat in store for tonight’s gathering and another first for me, Dublin’s The Lee Harveys. My anticipation for seeing the band was palpable having been listening to the new Resistance is not Terrorism EP on repeat in the car for the last few days. The Lee Harveys played their incendiary set like their lives depended on it. A blistering run through of songs old and new creating their own Sonic Boom to the joy of the crowd.

The songs on the EP took on an additional level of vivacity in the live arena, provocative versions of tracks such as Bloody War and two of my personal favourites from the EP New York and Neon Angel were on fire. A lot of fire related imagery in use here, just to add to that, Babylon was burning the previous night in Glasgow when The Ruts DC played in the city, tonight Bitzy asked us what we’re going to do when they tear Babylon down playing their classic track from Still Angry.

With tracks like Gun City in the set, The Lee Harveys confirmed to me the recommendation from Garry Borland was sound. The association with the Drapes frontman continued as Richie took the stage with the band for their emotional tribute, a cover of Heavy Drapes Should I Suck or Should I Blow?

The party pieces continued when the band played another cover version of…. guess what? The Boys classic First Time (should that be Second Time?) which had all of us punters singing along once again. Between songs I was having a wee tete a tete with Reaction front man Ian Carson and missed Bitzy giving the Ginger Quiff a shout out from the stage. Sorry mate, but thanks a million, my review of their EP/album is here. First time I’ve seen The Lee Harveys but definitely not the last. I’ve not been to Dublin for a few years…

Born Too Loose

The evening ended with a suitably chaotic but spirited rabble-rousing version of The Heartbreakers Born Too Loose (not a typo) with Reaction’s Joe Whyte joining in and taking on lead vocals having been unable to get his hands on a guitar, several of the Dublin contingent also took to the stage providing backing vocals. A suitable party ending to a magnificent party night. Glasgow needs nights like this, they raise the spirits and leave you with the feeling that all is well with the world. Music and friendship are the best medicine.

Spread the word about these bands far and wide, these are the types of nights that feed the soul