There’s nothing like good rock and roll. Good rock and roll doesn’t need to remind you how clever it is, it doesn’t need bizarre electronic noises and it doesn’t need seven minute introductions. I’ll happily accept that all these things have their place and for everything I rail against I can easily name a band that I love that is guilty on multiple counts, but sometimes you want to stick to the mantra ‘if you can’t do it in three minutes, why bother?’
That’s where DC Tempest come in. The Dublin band has been playing intelligent, mature rock for a couple of years now and are as well known now for their hard work and shameless self promotion (the boys are experts at both) as they are for their insanely catchy guitar driven pop-rock (think ‘Darkness On The Edge of Town’ era Springsteen meets Radiohead circa ‘Pablohoney’ and serve with a side of Snow Patrol’) and it’s looking like it’s going to pay off. There’s a big push on to get new single ‘Coming Back Around’ into the charts and there’s still ample buzz on the heels of a showcase at the (Irish Music Magazine) Hot Press Music Show, and from a support slot for Bon Jovi earlier this summer. The band have shown a willingness to put themselves forward for any show and it’s this spotlight craving love of performance that will see them go far.
Describing themselves as ‘The Most Stop-Start Band In Dublin’, the band have built their fanbase through social networks, word of mouth and an awe-inspiring work ethic that keeps them in local pubs and clubs as well as on the radio regularly. They’ve used their small share of the limelight to bring attention to ‘To Write Love On Her Arms’, the incredible depression self-injury and suicide charity; as well as local groups like Sophie’s Choice and Fighting Blindness.
The songs are mature, intelligent, well crafted slices of rock without being showy or pretentious. It’s tough not to sing along even if you haven’t memorised the lyrics yet, and even harder not to drum your fingers in time on any available surface.
Songs from their August 2008 EP are streaming on their website, and most of the band’s music is available through iTunes, downloadmusic.ie or amiestreet.com, depending on where in the world you are. Current single ‘Coming Back Around’ is available to stream via the red button at the top of this post.
Oh, and here's the video:
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'if you can’t do it in three minutes, why bother?’ hahaha that gave me a good chuckle :)
Not bad. Best of luck to them, and cheers to you for the introduction!