Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

As Dublin's premier pop punk outfit make their long awaited return to Derry for the first time in three years, it's just a pity there's only around sixty or so people here to see them. The circumstances are against them tonight though, it just so happens there is a rock for Japan fundraiser on around the corner featuring the crΓ―ΒΏΒ½me de la creme of the local music scene, which has seemingly pulled all of tonight's punters.

It's refreshing to see that the poor turnout doesn't deter the band as they launch into a fun filled set. The small crowd that have turned up return the favour as they follow on from lead singer May Kay's example, jumping, screaming and shouting every bit as loud as she does. Fight Like Apes are a band who on record can divide audiences, but live there is an undeniable jovial quality to the music that you can't help but be charmed by, the band blistering through tracks like 'Do You Karate?' and the wonderfully titled 'I'm Beginning to think you prefer Beverley Hills 90210 to me'

It would be easy to use this gig as an excuse to road test some new material and they threaten to do so until the idea is curtailed by a few sarcastic boos, instead sticking to the hits such as 'Something Global' and Μύ'Jenny Kelly', all of which are played with a ferocity and energy that most bands can only dream of having.

As you'd expect from a band who called their sophomore album The Body of Christ and the Legs of Tina Turner the banter from them and the crowd is good natured and induces participation. They invite a few fans up on stage to share in the energy as they rifle through a splendid cover of Salt N Pepa's 'Push It'. ΜύThey've even got props with them as they invite a member of the audience to bang a metal pole with them in time to the music. Hopefully Derry won't have to wait another three years, and hopefully we'll have a much larger turn out for them too.

Paul Mullin