LIVE REVIEW: Rockin' the Diamond with Ajenda and Lo Mejor

THE Diamond Rock Club has seen quite a few things in recent weeks, from a confirmed engagement through to a wedding reception on Saturday (9th August).

The wedding reception to the tunes of Ajenda and Lo Mejor was appropriate as the happy couple, Cathy and Graham first dated at an Ajenda gig...in the Diamond

Last night the newlyweds were serenaded with a bucket full of great tunes. Opening were relatively new act, Lo Mejor...even if the members have been around a while. Steve on vocals, Niall on guitar, and the two Andy's forming the rhythm section (Andy McKeown, bass, and Andy Logan on drums).

For those that aren't aware of the backstory the four piece contains members of Swanee River, Hungers Mother and Sub 60.

Steve - in between blasting out tunes new and old - urged all present to visit their Facebook profile...apologising for not having a website as yet. What they do have is an urgent sound, real soul in their performance and groove a plenty in a mix of classic r&b and hard rock.

In a tribute to the late Johnny Winters they played Winters' version of Jumping Jack Flash, with Niall showing how much he is capable of, as he did throughout the set. Steve's vocals have a rich, velvety resonance that he can step up to a throaty roar when required and the two Andy's were very tight in each and every song.

What is certain is that Lo Mejor have bucket loads of potential, and road testing material before recording is a sure fire way for them to hone their sound.

Ajenda have honed their sound yet further since the release of 'Unrecognisable'. However, last night a few technical issues threw them off their game for a while.

But that is not to criticise the performance - even the best band can be thrown off momentarily when gear goes awry.

What Ajenda have is a cohesive sound, with killer rock songs that should be dominating the FM and AM stations in USA. It's almost perfect for that driving experience along stretches of freeway.

From 'Unrecognisable' we were treated to the likes of 'Tattoo ', 'Dirty Rock 'n' Roll' and 'Hatred and Greed'. amongst a range of sounds.

While Jenny is undoubtedly the focus, with her stage presence and a soulful voice that could coax the hardest heart to melt, Ajenda have real musical muscle behind her.

Gav is a technical marvel with his six-string, coaxing a range of sounds from the axes he wields with deft precision.

Peter (drums) and Janny (bass) have an almost telepathic link as they anchor the sound. 

While Ajenda ply their craft in the general classic rock/AOR mode there is no doubt that they underpin it all with a real awareness of their forebears and how to add unique flourishes to the sound.

Glitches aside Jenny, Gav, Peter and Janny laid down a tremendous show in the Diamond. That so many had taken the time to travel on a night when other gigs/entertainment was going on is a tribute to the draw they can be (plus those there to toast Cathy and Graham's marriage too).

This was the last Diamond Rock Club show for a couple of weeks as  Derwin, Paul, Tony et al take a well deserved break from keeping one of the best 'secret' venues ticking over with rock.

And, what a send-off it was them!

Review by Jonny

Quare craic with The Quireboys and the Ajenda in Ahoghil

FOR those not familiar with the Northern Irish and north Antrim vernacular 'quare craic' can be loosely interpreted from the bastardised Ulster Scots and Gaelic as 'a good time' - and a good time was seemingly had by all at the Diamond Rock Club in Ahoghill as The Quireboys and Ajenda rocked acoustically.

Attitude is everything when it comes to rock 'n' roll, and with stacked amplifiers and bass amps removed stripped down acoustic sets means it is songs and attitude that carry a band through - both local heroes Ajenda and The Quireboys proved they have attitude to spare.

Ajenda are riding high on the crest of a wave with a successful 2013 now dawning into a promising 2014 as they told us when they were preparing for this gig. (Hear the interview here.)

The four-piece quickly hit rhythm with an impressive selection from their previously released eps and début album Unrecognisable.

While the instrumental Olympus Monz showcased the musical spine in the band, the songs proved their resilience when Jenny's voice was given full rein with Gav's flourishes flowing easily around the tracks.

Stand-out songs - which were already well-known to many of the crowd - were Tattoo, Heaven's Tears and the most recent release from Unrecognisable, Hatred and Greed.

The Ajenda sound adapted well to the acoustic setting, coming across as a delicate blend of laid-back and powerful.

And, when The Quireboys hit the stage it was an equally delicate blend: teetering on the edge of chaos and outstanding performance. Case in point is the focus of the band, Jonathan Gray - better known as Spike. Despite being clearly 'under the weather' this was a pure professional performance.

Routine banter was interspersed with local references to keyboardist Keith Weir's Tandragee, County Armagh roots...and potatoes.

But when the songs flowed this was aural honey. The Quireboys performed with the looseness of a band playing as if they were resident house act and the tightness only achieved by touring and the intricate interplay of professionals.

Guy and Keith managed to keep a boogie woogie 12-bar rock 'n' roll ethos resounding through what for many in the crowd were the mainstay rock themes of their younger years.

From earlier hits through to tracks from last year's Beautiful Curse (Mother Mary particularly noteworthy) The Quireboys have a back catalogue worthy of the international superstars they always deserved to be, and more recent songs that are as instantly memorable.

As Spike told us after the show Beautiful Curse is close to equalling, if not surpassing, sales of their first album, proving their relevance and the sustainability of rock.

Of course There She Goes Again, Hello, 27 Years, Whippin' Boy, 7 O'clock and I Don't Love You Anymore were among the most familiar and most well-received tracks.

But the strength of all aspects of the band was revealed by the poignant love song,  Beautiful Curse. Delivered with passion and with a chorus that resounded across the packed audience.

With a new album from The Quireboys with an expected release in June of this year he evidence is that the band will continue to deliver on that promise of chaos balanced with creative and musical excellence.