Scotland’s Billy Liar released one of my favourite albums of the year (so far) in June. Titled Some Legacy, it’s both his debut album and first full band release (read my review here). To celebrate the occasion, Till The Wheels hosted a release show last week in our home from home venue, South London’s the New Cross Inn. The event not only featured some great support acts but also offered a rare experience of full band Billy Liar. I was rather excited to hear songs from the album live and, let’s just say, the gig certainly didn’t disappoint!
Opening the show were Modern Shakes, fresh off the back of their debut EP Murmur being released last month. The London based band have had a line-up change since we first saw them last summer, at one of their first ever shows, as their original bassist left the band earlier in the year. The new members did a fine job however and going from a trio to a four-piece certainly hasn’t hampered their excellent gruff pop punk sound. It was great to hear songs we recognised from the EP live, particularly Ivana which is my favourite, as well as a couple of other songs – perhaps off a future release. If you’re not familiar with the band or the EP, I recently described them to someone as being like a gruffer Alkaline Trio. Do check out Murmur though and you can catch Modern Shakes back at the New Cross Inn again soon, supporting The Dopamines on 26th July.
Next up was Rich Ragany, an old pal of Billy’s. Armed with just an acoustic guitar (and microphone) for this occasion, Rich Ragany can usually be found fronting Rich Ragany And The Digressions although you may also recognise him as a former member of Role Models. Unfortunately I wasn’t familiar with him, or his bands, but knowing that he came recommended by Billy Liar certainly peaked my interest. For half an hour we were treated to a selection of acoustic Americana meets rock ’n’ roll songs. Alongside the tunes were some amusing and interesting anecdotes and stories – Rich said himself that he likes to talk. There was a very relaxed atmosphere in the room and it felt like everyone was pals which is always a lovely feeling. Of course, the great songs helped as well!
No Billy Liar album launch show would be complete without the man who produced, as well as featuring on, Some Legacy – Joe McMahon. Of course, he would be appearing as part of the Billy Liar full band later in the evening but first it was time for his own solo set. If – because you’ve been hiding under a rock for the past 15 or so years – you somehow don’t know Joe McMahon, he is probably most famous for his part in Boston-based punk rock band Smoke Or Fire but he also has an excellent collection of solo songs. I’m a big fan of Joe’s 2016 solo album Another Life so it was wonderful to hear songs such as Canadian Graffiti, It All Went Black and the album’s title track live, as well as stripped back versions of Smoke Or Fire songs Irish Handcuffs and, the as ever politically apt, Monsters Among Us. I saw Joe McMahon with his band The Dockineers earlier this year at Manchester Punk Festival – which was great – but seeing the songs played acoustically added so much more emotional intensity to the performance. I loved every second of Joe McMahon’s set.
After Joe McMahon’s set, it wasn’t long until he was back on stage, swapping his acoustic guitar for a bass guitar. Alongside Joe McMahon, the Billy Liar full band consisted of Robin Guy on drums – who also drums on the album (as well as with Sham 69!) – and Kevin Jones, of Northern Irish trio Empty Lungs, on guitar. Plus Billy, of course, picking up an electric guitar instead of his typical acoustic. It had been a lovely evening of music so far but I was certain that Billy Liar would easily put the cherry on the cake – and before too long Billy and co were doing just that. Tearing through some of the shorter, faster and ultimately louder songs from Some Legacy, such as Cold Turkey, Neither Are You, lead single The Righteous & The Rats and oldy but goody Change, full band Billy Liar was everything I had hoped for. The pure punk rock energy was clearly infectious as three rather enthusiastic (and most likely quite drunk) folk at the front even attempted to start their own mosh pit, something I guess you are less likely to get at an acoustic Billy Liar show. They did get tired after a few songs though.
Part way through the set, the rest of the band left the stage while Billy swapped his electric guitar for his trusty acoustic. Starting off by playing emotional tune Independent People, which is about the state of Britain today, Billy had everyone in the room hooked on his every word. He was then joined by Rich Ragany and another pal, Dave Kerr, of the band Sorry & The Sinatras. The trio proceeded to cover one of Sorry & The Sinatras’ songs – I didn’t know the song but it was a lot of fun to watch these three great friends together on stage despite this. This wasn’t the only guest appearance of the set however as next to join Billy was Stina Tweeddale who adds backing vocals and harmonies to a couple of the tracks on Some Legacy. I thought this was a beautiful touch on the album so it was particularly lovely to hear Stina’s vocals live as well. Their rendition of Less Vegas, which is a piano-led ballad on the album, was heartbreakingly good and when the rest of the band returned for I Still Struggle that was all kinds of wonderful too.
It was at this point that Colin and I should really have left to go and catch our train home but I couldn’t bear to leave, especially not before hearing my favourite song from the album. We hung on as they only had two songs left – the last of which was the song I’d been waiting for. Pills is a rousing and catchy singalong tune with some great harmonies and it was the perfect end to an awesome Billy Liar show.
Given that members of the band live in Scotland, England, Northern Ireland and Germany, it’s unlikely that Billy Liar will be able to play too many full band shows – at least, not in this incarnation. So, with that in mind, it was really special to be at this show. And anyway, full band or not, I bloody love Billy Liar.
This gig review was written by Emma Prew.
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