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Les Savy Fav - London, Dublin Castle Tuesday 2nd October 2001 Sometimes you forget how good some bands are. It was only at the beginning of the year when Les Savy Fav last blew us away, but that seems an age ago. Unfortunately this "secret" gig was a little too secret - there could have been more people here to support the visibly jet-lagged group on stage, and of course they could have played a venue with a better sound system. But such is life, and we all had a great time all the same. Centre stage is Tim Harrington - a tall man who looks like a cross between Grizzly Adams and Captain Birds Eye. The black beard and hair have been replaced with blond (natural?) beard and hair. Starting the set dressed in a black cape and pirate's hat, his sharply punctuated vocals rising above the music, and the total visual assault are only the beginning. After stepping on two beer crates and walking on them through the crowd, he runs into the adjoining bar (still singing), nicks someone's pint and runs back onto the stage. "I hope he doesn't come in looking for his drink" he adds, before the poor punter from the pub appears at the door looking for his lost beverage. Tim embarrassingly gives the man his pint back before launching into the next song. Tim spends as much time in the crowd as on stage, but, for this gig at least, his climbing abilities are not realised, possibly due to tiredness. He's the focal point of the band, no question, but this couldn't happen without the other members. Seth Jabour plays the guitar like a man possessed, with an army of effects and pedals to give the impression there are two guitarists playing, (which there used to be of course), and is totally engrossed in his playing to the extent that Tim tries to communicate with him a couple of times during the set to no affect. Syd Butler plays a very mean bass line undercurrent, with legs spread wide and head nodding, and again seems to be in his own world apart from when Tim thrusts a mic under his nose to shout on parts of a song. Most of the time as the stage is small (as are the audience) he plays from the front of the punters on the floor, leaving more room for Tim to create mayhem. Lastly Harrison Haynes, one of the best drummers I've seen, holds everything together with his hard drumming and his head tilted back and up. Together they manage a visual and aural assault, that's tricky to balance, but a trick this band have mastered. Best gig for ages. Catch them around the country if you can - you won't be disappointed! Love em? You bet! skippy [photos]

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