The Saw Doctors
Fly by Night Musician's Club
8th March 2010

Gig review by Crystal Jane


It was the night for the Irish, each and every one of them, to come out and play. After a seventeen  year hiatus Ireland's, The Saw Doctors, were taking to the stage once again - and for the very first time in Oz.  Kicking off their national tour at the wickedly cool/uncool Fly By Night (whose bar staff have never had to work so hard) tickets were completely sold and it was a jittery, excited audience that awaited the Docs to make their night.

Unfortunately, before they got to the good stuff they had to sit through support act Simon Kelly and the Lonely Wives.  Maybe that's a little unfair.  The local Freo three piece were harmless enough, in fact, they did pack a toe-tapping, butt-wiggling song or two into their set.  But, considering who was soon to follow, they just were not particularly interesting.

Finally, to the absolute delight of the anticipating crowd, a friendly smiling face announced "we're back!"  And so the Saw Doctors's were.  Opening up with Exhilarating Sadness, Davy Carton and Leo Moran  had every Irishman (read: everyone) singing madly along.  There could be no better way than to open up an Australian national tour, than with a song that makes you want to drink the day away in the sun.

Following the Irish sing-along was an incredibe Irish dance-along:  "For the first time ever in the southern hemisphere....the Tommy K dance".  There is no finer live gig moment than when a full capacity venue participates in spontaneous yet simultaneous, choreographed dance.  Wonderful.  It set the tone and pace for the rest of the night, a dance fest led by Carton, resplendent in a red skivvy, and Moran, pretty in pink.  If you are not already privy to the dance that accompanies Tommy K the DJ....youtube it, learn it and love it right this second!

Carton and Moran weren't the only two working the stage.  Very young and very good drummer Eimhin Cradock was working hard behind the kit, and it is great to see a drummer really belting out the words too.  He absolutely smashed out Green and Red: a song of epic proportions to say the least.

It was clear from the get-go that The Saw Doctors had been instantly and enthusiastically welcomed back.  And it seemed that they were as glad to be back as we were to have them.  The Irish supergroup have been in the "biz" for over twenty years, but there is still a surprising youth about them and their live music.  She Loves Me and Never Mind the Strangers, amongst others, are testament to the fact.

Another interesting facet to the Doc's is that it is definitely some breed of surfer riffing.  You can feel and hear the summer 'twang' permeating everything that they play, which makes it all that much more enjoyable and accessible.  Clare Island was absolutely stinking of summer, as well as crowd
favourite N17.

While we're on the subject, the audience's a capella rendition of the N17 chorus was enough to send shivers.  Not for being particularly well-pitched, but simply for the show of complete solidarity and brotherhood that it displayed.  The Irish appreciate music very differently to the Aussies; they are much more involved.  That does however, lend itself to be a crowd that demands only the classics and their favourites.  Train championed a slick riff that definitely sticks, but was a little lost on the giddy punters.

The only thing lacking from what was a wickedly fun set were the tender moments and softer songs.  Sure, they dropped the tempo with Only One Girl and Indian Summer, but all of The Saw Doctors songs are played at the same level of intensity.  They don't deliver the variety and diversity that you would expect from some more fresh-faced up and comers.;  However, when you are as established
as these guys - it can be forgiven.

What The Saw Doctors are selling is a really great time.  Bless Me Father is more tongue in cheek fun than a Weird Al Yankovic release, and definitely of a higher quality.  Red Cortina brought on a complete switcheroo; Cradock on acoustic Guitar, Kevin Duffy going from keys to bass, Anthony Thistlethwaite from bass to electric guitar, Carton on Drums and Moran taking to the keys.  Thistlethwaite, who exudes bass- player cool, has never looked more daggy than when indulging in
a little choreographed dancing on Hay Wrap.  For anyone else this would be awful; but with these five, it's charming.

To close out an incredible night, The Saw Doctors final encore was the ultimate song of comradery Hope You Meet Again.  The punters had linked arms and were swaying and singing along (as they had all night), when the song turned to a rendition of Hey Jude: it was magic.

Trading variety and changes in pace for a straight up good time is hardly a move that can be questioned.  If you have the chance to see The Saw Doctors before they leave our fair country, be prepared to sing until your voice is gone. Be prepared to dance a little jig with an Irishman.  And, above all, remember kids: on't go up on the trailer when your're bringing home the hay!!