The Fire Station in Sunderland has been running a season of outdoor performances called ‘Summer Parties’ throughout August. Think of it as a festival across a month instead of lots of performers in one day.
To get people partying, you need music with passion, energy, and encouragement to leap about like a distressed salmon. Cometh the hour, cometh the man… well, six men in the shape of Ferocious Dog to meet these requirements with their balls-out approach to folk punk music.
With barely a cloud in the sky, the band took to the stage and immediately ripped into their ever-growing back catalogue of spirited and engaging songs. The required energetic bouncing didn’t take long to ignite as soon as the sonic assault of ‘Iron Mike Malloy’ started blasting around the outdoor space known as the Parade Ground. Arms flailed, pogoing broke out, and the odd spot of light ale was spilt.
‘Pentrich Rising’ is a tour de force when performed live, which sent the energy around the venue. ‘Freeborn John’ went down well with the crowd, possibly due to John Lilburne (Freeborn John) being born in Sunderland in the early 1600s. They like to celebrate their own in these parts. ‘Broken Soldier’ is a poignant moment to pause and reflect on the challenges faced by those who serve in our armed forces and the impact on their mental health. Guitarist Kyle Peters helped to get the dynamism flowing again when he stood front and centre to deliver ‘Darker Side Of Town’ before the crowd lifted their voices, bellowing the chorus of ‘Sus Laws’ for all in the vicinity to hear.
The tempo was sustained at an express pace as the band rattled through the remainder of the set, including the sing-along/flail-a-long ‘Paddy On the Railway’. The night ended on one of the finest songs ever written by Ferocious Dog, or indeed in the world of folk music. It was seven minutes of pure emotion wrapped up in music, and you cannot help but feel an emotional kick to the gut as the fabulous violin of Jamie Burney sears into your heart.
The crowd left full of smiles (and a few with wobbly legs) to seek out the merch stand and have a final drink or two before bedtime. A big shout out to the two support acts – Dead Wet Things are a Sunderland punk band which reminds me a little of IDLES, and the excellent Gimp Fist, a punk trio from Bishop Auckland, who set the tone up for the evening just nicely. Remember, kids, ALWAYS support the support.
Set List
Poor Angry and Young
Black Gold
Iron Mike Malloy
Spin
Pentrich Rising
Too Late
Freeborn John
Broken Soldier
Pocket of Madness
Darker Side Of Town
Gallows Justice
Sus Laws
Parting Glass
Paddy On the Railway
Johnny I Hardly Knew Ya
Hell Hounds
Mairi’s Wedding, Pt. 2
Slow Motion Suicide
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