By John Lyons

IT’S that time of the year again – the new Seth Rogen comedy has come to town. This time he stars in a film about a bunch of young, irresponsible lads who do some raunchy things and learn a couple of hard truths about life.

They may even inadvertently grow up a little bit and have a ‘bro-mance’ or two along the way.

Granted, this does sound like a fitting description for the majority of Seth Rogen’s films, but having that said, I will admit that I am a fan of his.

Seth gets a lot of criticism for playing the same character over and over again in his films, with many critics claiming that he’s not even playing a character, he’s just playing himself.

However, I would argue that Woody Allen has been playing the same character for decades. And last time I checked – nobody has raised issue with Woody Allen’s lack of acting versatility, because the films are generally good.

So that begs the question… is ‘Bad Neighbours’ good?

At the start of the film, we’re introduced to Mac (Rogen) and Kelly (Rose Byrne), a couple living in suburbia with their newborn baby. They’re adapting to married life and parenthood inch by inch, but their new responsibilities and lack of free time is making them wonder whether or not they’re becoming old and boring.

When the house next door is sold, a moving van shows up and dozens of young college students move in. A fraternity.

Mac and Kelly try to befriend the students, and it works for a while, but soon they become bitter rivals and the neighbours quickly wage war on one another.
Let me just briefly interject here and mention that five minutes into the film – the projector froze – and the film restarted from the beginning. What was interesting about this was that all the jokes in the opening five minutes that got a laugh the first time around, were met with silence the second time.

This was a very bad sign, because I’d seen all the trailers for the film, and had seen many, many jokes from the film. Would those same jokes be met with silence from me when they come along?

Unfortunately, the answer was almost always yes.
In fact, most of the laugh-out-loud moments in the film are in the trailers and advertisements for it.

So essentially, I’d seen all the funniest moments from the film before I actually went to cinema to see it – something you don’t want with a comedy. Throughout the course of the film I had a few odd laughs from a very small number of moments that didn’t appear in the trailers.

What the rest of the film had to offer was the dramatic scenes that took place every so often whenever the comedy grinded to a halt. Namely, Mac and Kelly’s insecurities about getting old and facing parenthood – and also exploring the strained relationship between the two heads of the fraternity, Teddy (Zac Efron) and Pete (Dave Franco), who are struggling to come to terms with growing up, a subplot which is just a watered down version of the plot of SuperBad.

The biggest fault that ‘Bad Neighbours’ has is that it doesn’t live up to the fun premise of “What if a married couple went to war with Animal House?” This is because the bulk of the film tries to humanize all its characters by having scenes where we’re supposed to sympathize with Teddy and Pete based on their coming-of-age troubles.

However, the film has us then root for Mac and Kelly whenever the two sides start feuding again… so what was the point?
There’s plenty of great comedic moments in Bad Neighbours, but so many of them are squashed into the trailers that there’s little more to find in the film itself. What we’re left with is a couple of laughs, party scenes, and moments of melodrama that don’t add much to the film, often because they’re contradictory, unnecessary or both.

There’s talented people behind the movie, but no amount of good talent can salvage poorly written material. If you know nothing about this film, you might enjoy yourself. But then again, you could just watch the trailers on youtube and save yourself the time and money.

Even though the film has some funny moments, it has no heart beneath it. Which is a shame, because it wastes a large portion of the film trying and failing to find those moments that will pull on our heart-strings.

If you want a comedy from these filmmakers that has something more beneath the surface, you can always find: ’50/50′, ‘Forgetting Sarah Marshall’, ‘SuperBad’ and ‘Knocked Up’.

5/10

• ‘Bad Neighbours’ is currently playing at the Tralee Omniplex

ARTIST: Pixies

ALBUM: Indie Cindy

By Zach Buggy

THE comeback of Pixies has received quite a mixed response to say the least.

It was over ten years ago that Black Francis and co. began touring again, and for all the naysayers and negative nellys that called it a ‘cash-grab’, the fact that the band were willing to tour extensively for close to a decade, gives me the impression that the members actually enjoyed performing cuts from their classic discography together.

Last year saw the departure of the band’s original bassist Kim Deal. This caused heartache amongst fans the world over.

Gradually, the purists came forward, giving their two cents as to why the band should pack it in.

Yes, Deal’s bass playing style and signature voice were essentials to the group’s core sound, but at the end of the day, Pixies is the twisted dream of one Black Francis, and accompanied by Joey Santiago’s dirty guitar tone, and David Lovering’s fluid drumming, the trio are getting by just fine.

Indie Cindy is Pixies’ first new album in 23 years, serving as follow up to 1991’s Trompe Le Monde, but it isn’t necessarily an ‘album’ so to speak.

Indie Cindy consists of the three EPs the band have put out since last September – EP-1, EP-2 and EP-3. These three releases mark the first of any new material from the group since 1991.

For the more old school fans out of the loop since the early 90’s, this might not exactly be the comeback album you were expecting, but there’s something here for everyone.

Opening track ‘What Goes Boom’ stinks to high heaven of early Pixies with Black Francis’ seasoned vocals still sounding as quirky and menacing as ever.

From being planted in familiar territory, we’re then instantly hit with the curveball that is ‘Greens & Blues’, a sweet acoustically driven number telling of Francis’ alien nature – “I said I’m human but you know I lie, I’m only visiting this shore.”

Up next comes one of my personal favourites and the albums’s title track ‘Indie Cindy’.

It’s the Pixies we’ve come to know and love, with loud-quiet dynamics accompanied by Francis’ bizarre rambling, but scratch beneath the surface, and it’s simply another song of unrequited love and inferiority – “Indie Cindy, Be in love with me, I beg for you to carry me.”

From there we’re greeted with ‘Bagboy’, the first piece of new material the band offered up almost a year ago. Although there’s no Deal, there are some excellent female backing vocals on this track, making it the closest to any ‘early’ early Pixies material.

From here on the record takes its trip through some serious ups and mild downs. The curious ‘Magdalena’ leads neatly into the atmospheric ‘Silver Snail’, although the two are easily the most forgettable tracks on the record.

Next is the ill-advised ‘Blue Eyed Hexe’, a grungy, Doolittle-era sounding Punk track that comes off a tad try-hard, and a bit embarrassing to be honest.

One of the main things to be said for Indie Cindy is that it’s easily the band’s lightest effort to date, which makes ‘Blue Eyed Hexe’ seem so out of place, like the band are still trying to remind us that they’ve got balls.

Some have already come out and full on panned the record for not adhering to the group’s tried and tested, frantic, loud-quiet, Alterna-Grunge style.

It’s fair that after 23 years fans would expect an album of classic sounding material, but at the same time, why would Black Francis, Joey Santiago, David Lovering and long-time producer Gil Norton want, after over two decades, to release something totally rehashed and uninspired?

The almost Surf-Rock Weezer vibe of ‘Ring The Bell’ is another incredibly refreshing taste to add to the Pixies palette.

As I mentioned earlier, Black Francis’ vocals are a lot more seasoned (23 years will do that, alright), but this makes the entire record more intriguing on a second and third listen.

Indie Cindy opens so strongly before almost doubting itself midway through. The album spends two or three tracks trying to decide what it should it do before ‘Another Toe In The Ocean’ gets things back on track in a big way.

This is another one of the standouts for me, you’ll be humming the chorus to yourself after one listen, I assure you.

‘Andro Queen’ and ‘Snakes’ are again two more relaxed and easy-paced, melodic rock tunes.

Closing track ‘Jaime Bravo’ is a summery song of farewell, and can’t help but leave you with your head bopping and a smile creeping across your face.

And, that’s Indie Cindy, folks. Was it worth the wait is a question that only each personal fan will be able to answer.

Is it a good album, not a doubt. It has some excellent tracks, some reminiscent of classic Pixies, while others take the band in new, and interesting directions.

All in all, there’s something here for every Pixies fan, it’s up to you, the listener, how much you either want to appreciate the new material on offer or grumble over how it’s not the exact same as everything else they’ve released.

I know which I’m going with.

7/10

• Pixies play Marlay Park in Dublin with Arcade Fire on Sunday, June 29, and their own headline show the following night at the Marquee in Cork. Tickets are on sale now via ticketmaster.

A VIDEO of three men supping pints and cracking jokes at the reopening of the ‘highest pub in Ireland’ in Coom on the Kerry Cork border has gone viral.

The pub was destroyed in a fire two years ago which left locals in the area without a place to meet up regularly with friends and quench their thirst.

A clip of the farmers will be played on the BBC’s comedy panel show ‘Have I Got News For You” tonight. The video has notched up 50,000 views in recent days.

The comments section is worth checking out as well to read some bewildered Youtube users trying to the decipher the three lads patter.

IF you were born in Tralee in the mid to late 80’s then the chances are you’ll remember some of these, says Gavin O’Connor

1. You believe Quinnsworth’s carpark was and always will be, the spiritual home of the ‘Bazaar’.

2. You got Coke and Taytos after GAA juvenile training. Altogether now, “We want Coke and Taytos! We want Coke and Taytos! la la la la!”

3. You saw Neil Armstrong “Get Down” in Denny Street, oh no wait, that was James Brown.

4. You queued for hours the day McDonald’s opened, only to ditch that and have a burger on the swivel chairs in the ‘Rock City Diner’ instead.

5. Whether you were in Churchill or Connolly Park you could get collected by the Strand Road bus.

6. You could drive into The Square and that wouldn’t be a problem.

7. You were up a tree in Denny Street when Kerry ended the famine in ’97 and brought Sam back.

8. You had a go on the first escalator in town when Shaws opened.

9. Saturday nights at the Complex was the place to be to watch the Tralee Tigers.

Ok, over to you! What do you associate with growing up in town in the 90s? Post your comments below

Oscar Brophy reviews a night of rock at The Greyhound Bar

LAST Saturday the Greyhound Bar upheld its reputation as the best place in Tralee to see cool music. It’s something of an oddity; when you walk in, it’s a proper “old man pub”.

Not just because of the people drinking there -the walls are adorned with sporting memorabilia, pictures of Tralee’s community heroes past and present, as well as a big glass case filled with different types of butterflies.
It’s quite a contrast when on a gig night you make your way into the back room and see Tralee’s ‘alternative’ youth and youthful-at-heart gathered to see the night’s entertainment. In my short years on this earth, I’ve seen everything from Drum and Bass, to Dub and Reggae to Trash Metal being performed in there.
This time round The Greyhound hosted the latest of Hear The Noise Promotions’ series of gigs showcasing not only local young musicians, but those from farther afield, playing an eclectic array of genres – something that’s sorely needed in Tralee with the unfortunate decline of the KDYS’ Live Band Project.
Starting off the night was the aptly named The Prelude. They played a solid set of alternative rock originals, and the singer really could hit the high notes. Here’s their rendition of Linkin Park’s What I’ve Done.

Following them was The Undecided. Another Tralee band who took us on a walk through Indie Rock territory. Their guitarist was amazing – he really knows his way around a fret board!

Then we had what was, for me, the highlight of the night. Fearless Bastard Pigeon – a new band, playing Noise Punk.

Oh by God, did they make noise – sweet, beautiful noise. They were certainly the most energetic band of the night, even if the crowd didn’t fully reciprocate. At one stage they got so into it that they broke the machine head on their bass guitar when it was thrown to ground in a fit of musical passion by the drummer.

We had a complete tonal shift to conventional Rock music with Cork’s The Blake Norton Band, fronted by Owen Wilson-look-and-soundalike Blake Norton.

They performed a few belters and a few ballads, but their sound took on a new dimension once their female vocalist took to the stage for the second half of their set – she really did have a set of lungs on her.

Unfortunately, they fell victim to the ebb and flow of the crowd and played to a sparsely crowded room.
Doubly unfortunately, we do not have a video of The Blake Norton Band performing, but during their visit to Tralee they recorded a song for BalconyTV Tralee, and we’ll be sure to share it once it goes online.
Topping off the night were Killarney/Tralee Pop-Rock outfit Jousting With Chairs. They got the best response from the crowd, and were certainly enjoying themselves!

Hear The Noise Promotions’ next Greyhound gig is on the 24th of May and will feature Tralee and Killarney’s Crann Dubh, Galway’s Between The Lines and Cork’s This Place Is Death, with more TBA.

https://www.facebook.com/events/464535030344929

General Information: Kerry School of Music head office in High St, Tralee is open six days a week- Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 5pm and on Saturdays from 9am-1pm. We can also can be contacted at  066 7125690, by email at kerrymusicschool@eircom.ie , on Facebook or by visiting our website at www.kerryschoolofmusic.com  where regular updates and news on forthcoming events are provided. Please also check out KSM Dance Academy and Kerry ChamberChoir on Facebook.

Congratulations to Kerry School of Music Senior Orchestra who played ‘out of their socks’ before a packed St. Mary’s Church of Ireland, Killarney on Wednesday last in a joint concert with an American High School String Orchestra. Such was the interest in the concert that the St. Mary’s staff had to close and secure the front door of the church and turn away up to a hundred patrons.

Easter Music Camp:

The Second Annual Easter Music Camp itook place duringthe second week of Easte with eighty five children taking part. The camp ran daily from Tuesday to Saturday, April 22nd to 26th. Through a range of activities centred on a familiar fairy tale, children from 4-12 were introduced to the entire family of instruments. They bowed, plucked, struck and banged their way through all instrument groups forming a ‘crash orchestra’ which accompanied the dramatisation of the tale of the Princess and the Frog. Song and dance and creative movement are also included.

Easter Concert- Music for Passiontide

St Mary’s Cathedral Choir and the Kerry Chamber Choir and Orchestra joined forces once again for a very special Easter concert in a packed St. Mary’s Church of Ireland, Killarney on Saturday last, April 26th when they are joined by Soloists Grainne O’ Carrol, Soprano and Amanda Neri, Contralto in a performance of three of the most beautiful sacred choral works associated with Easter – Vivaldi Gloria, Pergolesi Stabat Mater and Vivaldi Stabat Mater.

This is the second joint venture for the two choirs who first collaborated last November in a choral evening to raise funds for Palliative Care.

The Chamber Choir will now turn its attention to a recording project. In late June they will record fourteen original sacred choral pieces by director Aidan O’ Carroll ranging from functional psalm settings to one complete mass setting and settings of the Ave Maria, Our Father and the Magnificat. The recording will be launched on the KSM label at a concert in September.

Best wishes to former KSM Musician of the Year and Killarney Rotary Club Young Musician of the Year, Doireann O’ Carroll who’s off to Great Britain this weekend to compete in the Rotary of Great Britain and Ireland Music Competition. She will be accompanied by Tralee Soprano Charlotte O’ Halloran who came third in this year’s competition.

May concerts:

Glorach, Abbeyfeale, Friday, May 9th, 8pm: Students from Castleisland, Abbeyfeale, Duagh and Brosna go through their paces and are joined by the KSM Senior Orchestra and Wind Band.

Flischmann Sturio, Kerry School of Music, Saturday, May 9tt, 7.30pm: International prize-winning pianist and KSM teacher Mantautas Katinas in concert on the Kerry County Steinway piano.

St. John’s Church of Ireland, Ashe St, Tralee, 8pm: Kerry School of Music Senior Orchestra goes Pop. An evening of pop classics ranging from the Beatles to Abba, Lady Gaga and Michael Jackson.

Dingle (venue to be announced): Dingle Centre music and ballet students perform with guests the KSM Senior Orchestra and Wind Ensemble.

Fleischmann Studio, Saturday, May 24th, 7.30pm: Multi-award winning Soprano Aisling O’ Carroll and guests in An Evening of Song.

Enrollment and exam month

May is enrollment and examination month at the School of Music. Individual students and families are asked to bring us up to date with their requirements for September by re-registering. Year-end examinations also commence with two weeks of Royal Irish Academy, Royal Academy of Dance and Leinster School of Speech and Drama examinations. The School’s four Guitar teachers have decided to organise the London College of Music/Registry of Guitar Teachers exams in October due to difficulties in acquiring texts.

Monster Bar-B-Q

Saturday, May 31st is the date set for the KSM Monster Bar-B-Q which is aiming to raise the matching funds to enable the School to draw down a €10,000 grant from the Department of Arts Heritage and the Gaeltacht that will enable a complete replacement of the windows in the Fleischmann Studio wing of the School. Tickets go on sale on Monday, April 29th. A great day is promised with live music acts, children’s games, spot prizes and much more fun promised.

27th Annual Summer School

The Summer School takes place over two weeks in July and, likethe Easter Camp, introduces young people to the entire range of musical instruments through the medium of sing, dance, story-telling. visual art and drama. The Kerry School of Music Summer School has the distinction of being the longest established summer school in the county and has introduced thousands of children to the entire family of instruments.