AN EMOTIONAL FISH (Whelan’s, Dublin)

AN EMOTIONAL Fish have not turned into a country ’n’ western band.

Despite the mainly acoustic, Nashville-friendly feel of Sloper, the band’s third album, Gerard Whelan & Co. have not sold their souls to the world of lost loves, twanging guitars and pick-up trucks. This much was obvious two songs in, when the Fish launched into a blistering version of ‘Yeah, Yeah, Yeah’, from the Junk Puppets album. Similarly, ‘Grey Matter’, culled from their eponymous debut, glowed with the band’s regained passion for pop brilliance.

The material from Sloper had a harder edge than on the album, without delving into distortion. ‘Disco Vera’ was a hugely enjoyable departure from the usual fare, while ‘Dirt’ and ‘Air’ were vintage Fish.

They played my two favourite Fish songs, ‘Rain’ and ‘Lace Virginia’, the first a wall of guitar upon which Gerard Whelan clambers with easy abandon, the latter a howl of raw emotion with enough melody to make it all worthwhile. In fact, the usual array of singles was displayed, the notable exception being ‘Blue’, while ‘Hole In My Heaven’ was its usual boiling-over brilliance. The latest release, ‘Time Is On The Wall’ took on an extra dimension live and is already proving to be a favourite with the band’s fanbase.

Ger Whelan displayed a happier side than on the Junk Puppets tour, smiling as if he meant it, even though his leering grin was still very much in evidence. Whelan is one of Ireland’s most electrifying front-men, without even opening his mouth. His physical presence is enough to unnerve even the larger male members of the audience, as he careens around like a charismatic Jim Morrison.

Tonight, Ger was superb. When the stage was invaded by a horde of kids for about four songs, he smiled and let them enjoy their fifteen minutes. They leapt about – making me worry about the safety of the drum kit – for ‘Celebrate’, and they sang and smiled their way through the other songs, with Ger playing the artful dodger, leading them in a rousing rendition of ‘Happy Families’. He looked like the pop star we all know he should be. When the stage got too crowded he wandered among the audience, singing all the while, and creating the friendliest atmosphere I have felt at a gig in some while.

Every time I see An Emotional Fish live, they remind me why I fell in love with them back at Seven Bands On The Up in 1989. The power, the energy, the melody and the pop. This is how it should be.

• John Walshe