Who strung tenterhooks across The Village ceiling? Following the Bank of Ireland National Student Music Awards since the get-go meant a real investment in the outcome: of six utterly different bands, who would triumph? Philtre, Ladydoll or The Dirty 9s, who just won Deis Roc?
Jerome’s Law certainly thought themselves deserving: tuned up a notch from the qualifying heat at UCD, heads higher, jumps jauntier, you could tell this buzz was their biggest yet. Lush and light-headed pop keys over ambitious bass and guitars, all this band need are a few years of kicking up their heels.
When it comes to checking off a list of rock band clichés, Floyd Soul and the Wolf are so high on points they’re almost ground-breaking. Brooding frontman prone to microphone seizures? Check. Classic rock backing from a bemused band? Check. Blistering tattoos and songs about whiskey? Check-shirts!
Onstage at The Village, Disconnect4 give their screaming all: advanced to Dublin from the NUIG heat with FS&TW, Papa Leon howls into the mic, wild-eyed, feet never still. Risky/rowdy, Disconnect 4 know exactly what kind of band they want to be: the winning one.
Joint honour of runners-up therefore elicits unenthusiastic responses from Disconnect 4 and Jerome’s Law. Floyd Soul and the Wolf are deemed winners of 2008’s National Student Music Awards.
“We were a bit disappointed after playing our best ever and to come so close to a prize that would have helped us in so many amazing ways,” rued Shane O'Neill of Jerome's Law after the result was announced. “Second out of all the student bands in Ireland isn’t too bad, I suppose!”
Gracious in defeat, Disconnect4's Papa Leon said: “We thought Floyd Soul would win after seeing them in the heat. It was totally deserved. In a student band competition, they have a perfect sound.”
But what of the victors?
“We’re still on a high from the night!” Floyd told us a few days after their triumph. “We’re in the process of sorting a tour for later this year, hitting venues all over the place. Our single’s being mastered in Nashville right now, set for release to coincide with the dates. We’d like to thank the people who come to every gig and follow us relentlessly!”