Molly Gone Mad

I went to watch Molly gone mad play at the jam factory a little over two weeks ago. I was really impressed at how this young band carried themselves for their set. The set began with the drummer, teeming with energy, running into the crowd with his drumsticks tapping above his head, encouraging everyone to clap along and to get nearer the stage while the bass guitarist and singer played a funky, high-tempo bass line. The songs began with a jam, where the musicians showed off their skills and gave us a hint of what was the come. Next were three originals - ‘Side of Your Eye’, an upbeat rock/ reggae song, ‘Easy Sweets’ is a hard funk / rock tune with a memorable and intricate drum solo; followed by a slower, darker one with the beautiful, soulful vocals of ‘Gum’. The second half of the set increased in energy and showmanship. They began with a long 2 or 3 minute intro where the bassist and guitarist seem to be weaving in and out of each other’s lines. The bassist plays a repeated tap pattern while the guitarist joins with melodic lines around it, until the drummer cuts in with a handful of heavy tom whacks and ‘Eddie’ by the Chilli Peppers begins. There’s a gigantic guitar solo to finish and we come into their second cover of the night, the Cranberries’ ‘Zombie’. The energy rises again, the frontman dances around the stage during the lightning quick guitar solo after the second chorus and the songs ends with more claps from the crowd. The final song, my personal favourite, ‘Right to Delight’, starts straight afterward. The liquid Drum’n’Bass drum beat that starts in the chorus is unlike anything they have played yet, as full of vigour as the voice is of emotion. A long instrumental break followed by a last chorus and quick guitar solo ends the show. My main takeaway from the show is how put together these young musicians seem, the confidence they exude on stage, and how tight the set is. They aren’t perfect. There is some space for improvement, and I did feel they lost some energy in a couple of the songs. But regardless, they seem to be genuinely enjoying themselves onstage. An evening well spent.

For my birthday this year, I decided to try something different and thought booking a band would be fun and interesting. After seeing Molly Gone Mad perform at a local pub, I contacted them with my idea: a birthday party where they could play a mix of covers, originals, and a couple of requested songs. They loved the idea. Molly Gone Mad were punctual, polite, and a pleasure to have around. They were just happy to be playing music. I would absolutely book them again!