REVIEW: Mclusky @ Paradise Rock Club 4/8
Photo Credit: Adam Bubolz
Review by Maya Bofinger
Waiting in line for the doors of Paradise Rock Club to open, I watched the sun set, but for Mclusky, a new dawn had just risen. This Welsh post-hardcore and noise rock band returned to Boston on April 8th to play a loud, thrilling, and quintessentially ‘Mclusky’ set at the Paradise Rock Club following the release of their fourth album. They’ve been quite active recently, dropping their new album “the world is still here and so are we,” last May; the first after a nearly 20-year long hiatus. They’ve also released two new extended play’s, “i know computer” and “i sure am getting sick of this bowling alley” back in February and March, respectively.
The band had disbanded in 2005, reforming vaguely 2014 through 2015. Their reasons for breaking up were quite private, though many speculated that it was due to tensions between Andrew Falkous and ex-bassist and vocalist Jon Chapple. Chapple did not rejoin Mclusky and has gone on to work on his project Shooting at Unarmed Men, later drumming for the band Poor People, and currently acts as the bassist for Harmony. There was quite a change in Mclusky’s lineup during their break, as Jack Egglestone joined the band from 2003 to 2005. Since 2014 he’s also acted as their drummer, while Damien Sayell has been on vocals and guitar since 2014.
The show opened with a convulsive yet tender set from Pile, an Boston-based indie rock band, during which they dedicated a song to Mclusky and their time touring together. they didn’t fail to leave the stage without making a passionate political statement, although admittedly lacking the sarcastic delivery of Mclusky’s Andrew Falkous’ commentary. Unfortunately, the people standing next to me were talking pretty loud during Pile’s set– which actually led to some confrontational quieting from nearby fans, distracting me and others nearby. Although some heated words were exchanged, the conflict was resolved and everyone was able to enjoy the rest of the set. Thankfully, most of the crowd was passionate and in tune with the crackling sound of both bands, so this interaction didn’t horribly alter my opinion of the Mclusky fanbase.
The last way you would expect a hardcore band to open their set is with the sentence “We are Kings of Leon!” Then again, you really can’t predict what Mclusky will do next.
With Andrew Falkous on vocals and guitar, Jack Egglestone on drums, and Damien Sayell on vocals and bass, the trio elicited excited cheers by jumping straight into “Lightsabre Cocksucking Blues,” an upbeat, unhinged song from their 2002 album “Mclusky Do Dallas.” Their live performance of this song as well as the rest was just as polished as the production on their newest album; the chemistry the artists have established over years of touring together was evident. It’s one thing to see a great, jagged, frenetic set like Mclusky’s, but there’s nothing quite like seeing it come from a place of true friendship. What’s more punk than camaraderie?
Mclusky played a total of 21 songs that Wednesday night, interspersing songs from their well-known early albums like “Alan Is a Cowboy Killer” and “To Hell With Good Intentions” with newer songs like “people person” and “way of the exploding dickhead”. Their earlier work was received with uproarious enthusiasm, but Mclusky’s audience, made up of mostly middle-aged fans, was definitely less familiar with their most recent project. That being said, the tight, rhythmic vocals of “people person” were definitely a favorite; the track had previously been nominated for Most Trashy at the 2025 Berlin Music Video Awards. The novelty of some of their tracks couldn’t take away from the crowd’s enjoyment– everywhere I turned, everyone was engrossed in the music: people were bouncing off one another, headbanging, and swaying. You don’t need to know the lyrics to appreciate Mclusky’s serrated, furious sound.
As we were all busy catching our breath, Falkous and Sayell kept up their comedic banter, jabbing at the Bostonians in the crowds with their caps on indoors, repeating jokes about dead nans, and clapping back to the sporadic heckling coming from the sea of fans.
Not only was Mclusky explosive, energetic, and characteristically witty, but when the drum shields came crashing down on Egglestone mid-song, all members held their heads up and kept performing– even when cymbals were taken down and beers were spilled. The supporting crew rushed onto stage to help restructure the band’s equipment, and when the song ended, Falkous kept the crowd engaged with his sneering sense of humor.
Was I sniffling throughout the concert? Yes. But was the music – sarcastic, witty, and simultaneously violent – the perfect cure to my common cold? Also yes. I’m glad I left Paradise Rock Club with a setlist instead of leaving BU’s Student Health Services with a prescription note. That being said, I genuinely couldn’t miss this show, but I can’t say going to a noise rock show is aligned with the doctor’s orders. If you’re sick, stay home and listen to some of the buzzy, clever tracks on “the world is still here and so are we,” regain some energy, and cross your fingers so that you can catch their next tour!