Jinx helps end year on a high

Move over Enda, punk poet Jinx Lennon will be giving Cavan his particular scathing version of a state of the nation address when he comes to The Imperial for what promises to be one of the gigs of the year - and all for a tenner! The man who branded the Celtic Tiger the Septic Tiger back in the days when boom hadn't yet hinted it would bust, was singing and roaring about the silent masses who had been left behind. The Dundalk native somehow manages to keep the vitriol levels high without becoming overly preachy - it's achieved through sharp lyrical story-telling, wry humour and deceptively simple guitar riffs. The uninitiated - if there's any left at this stage - should check out his darkly funny track Call the Gards (which is surely the only musical reference to Padraig Harrington's haircut). The crowd pleaser is bound to muscle its way onto the Gonzo setlist, however this reviewer's favourite is City of Styrofoam Cups which tells of a guy faced with no future in Dublin, except maybe to join the masses of homeless shivering beneath blankets, cradling a begging cup. Jinx is joined on the bill by the newly reformed Whipping Boy who are reenergised by frontman and lyricist Fearghal McKee's new lease of life. Looking to build on the reputation of the unparalleled Irish album Heartworm the Leitrim based genius has just led the new look fourpiece back into the recording studio and released a great double-A single: 'No One Takes Prisoners Anymore' which speaks for itself and 'Earth's Last Picture' in which he's put a Rudyard Kipling poem to music. You can stream them for free on the Whipping Boy facebook page. Topping off the bill is Cavan's own WinterKing. Having thrilled audiences while supporting Ciaran O'Neill & Co. at Dublin's Crawdaddy and last weekend's Christmas Baggy Jumper at the Gonzo, the O'Brien brothers are in fine form. They're stepping up the live gigging before they finally unveil their eagerly anticipated debut album in the New Year. Anyone who's heard their debut EP - which they can't keep in stock - such is the demand, will have an inkling of what to expect at the Gonzo - finely crafted songs of the highest calibre. For a guaranteed great night with three top acts, head for the Gonzo theatre on Friday, December 30, 9pm; admission only €10 with tickets available from Multisound. FOR A BUMPER WHAT'S ON GUIDE FOR THE CHRISTMAS, SEE THIS WEEK'S ANGLO-CELT NEWSPAPER.