The Answer

Portsmouth Guildhall - May 2006
Images: © 2006 www.theanswer.ie
Written by Stewart Ireland

It’s like the 80s and 90s never happened at all, Free are still one of the biggest bands on the planet and silk paisley shirts are still... "hip". The Answer are having fun, cranking out memorable tunes like Keep Believin’ and album opener Under The Sky; Paul Mahon’s guitar solos constantly flirt with feedback, crashing against Cormac Neeson’s soaring, energetic vocals that slice through the music against the rumbling groove of bass and drums. So why does my attention wander? Maybe it’s the size of the hall, maybe it’s the very British crowd response (clap, but let’s show a bit of decorum please). I think the reason I’m bored is more to do with the music - this type of rock and roll blew people away... in the 70s. The fact The Answer won ‘Best New Band Award’ at the Classic Rock awards speaks volumes. It’s a shame to say it, but I think they were born about 30 years too late.