The first time I saw Mucky Pups live was in February 2011 at the Dirty South pub in Lewisham. As my first impression, I was a little bit puzzled. I genuinely thought they were good but a little bit ‘unsynchronized’ with what was happening in the music scene. Their infectious riffs and contagious ‘oh-ho’ could have worked better in the first half of the noughties, somehow squeezed in between The Pigeon Detectives and Dirty Pretty Things. Skinny jeans and pointed shoes aplenty, straightforward lyrics. Everything so amazing, brilliant and full of enthusiasm. Honest indie rock, let’s put it in this way. And that cheeky Mucky Pups flag raised at the end of their first gig was so sweet and sincere, maybe an ode to Pete Doherty in Fuck Forever. Is it going to last? I asked myself.

Nearly three years after, I am in the front row to see Mucky Pups for the twentieth time maybe. True, indie rock has never reached its 2001-2002 golden status but quality songs never lose their appeal if they truly have a soul. And Mucky Pups’ gig in the Dublin Castle showed a band at its peak, ready to make it or break it. In front of a very intimate crowd consisted of close friends, girlfriends and die-hard fans, Mucky Pups revise what has happened so far. Old favourites like What Do I Know and (I’ll Help You) Fall Apart receive the usual warm reception and needless to say, the anthemic Little White Lies still sounds as youthful and energetic as ever. It’s definitely their Last Nite or I Bet You Look Good on the Dance floor, such a catchy tune that will never lose its cheeky appeal.

Understandably, the moody and intimate Friday Evening Blues –normally part of almost every gig- won’t be performed tonight. There’s not time for bitter introspection in this forty-five minutes long set. It’s Wednesday night, Mucky Pups feel young and want to have fun. In spite of singing their inspirations loudly and clearly –The Kinks, The Strokes, The Libertines to name but a few- Dan, Daniel, Jason and Carl show no interest in nostalgia. Rather than simply imitating the glorious old past, they update this Cool Britannia revival with a personal twist.

As unpredictable as the future could be, there’s still room for some hope. Maybe playing the festival circuit? According to drummer Dan, Mucky Pups are not too far away from this goal, it’s only a matter of time. After all, they’ve got everything it takes to set the John Peel stage on fire. Tunes, guitar riffs, a devoted fan base and good look. But that’s the future, Mucky Pups’ present has never sounded that buzzing and exciting.

 

Silvia Rucchin