The Lemonheads – The Academy – 24/08/25 – Live Review
by Killian Laher

After an unforgettable (for all the wrong reasons) Evan Dando solo show last year, he returned with his band to ostensibly commemorate 1993’s Come On Feel The Lemonheads album and simultaneously promote a forthcoming album.  Support came from The Sleeveens, who bashed their way through a set that called to mind goodtime punks The Ramones.  Singer Stefan Murphy overcame a chest infection to belt through Metallica Font, Six Counties Punk and new single Downtown, accompanied by three musicians from Nashville.  It was hard not to be won over by their relentless good-natured energy as they powered through Give My Regards To The Dancing Girls and, just in case we weren’t sure where they were coming from, a fine cover of The Undertones’ Get Over You.  Murphy and co were clearly delighted to be there, and were well received by a smiling audience.

Dando and co arrived in a flurry and launched into his solo tune My Idea, before playing rocked up tunes from the Come On Feel the Lemonheads album.  It’s About Time was rendered excellently with Dando riffing over a tight rhythm section.  His vocals were a little hoarse on Down About It and Paid To Smile, though muscular versions of Big Gay Heart and Dawn Can’t Decide worked well.  However, Evan Dando appeared in something of a mood, with a four-letter rant about how the audience was ‘just standing there’.  He switched to bass for a jammy Style and took to the cymbals for a thrash version of Being Around, but a rocky version of Favourite T sounded like one of the better songs of the night.

After pounding a keyboard for no apparent reason, the band took a break as Dando played an acoustic guitar for Townes Van Zandt’s Snow Don’t Fall and Into Your Arms.  However, seemingly unhappy with how well these songs were received, he ushered the band back, this time joined by John Perry from the Only Ones for some ‘rough rock n roll’. Dando suggested to the audience that “you can leave if you want, fuck off, fuck you guys’.  A certain number of the audience took this advice.  After playing a few covers, GG Allin’s Layin’ Up with Linda and Gram Parsons’ Return of the Grievous Angel, Perry left, and the band rounded off a bad-tempered set with The Great Big No and the brand new pair of Deep End and In The Margin.  Perhaps the forthcoming Lemonheads album might actually materialise after all!

A bizarre set, but an improvement on last year’s disastrous solo show.  However, Evan Dando seemed put out to be there and to have to play his own songs for a paying audience.  It’s a shame, as when he held it together, his guitar playing still sounds good, and he still has something of a voice.  But where his behaviour is leading him to is anyone’s guess.