Gig review: Ferocious Dog at Rock City

The energetic Notts based folk/pop-punk super-group Ferocious Dog have always positioned themselves as a "band of the people," and with the very good value this show at Rock City gives, they certainly deserve that reputation.

Three entertaining acts in Rock City's Beta downstairs – oh how we wish it was back to the old 'Basement' set-up of years gone by, better without the giant bar at the back, but in this era of diminishing attendances for smaller gigs, it kind of makes sense... – come in the shape of Dan Ottewell, Nick Parker and The Cloverhearts.

Then we got two impassioned new female-fronted touring-level supports upstairs on the main stage in the form of Millie Manders and the Shut-Up and As December Falls (particularly enjoyable pop-punk with lots of rock star pizazz). It doesn't matter one jot that virtually every note of Ferocious Dog's music has been lifted from hits of days gone by, or that the presentation at times is over-sincere (or on occasion, a little bit hackneyed), because on this night, the first independently promoted/unsigned band to sell out Rock City give their whiskey and beer soaked punters exactly what they want: a whirlwind hour-and-a-half of gypsy, folk and pop-punk influenced stompers.

Ferocious Dog this time round are playing in support of their new album Kleptocracy (meaning: 'a society or system ruled by people who use their power to steal their country's resources'), but of course they blast through a fair few of the past songs that have got them to the place they currently stand. Spin – despite being a jaunty and sprightly run-through – is ultra-potent on the lead up to the July election and shows that nothing much changes; it's music written during the shambles of Theresa May and BoJo (I refuse to call him Boris), but it could have easily been written now – or in the days of Thatcher – with us normal people getting a consistent kicking from Tory politics and financial manoeuvring/plundering. Either way, it gets this fully-converted, largely working-class audience bouncing, and oh, do I have a good dance along.

Broken Soldier is a simple, meat and potato fable, but the crowd approves and their favourites have enough money in the bank to wheel out a few road-worn lyrical clichés during the night. Iron Mike Malloy brings out the Pogues influence, but lacks Shane McGowan's world-weary, impassioned delivery, in a tale of a man drinking himself to death. It all shows Ken Bonsall as not the strongest vocalist (and at times he has a hand from other singers while he works this audience at Rock City like a fiddle) but, and more importantly for this genre, he has a likeable on-stage persona, consistently mentioning his roots in Warsop, a small former mining town which doesn't have too much, apart from the terrific little venue and rehearsal space The Black Market (well worth a visit).

So, to the new album Kleptocracy: It's a strong piece of work, especially as many gypsy folk-rock bands don't often translate well to wax, and is heavily represented here: with special guests on both harmonica and backing vocals, and a super-tight current FD line-up, it was always going to be a big chunk of their ninety minute set.

Sus Laws is the new single, and brings the folk protest song into the 21st century, as a commentary on police harassment at a time the Boys in Blue have the least public trust in living memory, certainly for any Millennial in attendance. "More blacks, more dogs, more Irish, it was written on the walls / In the state of discriminations and backed up by their laws."

The title track too is a punk rock stormer; clicking snares on Matty Groves' intro show promise, before the music is dragged across by a strong backbeat and chunky bass solo, and The Protest Singer has as much spirit as its passionate creators. 

"In a world of blind conformity, the truth is twisted and spun / I'll raise my voice and six-string for justice to be won..." 

Ferocious Dog performed at Rock City on 18th May 2024.