Decibelles – Molloy & Dowling

A Friday evening with friends, what could be nicer? The addition of pizza, that’s what. I met the gang after work (well, for them. My office is casual. Ahem) in Chaplins on Hawkins Street. What a lovely pub. Unassuming. Traditional in a non Paddy-whackery way. Purveyors of a fine ten euro pizza and pint deal too. I went for a scoop of O’Hara’s and a margarita. Down the hatch! The rest of them munched away.

It was a flying meet up before my next engagement, but good to see my chums for a bit o’ banter. I was off to Molloy & Dowling on Kildare Street for a party in an opticians. A what in a where, you ask? That’s right. Funky eye wear dispensers, Mssrs Molloy & Dowling host regular events in their Aladin’s cave of a shop. The two gentlemen share a wonderfully eclectic taste, with their own art on display throughout.

Decibelles, featuring live music from some super cool bands, was in aid of the Women’s Therapy Centre Ireland. A counselling and psychotherapy service for women, the centre enjoyed a successful fundraiser at Molloy & Dowling on the night. WTC Office and Fundraising Manager, Claire de Jong told me that she was delighted with the turnout and thanked the bands involved for volunteering their services for free.

My 15 euro ticket price got me some vino, a couple of Kit Kats and plenty of top sounds. First up was Revelry for Beginners, a one woman show and debut performance for the enigmatic Grainne. Interspersing her act with poetic vocals, self deprecating one liners and lots of la la la, Revelry for Beginners was original and surprising. I liked. Cave Ghosts were next with a melodic rock pop vibe.

Three edgy girls and a guy, they tried out new song ” All My Life”, a little slice of summery guitar choon. Little xs for Eyes filled up the stage with six players on myriad instruments. Theirs was a rich tapestry of jangly sounds all melded together with wistful vocals. Very nice. We swayed along, all smiles and rainbows. The final act of the night was the less winsome, more femme punk five piece September Girls.

I had spotted these chicks kicking back, earlier in the night, looking hot and being cool. They were no different on stage, turning out fuzzy garage rock with spiky charm. All eyeliner, back combing and plectrums these girls have a good thing going on. Their drummer was a powerhouse with sticks, with the front line strumming away in rhythm. Watch out for their debut album, coming out early next year.

With the music over, the fun kept on coming with Tina Maguire, Counselling Psychologist with WTC, opening the hat for their raffle. Prizes included books, DVDs, wine and vintage glasses. Yours truly didn’t win, but I was like a child with the excitement. Molloy & Dowling is such a brilliant venue. Quirky and intimate, I love what they’ve created. WTC were thrilled to announce they raised 936.59 euro.

www.womenstherapycentre.ie / Molloy & Dowling, 18b Kildare Street, Dublin 2