Jaunted

Belfast

Belfast's Distortion Project: the anti-Misshapes

September 12, 2006 at 10:00 AM | 0 Comments

Better known for its connections to punk and Van Morrison than any metal scene, Belfast is nonetheless a great place to roll up your sleeves and throw a set or two of devil horns.

There's hardly a more rock 'n' roll street in Belfast than Ormeau Avenue, home to the Limelight family of clubs. Lined up right next to each other are the Limelight's namesake, Katy Daly's and Spring & Airbrake, with Auntie Annie's just a few steps away on Dublin Road. The Distortion Project, a show promotion and DJ collective, is the nabe's metal master.

You can catch them in action every Saturday at tiny Katy Daly's, where the doors open and the drinks and tunes start flowing at 3:30 p.m. Cover for their Katy Daly's gigs rarely exceeds £4, though the Project's larger shows at neighboring venues often carry heftier price tags. These kids bring in the best of the best, with creative bookings like Firebird (the current project of ex-Napalm Death/Carcass guitarist Bill Steer) under their belts. We attended a DP-helmed Firebird gig back in May, and won't soon forget the amazing vibe inside the very packed Katy Daly's. For those passing through Belfast soon, look out for the Distortion Project's September 30 show at the Limelight, featuring Orange Goblin.