Sunlight Posted March 8, 2011 Share Posted March 8, 2011 EXCLUSIVE: Muse man joins Bipolar Empire on stage in Dublin Hot Press got to speak to Chris Wolstenholme after his Workman's Club guest appearance. We were gagging to tell you beforehand but, hey, we were sworn to secrecy! Dublin band Bipolar Empire were joined on stage on Monday night at The Workman’s Club by Muse bass-player and sometime Dublin resident Chris Wolstenholme who performed the last two songs with the chaps. Ann Sexton not only got to witness this little slice of Irish rock history, but also spoke exclusively to Chris after the gig while Graham Keogh snapped away. Here's her report... Taking the stage, Bipolar Empire are zinging with energy. And well they should - it's not every day you get to share the limelight with an indie legend. Well, not unless you're Matt Bellamy. Tonight Mr. Chris Wolstenholme, bassist with Muse and a gentleman more used to playing to hordes of screaming fans, is the band's special guest. The Workman's Club is heaving for a Monday night, and it's probably fair to say that a good number of the audience are here to get within spitting distance of a rock star. As Bipolar Empire open their set, a palpable air of excitement goes through the crowd, wondering where exactly Wolstenholme is. Singer Shane O'Reilly is an engaging frontman with a voice that switches effortlessly between quietly emotive and a stadium-worthy roar. The songs move between chugging rhythms, solid hooks and psychedelic overtones, and tracks such as 'Only Darkness', 'Open Your Mind' and 'The Wire' all receive enthusiastic response. Saving their best-known songs for last, Wolstenholme joins the band - playing guitar! - for their singles, 'Tempomanic' and 'Feel That You Own It.' While Wolstenholme may be the special attraction, the crowd sing along word for word. Like many things in life Wolstenholme's presence is a case of who you know, not what you know - his appearance was arranged by a mutual friend. "It started as a bit of a joke," Wolstenholme tells Hot Press afterwards. "But then I thought it would be quite a good laugh to do something different. I've not played guitar in a band for years. With Muse it's great, it's my passion in life, but it's great to do something like this as it's a bit less pressure." Less pressure? What with everyone staring at you? "I was shitting myself!" he laughs. "Playing with a different band, playing a different instrument and playing a small venue as well! "When you play in a bigger venue you get further and further away from the crowd, which sometimes makes you a little more comfortable. You don't feel that people are that focused on what you're doing because you have that distance. But it's something that you miss as well. It's nice having people up close because you can see their faces and see what they're experiencing, but it's very nerve-wracking as well." Having run through the songs just twice with the band before taking the stage, Wolstenholme was impressed by how musically adept Bipolar Empire are. "I'd heard the album and I'd seen a few live pieces on YouTube and they seemed very together. I wasn't too worried about it, but you never know till you turn up. They play really well together; they're really tight." While Bipolar acquit themselves admirably, "I did make a few mistakes!" Wolstenholme cheerfully admits. Famous guest stars aside, live Bipolar Empire are a more than worthy attraction by themselves, and you don't have to take my word for it "I don't think they need any help from me," says Wolstenholme. "They're a really good band." Source Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chudenk Posted March 8, 2011 Share Posted March 8, 2011 jCQCB8hmXoc Sounds a bit like muse? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hat Posted March 8, 2011 Share Posted March 8, 2011 jCQCB8hmXoc Sounds a bit like muse? Not really. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunlight Posted March 8, 2011 Author Share Posted March 8, 2011 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9aTzW6uFdAA http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUSSwMFh2Qg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly. Posted March 8, 2011 Share Posted March 8, 2011 Yeah its the galloping beat that sounds musey and bass. They kinda remind me of arctic monkeys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a-museing Posted March 8, 2011 Share Posted March 8, 2011 Are you fucking kidding me? :mad: Someone asked me to go to this gig a few weeks ago. fmlfmlfmlfmlfml x ∞ fml Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hat Posted March 8, 2011 Share Posted March 8, 2011 Are you fucking kidding me? :mad: Someone asked me to go to this gig a few weeks ago. fmlfmlfmlfmlfml x ∞ fml Tough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tofu Posted March 8, 2011 Share Posted March 8, 2011 My face= Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JessicaSarahS Posted March 8, 2011 Share Posted March 8, 2011 Lucky bastards! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amii Posted March 8, 2011 Share Posted March 8, 2011 I made them a thread in other bands like two years ago, NOW you guys start listening to them! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luigi. Posted March 8, 2011 Share Posted March 8, 2011 Lucky bastards! +1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevmamen96 Posted March 9, 2011 Share Posted March 9, 2011 jCQCB8hmXoc Sounds a bit like muse? Although the song in its entirety sounds quite a bit like the Arctic Monkeys, the opening vocal melody sounds like the Starlight piano part Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chudenk Posted March 9, 2011 Share Posted March 9, 2011 Although the song in its entirety sounds quite a bit like the Arctic Monkeys, the opening vocal melody sounds like the Starlight piano part And the bass line remind me of KOC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elise<3sMuse Posted March 9, 2011 Share Posted March 9, 2011 Yay Chris! Are you fucking kidding me? :mad: Someone asked me to go to this gig a few weeks ago. fmlfmlfmlfmlfml x ∞ fml Wow, that sucks majorly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RayFan9876 Posted March 9, 2011 Share Posted March 9, 2011 Not really. What, it so does kind of. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garseys Posted March 9, 2011 Share Posted March 9, 2011 The 2fm ad slot they had helped them to no end. Very happy for them and a tiny bit pissed I couldn't go to this! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starlight_lucy Posted March 9, 2011 Share Posted March 9, 2011 Chris looked at home well sort of They're pretty good though O_O Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnyColourYouLike Posted March 9, 2011 Share Posted March 9, 2011 Don't they mean Bi-Winning Empire? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YallaYaBatteekh Posted March 9, 2011 Share Posted March 9, 2011 jCQCB8hmXoc Sounds a bit like muse? kinda reminded me of KoC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dominic. Posted March 9, 2011 Share Posted March 9, 2011 kinda reminded me of KoC. Along with that I immediately thought Starlight... I did only watch 16 seconds though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LyraSilvertongue Posted March 9, 2011 Share Posted March 9, 2011 ...it's not every day you get to share the limelight with an indie legend. When are people going to stop labelling Muse 'indie'? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lukester911 Posted March 9, 2011 Share Posted March 9, 2011 Don't they mean Bi-Winning Empire? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pop Tarts Posted March 9, 2011 Share Posted March 9, 2011 Reminds me more of Brianstorm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcade Posted March 10, 2011 Share Posted March 10, 2011 does Chris look like he might of had a few too many guinesses, or is he doing a riverdance?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JessicaSarahS Posted March 10, 2011 Share Posted March 10, 2011 Looks like he's crouching down a bit to match their height? The guy on his left is standing on his toes to fit in the picture. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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