In January, we had Kelly Jones doing a solo show in Vicar Street, where he was joined onstage by Noel Gallagher. On Thursday, we got the whole band, playing a sold-out show in the Olympia Theatre, and showcasing tracks from the new album, Just Enough Education to Perform. The fans had more than enough enthusiasm for their Welsh heroes and went wild for every tune, old and new.
The core trio of Jones, drummer Stuart Cable and bassist Richard Jones was augmented by keyboard player Tony Kirkham and ex-Montrose Avenue guitarist Scott James, creating a ten-legged road machine with the potential to kick rock 'n' roll ass.
Sadly, the moments of frenzy were few; for the most part, the 'Phonics cruised along on a medium wave, simply delivering the goods when they could have dropped them through the roof.
In a pre-emptive strike at the critics, the band opened with their anti-music press anthem, Mr Writer, then followed through with the metallic glitz of Vegas Two Times.
If that didn't shut us up, then the hit-list of tunes which followed left little room for argument. Hurry Up And Wait, Pick A Part That's New, I Wouldn't Believe Your Radio, The Bartender & The Thief, A Thousand Trees and Just Looking all proved that the Jones boyo can pen a crowd-friendly tune or six.
Stools were brought onstage for Step On My Old Size Nines, a gentle ode to geriatry, and Caravan Holiday, a love song for rain-soaked romantics.
The band didn't really get the momentum back after this acoustic interlude, although I Stopped To Fill My Car Up provided a fine, uplifting finish - Stereoway To Heaven, if you like.
It may be meat 'n' potatoes rock, but it definitely ain't mutton.
