Inhaler rocks House of Blues amidst St. Patrick’s Day celebrations

Among the masses of bar hoppers decked out in green that dominated the Fenway neighborhood this past weekend, fans lined up in front of the House of Blues for the indie-rock band Inhaler, based in Dublin. Fans dawned cowboy hats adorned with various references, like “Boston in Ecstasy,” a pun on the band’s song “Dublin in Ecstasy.” 

Recently, Inhaler has risen in popularity, experiencing a new wave of fans since the release of their sophomore album Cuts and Bruises released last month. School friends turned bandmates, the band is comprised of Elijah Hewson (lead vocals and guitar), Robert Keating (bass), Josh Jenkinson (guitar), and Ryan McMahon (drums).

Southern California natives Sun Room kicked the show off, filling the room with their 60’s inspired surf rock sound. With Luke Asgian on lead vocals and guitar, Max Pinamonti on bass, Ashton Minnich on guitar, and Gibby Anderson on drums, the boys brought the summer heat to a chilly March night. The band sang hits including “Crashed My Bike,” featured in the second season of the Netflix show “Outer Banks,” “Sol Del Sur,” and “Cadillac,” the lead single off their new EP Outta Their Minds. Concert-goers typically exhibit significantly more enthusiasm for the headliners, but the energy in the room was electric - fans shook the floor as they danced to the addictive sound and passionately sang along. Although their set was only around 35 minutes long, Sun Room was a tough act to follow.

At 9 p.m., without saying a word, the Inhaler boys began their set with “These Are The Days,” the lead single off of Cuts and Bruises. True to their lyrics, “these are the days that follow you home,” the single gave a perfect taste of the 90 minute set ahead.

They charged through with fan favorites from their first album, including “My Honest Face,” a single released initially in 2019 then again in 2021 after melodic and lyrical adjustment. “Just To Keep You Satisfied,” the Cuts and Bruises opener, was one of the songs I was most excited for as it quickly became one of our favorites off the new album. The repetitive “la’s” of the chorus were even more fun live; an easy lyric for those who’ve never heard the song before to catch on to. To state it simply, I was not disappointed by the live rendition.

In true St. Patrick’s Day fashion, Boston became one of the lucky cities who experienced “The Things I Do” live – a fan favorite yet inconsistent part of the set list. The fans’ screams after the first couple notes should be proof enough that the song deserves to be a setlist staple.

Next, Jenkinson switched out his electric guitar for an acoustic one, the only time in the show it happened, in preparation for “My King Will Be Kind.” Known for the iconic lyric “I f***ing hate that b***h,” the instrumentals and vocals cut out during the second verse, allowing fans to release any pent up emotions.

“Love Will Get You There” was another tune I was especially excited for, as it was the song that truly made me a fan of theirs. As the second single from the new album, its catchy chorus and uplifting lyrics perfectly encapsulates Inhaler’s sound.

One of the things that drew me into the fandom is the unique way the band interacts with fans. Mid-show, Hewson made sure to keep fans entertained, asking what they got up to the previous night, “debauchery?” and suggesting McMahon do a backflip. The chemistry between the boys is undeniable, made obvious through the number of jokes they crack and the cowboy hats they tease one another with.

As McMahon hit his kick drum, fans knew exactly what song was next. “Who’s Your Money On” is a dance pop song from their debut album and a staple of their setlist, truly showcasing their range. During every live performance - whether headlining, supporting, or at a festival - Hewson makes the crowd jump to the beat. After about four minutes of pure energy, the drum beat stops and hypnotizing guitar fills its place, giving us a moment to catch our breath. The final two minutes of this song, called “Plastic House,” is always a beautiful moment in their live shows. Boston did not disappoint, as everyone turned on their phone flashlights and allowed for Hewson’s vocals to ring clear. The disco ball hanging above reflected the fan-made light and allowed for a bit of calm, a sharp juxtaposition from the energy seconds before.

“Cheer Up Baby,” a love letter to the fans, was the perfect message to follow the emotional lyrics from the song prior. Hewson sings, “Cheer up baby / you’re not on your own,” as the four boys exited the stage.

Cheers of “encore” quickly followed their departure, and after a couple minutes of anticipation and an outfit change by Hewson and Keating, they took the stage once again for their final two songs. “If You’re Gonna Break My Heart,” the third single on Cuts and Bruises, was first. An ode to the folk music they frequently find themselves enjoying during their North American tour, the song differs from their usual music, but was enjoyable nonetheless.

They closed with “It Won’t Always Be Like This”; a testament to the audience’s individual struggles and the perfect sentiment to wrap up an emotional roller coaster of a performance.

Overall, Inhaler sounded just as good live, arguably better, as they do on recording, and their high energy performance and infectious personalities made for a show like no other.