Sheffield based duo Drenge have supplied us with another boneshaker of a tune today, in the shape of the ‘delightfully’ titled ‘Necromance Is Dead’.
It is the first slice of new music from the Loveless brothers since their superb debut single, ‘Bloodsports’. Constructed along the same punk-blues-rock formula that made their debut single so good, ‘Necromance Is Dead’ is a visceral, snarling, thrilling and menacing squall of noise. In other Drenge related news, the duo have been announced as support for Miles Kane on his upcoming UK tour but you can catch them closer to home when they play Longitude Festival, Dublin on July 21st.
‘Necromance Is Dead’ is available as a free download below.
‘BarryGruff Presents’ returns to Flanagan’s Bar for its 14th Newbridge installment on Saturday, April 20th.
Over the course of the past 18 months there’s been some really special nights in Flanagan’s. Saturday night’s show promises to be another top night of live music with No Monster Club & The Dead Beat + Be Curious, Kid.
Dublin’s No Monster Club is without doubt, one of the finest and exciting live acts in Ireland right now. Their rough around the edges blend of surf rock/bubblegum pop/lo-fi indie has been compared to The Strokes, The Velvet Underground, The Unicorns and The Libertines and seen them share the stage with the likes of Ariel Pink, Squarehead, Wavves, Girls Names, Abe Vigoda and HEALTH. No Monster Club went down a storm the last time they were in Newbridge with We Are Losers, and this visit promises to be just as brilliant.
Fellow Dubs The Dead Beat are a four piece indie band, whose sound is firmly rooted in that classic indie sound. Far from being straightforward landfill indie, of which there is already too much; this is melodic indie/alternative rock done with a swagger and poise. The band is currently putting the finishing touches to their new EP, Your 19th Revolution, and take some time out for a first show in Newbridge. Joining them on the bill will be Kildare’s own Be Curious, Kid who has been steadily building a rep for themselves locally with their own indie-rock stylings.
It’s FREE in as usual & the show starts at 9pm. Another night of great music in prospect. [RSVP here]
BarryGruff Presents #14: No Monster Club + The Dead Beat + Be Curious, Kid :: Saturday, April 20th – 9pm – Flanagan’s Bar, Newbridge
‘A Better Fit’ is one of the three No Monster Club tracks on Popical Island’sThe Community Games compilation, which features four EPs from four bands; No Monster Club obviously, Ginnels, Grand Pocket Orchestra & Cave Ghosts.
There is something delightful about No Monster Club, their rough around the edges blend of surf rock/bubblegum pop/lo-fi indie is just so bloody lovable. Live or on record, NMC never disappoint, there is just a infectious sense of fun to everything they turn their hands too. ’A Better Fit’ and it’s monkey-suited new video companion (by Narayan Van Maele & David Lester Mooney) is a case in point. The compilation as it goes, is rather excellent, with the Ginnels and NMC inclusions being the pick of the bunch. You can stream The Community Games in full here.
In case you didn’t know, No Monster Club will play ‘BarryGruff Presents’ #14 down here in Newbridge next Saturday, April 20th, but before all that, get to Whelan’s on Saturday for the gig featuring live sets from all four bands.
Baltimore trio Double Dagger decided to call it a day back in 2011, which was a shame to say the least. I was lucky enough to see them play Whelan’s upstairs in 2010 to about 20 people, nonetheless it was a great gig and it certainly left an impression.
Double Dagger are being granted a final outing and will release the six-track 333 collection for Record Store Day, which coincides with the release of If You Shout Loud Enough, a documentary that follows the trio’s final tour. To provide a taste of 333 Double Dagger have kindly shared ’Heretic’s Hymn’ with us. Part shout-a-long fury and part winding instrumental, ’Heretic’s Hymn’ is the closing track off the EP. It sounds for all intents and purpose a farewell song, with frontman Nolen Strals declaring ”But if this is my last song, these are the last words I ever write, I hope you won’t forget, you’re only free making art outside.” It’s a shame they aren’t around anymore but hopefully this will be a fitting farewell for the criminally underrated trio.
You can stream ‘Heretic’s Hymn’ below and you can cast an eye over the trailer for If We Shout Loud Enough too.
Dog Legs are London / Brighton duo of Moema Meade and Liam Bradbury, by way of Menai Bridge. The duo are fine purveyors of dirty, rough ‘n ready lo-fi garage punk, done in short bursts and wrapped with a touch of extremely catchy bubblegum pop.
There is a definite ‘don’t give a fuck’ vibe going on, furthered by their fondness for an expletive which runs throughout their latest EP, Awkward. The EP is quite fun and filled with sharp-tongued lyrical sweariness, from the high-energy blasts of ‘Beast Like Me’ and ‘Cobra Snake’ to the darker downbeat ‘Bitch Please’ or ‘Another Shit Teen Movie’. Yeah there’s a slightly juvenile aspect to the whole thing, but it’s actually one of the appealing features to Dog Legs and their EP. Instead of ‘seriousness’ they allow their sense of fun run wild, bash out a jam and enjoy it. Simply brilliant stuff and utterly infectious too.
You can check out some choice cuts from Dog Legs below or grab their Awkward EP from bandcamp.
Scottish trio Galoshins are a rather curious proposition. Taking the unusual step of releasing their two debut EPs simultaneously, it sort of sums these guys up, there is nothing orthodox about this trio.
The two rather intense EPs are bursting with ideas and provide an excellent, if somewhat incohesive snapshot of what they’re all about. Loosely, it is furiously buoyant whirlwind of organ fueled psych-punk but it is near impossible to pin them down. Although it does at times bring to mind something of early Futureheads meets The Things and Sluts of Trust. Whatever you want to call it, their off-kilter approach to rock ‘n roll maybe unhinged but never boring. Opening track ‘Shake Up’ sets the tempo, a hyperactive fervour with an exhilarating combo of serrated guitar, organ and vocals delivered with a strong parochial Scots lilt. It is a striking introduction as they career headlong through each track of an ever impressive, cacophony of furious unorthodoxy.
Anyone bemoaning the lack of character or flavour to guitar music at present would do well to take note of Galoshins. Their EP1 & EP2 are out now through Armellodie Records.
2012 has been another impressive year for Irish releases, leaving us with a hell of a lot of great albums, EPs and songs to enjoy. For such a small place it can be surprising, the sheer quantity and quality of stuff in Ireland. On the surface at least, Irish music appears alive, well and more diverse and vibrant than ever.
In an attempt to do the year some justice (some, I said), I decided to cobble together some of my favorites from throughout the year into a mixtape/compilation. Please excuse the odd mistake, my laptop has not been kind to me the past week. Without further ado, here’s my favourite ‘Irish Songs of 2012′. The tracklisting is after the jump.
Last week State compiled a list of 50 musical ‘Hidden Treasures’ from it’s contributors, including myself (you can read it here). Afterwards I got to thinking about what other obscure or underrated material lurked in the dark corners of my music collection.
Now I don’t mean obscure for the sake of it. I mean the kind of record you were just lucky to pick up, get passed by a mate or something you just happened across online, which was overlooked or now all but forgotten. So, in no particular order, here’s a quick run through of 10 Hidden Treasures from the BarryGruff vaults, some of which may be familiar to you while others probably won’t.
Sluts of Trust – ‘That’s Right…That Cat’s Right’
This one from Glaswegian two-piece Sluts of Trust is taken their one and only album, We Are All Sluts of Trust, released back in 2004. ’That’s Right…That Cat’s Right’ captures everything that’s great about them and the album, few, if any, match their raucous energy and sleazy somewhat perverse sound. It’s a great shame they more or less disappeared off the face of the planet after this, such a waste.
Duncan Lloyd – ‘Suzee’
Solo side-projects are one of the greatest sources of hidden gems, how many have slipped out with anyone barely noticing, as artists exorcise their creative demons? Step forward, Duncan Lloyd. Best known as the guitarist in Maximo Park, he released his solo LP Seeing Double back in 2008 which was as far cry from the high energy bowler hat hijinx of the day job. ‘Suzee’ is easily the catchiest and melodic cut from the album, capturing the rough, raw and no frills approach. And, yes, in case you’re wondering, no one really paid any attention to this.
Zero Boys – ‘Livin’ In The 80s’
Zero Boys are one of punk’s many underrated unsung heroes. Their 1982 LP, Vicious Circle is littered with loud, fast and raw punk rock anthems. ‘Livin’ In The 80s’ is just one of many snarling renditions but you’ll get the idea. 30 years later and Zero Boys still sound dangerous.
John Power – ‘Jumping Bean’
More noted for his time with The La’s and Cast, Power did however forge a credible, if overlooked solo career between the years of latter splitting and subsequently reforming. It was with Willow She Weeps, his second solo album, which saw him come into his own. Turning away from his pop/indie past in favour of powerful country blues. If one song shows this metamorphosis it’s ‘Jumping Bean’.
Ben Human – ‘Take Me To Las Vegas’
Ben Human is an illusive character, with mystery surrounding his real identity but rumour has it, he is in fact Ben Addison from the bands Corduroy & Boys Wonder. Regardless of who he is or isn’t, he has two albums of easy going and fun, sample filled electronica under his belt; Go Human Not Ape (2002) and Out Of Towner (2005). Taken from the latter, ’Take Me To Las Vegas’ shows he’s quite exceptional when it comes to uplifting jazzy electronica.
Grantura – ‘Waves’
So far as can be reckoned Grantura released one album, In Dreams and Other Stories, in 2008 before disappearing into the sunset. Their album and brand of Americana is filled with cheerful melodies and intricate musicianship; it could easily soundtrack a sun soaked summer. ’Waves’ is one of the high points from the LP with it’s vocal harmonies to melt even the iciest heart. Grantura are actually from London, although you’d never know on listening to them.
The Things – ‘Hold Me Down’
The Things will be a familiar name to anyone knocking about Dublin in the mid 00′s, others however, may not have been that lucky. A mix of rock ‘n’ roll and punk rock, they were fast, loud, and all with a dash of chaotic fury. ‘Hold Me Down’ is taken from their one and only LP, Some Kind of Kick, for shortly afterward the release they sadly parted company. Another great Irish rock ‘n’ roll band consigned to the annals of history.
Filthy Dukes – ‘Nonsense In The Dark’
Filthy Dukes might be a familiar name to some, due to their numerous remixes over the past few years but their debut album Nonsense In The Dark deserves some respect in it’s own right. The title track from the record saw them enlist vocal help from Orlando Weeks, of ‘The Maccabees’, to create a captivating piece of indie-influenced electronica that’s utterly chilled from start to finish, a real classic.
Lo-Fidelity Allstars – ‘Battle Flag (Feat. Pigeonhead)’
Released in 1998 through big beat specialists Skint Records, How To Operate With A Blown Mind from the late ’90s was one of those dance records ‘okay’ for scruffy young indiekids to listen to. While the album is still a decent listen after all those years, ‘Battle Flag (Feat. Pigeonhead)’ remains a fine cut.
Ian Pooley – ‘Bay of Plenty’
Pooley maybe a more recognizable name than others, a twenty year music career will do that. Anyway ‘Bay of Plenty’ is taken from the German producers excellent album Since Then (2000), which could be loosely defined as house music but it, like the album, has an unmistakable feel good samba vibe going on.
Runaround Kids have joined forces with label mates The Spills for a split release single, ’Into The Light’/'Atomic Arabian Facebuster’.
The Wakefield trio have been pretty prolific this year, this being their third release of 2012, one of which was a split with our very own We Are Losers. ’Into The Light’ is a 3-minute bag of fast, fuzzy of guitar rock with big riffs, bubbling bass and lung-bursting vocals. It is addictive, catchy and loud, displaying exactly what they do so well. Meanwhile The Spills offering, ‘Atomic Arabian Facebuster’ is equally addictive. A brilliant blend of noisy somewhat anthemic rock revolving around a chugging riff and screeching vocal, The Wedding Present meets Pavement if you will. An excellent introduction to a previously unfamiliar band
On a side note, Runaround Kids played one of the ‘BarryGruff Presents’ shows during the summer, this is only one example of their talent, they’ve got plenty more ammo in the locker (they are top lads too).
The split single is available on limited edition cassette (100 copies) and as a download from here now.
The ever impressive Candice Gordon is back with her second single ‘Cannibal Love’, released on October 29th, aptly titled for Halloween.
‘Cannibal Love’ is delivered with her now signature snarl and growl as she shrieks through an electric tw0-minute-plus cacophony of saw-toothed guitar riffs, set to a frantic demon punk stomp. Gordon’s output this last twelve months has been impressive, with each release bettering the last. There is no indication of when an album is due, that said, if she keeps up this kind of form I’ll happily lap up the singles and wait for an LP.
‘Cannibal Love’ is released w/ b-side ‘I See A Demon’ on October 29th – check it and the Nigella meets bloody cannibal video below.
It’s been quite a wait, two years in fact, since first hearing Dublin noise makers Kid Karate, supporting The Rags in Whelan’s where they almost blew the roof off. From the first visceral note on that night it was bloody obvious these guys were something special.
Numerous electrifying gigs, an excellent EP later and their debut album Night Terrors is finally ready to go. Taken from said album is new single ‘Two Times’, which sums up why they’re such a formidable force. It’s a scuzzy rock n roll jam filled with furious riffage and thunderous drums, not to mention throat zapping vocals. If that doesn’t leave you eagerly anticipating their debut album, nothing will.
It must be said too, they are one of the most impressive live performers in the country, so when they hit the road to promote the new record don’t miss out.
There is no great secret of my feelings about Trap Door. The Dublin trio have been one of the shining lights to emerge in Ireland over the past 12 months.
Trap Door’s latest single ‘Wake Up’ takes their up-tempo combination of punk, folk, ska and hip-hop and douses it with lashings of energetic rebelliousness. The Finn Keenan produced video is great too and features two mischievous ol’ lads getting up to all kinds of, well, mischief. It is sure to put a wry smile on your face.
You can download Trap Door’s debut EP, Lata Town, for free from Bandcamp now.
