new year… and with it come new releases, new gig-nights and new tour schedules. 2006 was an amazing year on the domestic circuit and 2007 is looking even better. One band with a bright future, regardless of the title of their upcoming release, is Cork’s Rest. Operation: Impending Doom is the new mini-album out on January 19. This follow-up to the debut Burning In Water, Drowning In Flame marks a shift in tone from previous releases but will not disappoint. Catch them live in the Róisín Dubh, Galway on January 25, Cyprus Avenue, Cork on January 26, Dolan’s, Limerick on February 1 and Crawdaddy, Dublin on February 2. More tour dates may be added so keep checking hotpress.com.
Also on the road later in the month are Mayo’s Whitewater. The new single ‘Stay’ hits the streets on January 26. This is the follow-up to last summer’s top 20 hit ‘Original’. This time around the band procured the services of Chris O’Brien and Graham Murphy of The Production Suit to oversee recording and production. Check hotpress.com for tour details.
In other single news, Offaly’s Dave’s Radio release their new offering ‘Kids’ on February 2 on DP Records. The track is taken from the as-yet untitled new album due for release in April and mastered by Steve Osbourne.
On a darker note Ulster goth rockers Solemn Novena’s debut five-song EP As Darkness Falls was released at the pre-Christmas show at Necrodanse in Lavery’s Bunker and is available on their myspace. The gig showcased the talents of new male vocalist Megatron and according to the band he went down a storm.
North Dublin metal outfit Anything But Alpha Mortals (Abam) have also just released a five-track CD on their own label, Shoryuken Records. Super Megatone Bric, a wonderful melange of metal and grunge, is available through their myspace and in Road Records. The band consists of Kev Curran and brothers Conor and Neil Adams. All three members have been in various Dublin bands before including September Sun and Eyes Closed. The CD features ‘Super Intended’. ‘Big Apple 3am’, ‘Red Shell’ ‘Mega Do Ken’ and ‘Mushroom Flower Feather Star’.
Good news for gig-goers in Dublin is that a new monthly live event with the interesting title Hot, Quick And Tight kicks off in the Temple Bar Music Centre on January 12.
Entertainment on the opening night comes from dirty sleazemongers Stagger Lee, buzz band du jour Story Of Hair and, fresh from a performance at London’s premiere garage night The Dirty Water, The Revellions.
More dates for your diary are February 2, when the legendary Harvest Ministers play Bewleys Theatre in advance of their hotly anticipated fifth album (due later in the year, will keep you updated) and January 12, when Leinster’s oddest three-piece play The Sugar Club with their friend Dayo.