Such dark thoughts preoccupy the minds of our musician folk….monsters, ugliness, destruction and other upbeat themes are all found in an upcoming batch of releases from the domestic front. The Rags have just brought out an EP, ‘Monsters & I’, which features four excellent new tracks. The offering was recorded over a six-month period in three different locations and follows on from last year’s Hot Press Single Of The Fortnight ‘Me & the Moon’.
Next up is the charmingly-titled Bastard Ugly Everything from Dublin’s The Steam Pig. This is their fourth long-player and you can catch their patented display of pure aural filth live at the launch in The Voodoo Lounge on March 12.
You will have to wait slightly longer for the new album from Cork’s
Rulers Of The Planet, titled In 30 Minutes We Destroy The Earth. The Sofa Records CD has been given a provisional release date of the first week in May – worth the wait I’m sure.
Fellow Corkonian Anna McCarthy notched up second place in the NUI Galway Witless Band Challenge 2005 recently. The singer-songwriter who supported Ocean Colour Scene here last year is making quite a name for herself. Galway natives A Band Called Wanda scooped the first prize.
In other western news, it seems that Albert Niland has been making waves in the UK. Albert is starting to get airplay on Jools Holland’s radio show. The presenter of Later With… played ‘Underground’ from the album Dirty Day on his show recently. Having just returned from San Francisco with a batch of new songs, expect some live dates soon.
And in ‘Ones to Watch’ news…..keep your peepers on Limerick-native Galway-based singer-songwriter Emmet Scanlan who is currently in the process of recording his debut EP. Scanlan played a packed secret gig at Naughtons Bar (reputedly Tom Waits favourite bar in the world) on St Valentine’s Night. More on Scanlan in the coming months.
Another Galway resident Roger Martin (aka Stone Orr) has just completed his debut EP also. The Louth man will play a series of dates to promote the release.
Power punk band 35 degrees recently played support to the reformed Thin Lizzy band in Galway and Castlebar.
On a Galway-related note, Jape’s The Monkeys In The Zoo Have More Fun Than Me, has been named the Roisin Dubh Album Of The Year 2004. Congratulations to Richie and co who play the Roisin on April 8, a presentation is on the cards.
Dublin’s Overleaf (formerly track four) have just recorded a demo in Cauldron Studios with the help of Keith Ferrell and Graham Hopkins. Live dates to be announced soon – will keep you posted.
On the live front, Gigsmart have started a free acoustic night every second Thursday in The Lounge Room on Cathal Brugha Street, Dublin (previously The Sidewalk). The first night will be held on March 10 and the impressive bill includes, The Beautiful Losers, Una Keane, Ciara Allen and Sanfran.
Just across the Liffey in McTurcaill’s backroom Belfast singer/guitarist Dan Bardon has set up a weekly night of original acoustic and electronic music on Sundays. If you are interested in taking part you can contact Dan on 087 4115480.
Another exciting live project in its infancy is the Easy Me nationwide initiative. The organisers aim to run as many shows around the country as possible with the intention of raising the profile of domestic acts. The launch event is in the process of negotiation but in the meantime check out www.easy-me.tk for more information.b

For live updates tune into The Last Splash, Sunday nights 9-11, with Alison Curtis on Today FM
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