The link between the beat poets and rock music has always been apparent….Patti Smith played her first gigs with Lenny Kaye as ‘Rock ‘N’ Roll Rimbaud Readings’, Richard Hell borrowed beat poet Rod McKuen’s ‘Beat Generation’ to write the punk staple ‘Blank Generation’, and Laurence Ferlinghetti and Michael McClure read at The Band’s seminal Last Waltz.
Fast forward to the present day and a troupe of plucky young Dublin rockers trading as The Beat Poets are evidence of the enduring influence of Ginsberg et al.
The band was recently honoured by XFM London, when they were chosen as the station's Unsigned Artist Of The Week.
In addition, two of their tracks, ‘Staring Stars Down’ and ‘Bloodline’, have been licensed for use on two new sports shows which will be shown on Channel 4 this autumn. With more gig offers flooding in from the UK, they are definitely on an upward trajectory….
Also on the rise are the much-loved sons of the City Of The Tribes, Lucas. Their debut album Pieced From Faded Memory will be launched in the Roisin Dubh, Galway on August 28.
The CD will be available at the gig for a reduced price. Tickets are available from The Roisin Dubh (091-586540), RedLight Records (091-533888) and Mulligan Records (091 564961).
In other Lucas-related news, Alan has started DJing and has a couple of residencies already. He DJs as part of a duo with long-time friend Ted on Fridays at Stir Fry in Cuba, Saturdays at MASH in Cuba and every second Wednesday at Arcade in The Blue Note……
Another debut LP, Stay, is on the way from Triphazard, who have arranged a launch night on October 22 in the Hub, Dublin.
The band have recently undergone a line-up change, replacing their female backing singer with new guitarist Paul Maguire, resulting in an edgier sound……..
Fans of The Bleedin’ Bleedins (the Boston-based outfit led by Dublin man Barry Kelly) will be pleased to hear that the band is returning to Ireland for some live dates, including a pitstop at the Hard Working Class Heroes festival on August 27 at the Hub. The tour marks the start of promotional activities for the release of their debut album, Life Without Computers. The record will hit the shops in January – expect a radio single soon…
On the subject of the airwaves, the station selection of residents in the Dublin 8 area has recently been enriched by the birth of Liber8 FM. This is a community radio station run by locals. The station operates on Fridays and Saturdays from 8am till midnight on 107.3 FM…..
Belfast-based Musicbest Records are now accepting submissions for possible inclusion on the first of a new series of compilations. Titled SONI (Songs of Northern Ireland), it will include the best possible collection of songs by local artists. It will tie in with the current Musicbest showcases in Belfast’s Duke of York venue (the next event will take place on Saturday, September 10). A launch night is scheduled for late October in a larger venue but details have not been finalised. Any bands/acts who think they are up to the challenge should send a maximum of three tracks to Musicbest Records, Apt 9 Glenmore Place, Lambeg Road, Lambeg, BT27 4QT – and will be informed if they are to be included within a few weeks. Check www.musicbest-records.com for more details.