Lyrics, book titles and historical figures have all inspired that oh-so-difficult decision, the band name. Not many have looked to the world of children’s television, but now we have Cowboy X, named after an obscure Sesame Street character. The moniker has perhaps a little more street cred than better-known cast members such as Big Bird, Kermit and Mr. Snuffleupagus - or perhaps the trio were just displaying their extensive knowledge of the classic show.
Comprising John Hanley, David Grealy and lead singer Karen McCarthy, the trio was formed from a mutual love of The Pixies, Tori Amos and Kraftwerk. The debut album Who Are These People, released June 30, follows two well-received singles ‘Gabbi’ and ‘Between The Hit And The Miss’. Their MySpace page has registered a large number of hits and ‘Gabbi’ has notched up close to 30,000 listens.
Also enjoying success of late are Dubliners Skinful whose single ‘Finding Myself’ had a very respectable chart entry at 26. The album Reality TV is now available from Tower, Virgin, HMV in Grafton Street, Road Records, Roxy, Zhivago and www.cdbaby.com.
Fellow dubs Reemo have been named on the standby list for the Nemo Festival in Boston later this year. Fingers crossed. The band will support Kilterr on July 1 in Cypress Avenue. The Corkonians have a new photo gallery up on their website www.kilterr.com/gallery.html and have been very busy lately writing new material.
Other People’s Republic bands on the live circuit are Exit: Pursued By A Bear and Tone Control who play Club Head Bang Bang in The Greyhound, Tralee, on July 6. This is the last club of the summer so it’s sure to go out with a bang (bang).
Some news from the Veneer camp: the Limerick boys will be back on the road this summer integrating new band members before they head into the studio to lay down some tracks. Catch them live at Pravda, Dublin (supporting Koesher) on July 6, Eamon Dorans on July 12, the Roisin Dubh, Galway on July 13 and The Boat Club, Limerick on July 15.
Also gigging for it over the summer are Blue Ghost whose EP has been a huge success with national airplay and positive reviews-a-plenty. The national shows precede a trip cross to the UK for a slew of dates in September. Check hotpress.com for details.
Festival news dept: it’s all good for domestic acts as Oxegen announcements continue. Delorentos have just been confirmed to play the Green Room stage on July 9 and Humanzi will also play on that day (stage tbc). Other live duties for Delorentos include a stint as Special Guests to Bell X1 at their Big Top show as part of the Galway Arts Festival on July 22. Meanwhile Humanzi play T In The Park on July 8.
Northerners Numinous have just released their Words And Wingshapes EP and celebrated this with a packed launch recently in the Spring and Airbrake. According to the band the new release is a true reflection of where they’re at musically. Recorded with producer and engineer Matt Hyde (Funeral for a Friend and Fightstar) Words And Wingshapes is available to buy or download at www.numinous.cd.