Ace of Jades

June is just around the corner and with it come the elder statesmen of rock… Lou, Iggy, Leonard and Neil – each a legend in their own lifetime. They all started somewhere though…

Interestingly, the first band Shakey formed as a teenager in Fort Rouge, Ontario was called The Jades. So let’s begin this issue with news from the similarly-monikered troupe from Wexford…
The all-girl combo who first came to our attention on the RTÉ series You’re A Star have been very busy in the studio recently. They have been slaving away on their debut album with Dave Odlum at the production helm. Watch out for a taster in the form of single ‘Sooner Or Later’ which is out now on their own Rag Doll label. The band are managed by Claire Leadbitter who also looks after The Frames.
On a related note, Interference, with Anthony Mooney on drums, are currently supporting Glen and Marketa on their US tour. Anthony is also a member of West Cork’s Armoured Bear who release their single ‘Imagination’ on June 6. It’s taken from forthcoming album Honeycomb Moons. Check hotpress.com for upcoming tour dates….
Further west in Limerick, Sea Dog have released their debut album Wizards Of The Coast. This fine confection is on Leitrim’s independent label and book publisher Stitchy Press and available from Road Records, Spindizzy and City Discs in Dublin…
Meanwhile in The Pale, The Vinny Club (born out of Vinny from Adebisi Shank’s dangerous obsession with 8-bit video games and ‘80s action movies) release The Rocky IV Rekerd on May 31. This synth-pop confection follows 2007’s lauded Tech Noir EP. The album comes to you courtesy of The Richter Collective who will also be releasing Belfast instrumental trio, We Are Knives’ upcoming record.
Local legends The Harvest Ministers return to Whelan’s Upstairs to promote their new EP Love Will Call On You on June 12.
Also on the horizon is a special limited-edition CD to coincide with an exhibition by founder member Padraig McCaul, to be held in the autumn. Will keep you posted on that. Special guest on June 12 is The Small Parade, featuring the songwriting talents of Mark Byrne…
The Mighty Stef releases his Death Threats EP on May 23. The CD contains four ‘folk songs about modern Ireland’ and includes ‘The Mero’ recorded with Ronnie Drew, featuring contributions from Flogging Molly’s Dave King and Bridget Regan and the esteemed Pete Cummins. The collection also includes the title-track, ‘Where The Nightmares Begin’ and ‘Romantic Ireland Is Dead And Gone, It Lays With 2-Pac In The Grave’ (a song which started life as a piece of graffiti)...
Dublin artist Conor Furlong releases his debut album Eternal on May 30. Conor, whose influences include Bjork, Rufus and Beck describes his music as ‘dreamy pop’. Get your mitts on a copy and make up your own mind!
DC Tempest have just released their new single ‘Into The Light’. Over the past 18 months the band have supported Sack, Doris, The Chapters and The Kinetiks and played a good smattering of headline shows in The Button Factory, Whelan’s and Crawdaddy. The next year promises to be interesting!
For live updates tune into The Last Splash, Sunday nights 8-10, with Alison Curtis on Today FM 
(email: [email protected])