The Blizzards will release the single 'And Another Thing...', inspired by The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, on October 9 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the book's first publication.
It's already been predicted that the boys from Mullingar are destined for great things this year. A gig at one of the city's hottest venues seems just the right place to celebrate.
With The Blizzards' second album less than a month away, the Mullingar band are gearing up for a new assault on the charts and live venues across the country.
The Blizzards are the latest Irish stars to be added to the line-up for Music Show, which takes place in the RDS on October 3 and 4, adding hugely to a bill that already includes The Coronas, Imelda May and Republic of Loose, among the current leading lights of Irish rock.
It’s approaching the Easter weekend, and there’s signs that Dublin’s about to be invaded, but this time the troops come from the west rather than the east, and in the form of an onslaught of Mullingar maidens whose weaponary includes heels, beers, and ear-piercing cheers.
Current HP cover stars The Blizzards, and Metallica – who featured on the front cover of our previous issue – are currently riding high in the top two chart positions.
It wasn't too long ago that The Blizzards were unknown outside of their native Mullingar. Now they've three top 10 Irish singles to their credit and an album, A Public Display Of Affection, that has the potential to explode internationally.
The Blizzards' rollercoaster shows no sign of losing momentum. This little number is destined to become one of the tracks of the (late) summer. The boys from Mullingar have taken Weezer’s power pop formula, added a dash of Scissor Sisters glam and a pinch of Queen bombast. The result? An instantly catchy tune that will keep their fans sated (just about) until their debut album arrives in the autumn.
It’s The Blizzards! But without the gigantic choruses! The monotonic nature of ‘On The Right Track’ never made it an obvious contender for a single, but it certainly shows a different side to them: they may excel in high-energy suckerpunches, but they know how to get all contemplative too. Fittingly, their B-side is the chuckle-worthy ‘It’s Easy To Write A Song In A Minor Key’, and as a non-album track it will draw in their in ever-growing legion of diehards.
Mullingar’s The Blizzards have struck upon an appealing FM-rock schtick, buoyed up by optimistic swirls of piano and a bouncy chorus that seems to clamber down from the stereo and deliver a great big slobber of a hug.
The millionth Irish signing by Universal in the past 12 months, Mullingar’s power pop wizards The Blizzards unleash their major label debut – and it’s a good ‘un.
The Blizzards, Director and Dirty Epics will take over Dublin’s Olympia on April 26 for the 2009 FM104 Help a Dublin Child gig in aid of Temple Street Children’s University Hospital.
The Blizzards' Niall Breslin goes out and about with Shilpa Ganatra, encourages us to give the sky the finger and hugs some mud-soaked fans along the way.
Musicians worth their salt will be glad to learn that the live show/exhibition Music Ireland is set to be bigger than ever, with the addition of new sponsors Waltons, some illustrious industry figures on the panel and Director and The Blizzards set to play it.
Despite their meteorological moniker, The Blizzards are no musical flakes. Ultimately, The Domino Effect should see plenty more fans falling at their feet.
Tonight RTÉ are giving you one more chance to see the special celebrity episode of the Raw Sessions, which features members of The Blizzards, Republic of Loose and more!
The Hot Press Singing Tent at Oxegen will host the likes of Paolo Nutini (pictured), Razorlight, The Virgins, Fun Lovin' Criminals, The Blizzards and more...
The Blizzards have been confirmed as the musical headliners on August 23 as Bundoran attempts to make it into the Guinness Book Of Records by staging the biggest surf lesson… ever!
This issue’s forecast... a cold front moving in from the west guarantees a storming night of top tunes from The Blizzards in Whelan’s on September 11. The Mullingar act have been the subject of much attention of late.
A remarkably confident and infectiously upbeat indie salvo, A Public Display Of Affection throws many familiar shapes but wins the listener over through its sheer, unyielding exuberance.
Mike Knightson and Limerick's Live 95FM celebrate their 2006 PPI Music Broadcaster Of The Year award by throwing a free, invite-only hooley in Dolan's Warehouse on December 9 - and YOU could be there!
It sounds like the opening line to an elaborate joke – heard the one about the Englishman, the Irishman and the multi-million selling, gag-stuffed science fiction saga? However, Eoin Colfer is perfectly serious about breathing new life into Douglas Adams’ Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy series. But what has that got to do with The Blizzards? Read on to find out
It’s time for the singer-songwriter fraternity to move over and make room for the new generation of Irish guitar bands. Director, Marshal Stars and The Blizzards are just three of the acts who feature on the debut compilation from Faction Records, the new label which aims to promote and nuture the brightest stars of the Irish underground.
Nope, it’s not a Jim Morrison tribute; it’s an initiative which sees musicians such as The Blizzards, Neosupervital, Julie Feeney, Roesy and Brian Palm design a special set of doors.
Not that we're complete stalkers or anything, but the Hot Press crack team did spend the majority of the Oxegen weekend camped outside the stars' dressing rooms waiting for video interviews with the hottest acts...
Formed when they were fresh-faced school kids, border country gloomsters Sanzkrit are at long last set to unleash their debut album. You could say they’re looking forward to finally getting stuck in.
A series of spooky coincidences led to the formation of Marble City guitar-slingers Saving J.. Having garnered a huge local following, they’re ready to make the step up to the next level.
Meteor has announced the arrival of the Meteor Music Store in Ireland, giving music fans the chance to download their favourite songs – anytime, anywhere.
They’re named after a saucy Playboy model – well, sort of. As their debut album hits the streets, irascible punk-popsters SUPERJIMINEZ discuss their unconventional moniker and tell us why, recession or not, they’re determined to bring their feel-good party music to the masses.
Kasabian have wrung no more than a handful of killer pop moments from a somewhat one-dimensional sound. But the enthusiastic crowd reaction at Hineken Green Energy has tempered my less than converted position just a little.
The second day of the Music Show brought together James Bond composer David Arnold, Enya producer Nicky Ryan, Christy Moore, Sharon Corr and... The Blizzards
What were the highlights of 2006? We asked the cream of Irish music - including Royseven, Director, The Blizzards, Lesley Roy and Neosupervital - to give us their lowdown!
The HP-7 Summit is back with Michelle Doherty, Rocky O'Reilly, Niall Breslin, Mark Greaney, Niamh Farrell, Messiah J and Danny O'Donoghue sat around the only table that matters this Christmas.
Le Cheile have revealed the previsionary line-up for this year's August festival, which will feature appearances from the likes of Cathy Davey, Republic Of Loose and Damien Dempsey.
Kilkee beach in County Clare will play host to the inaugral Cois Fharraige surf and music festival this September, which features the likes of Fun Lovin' Criminals and Ocean Colour Scene.
Now in its sixth year, Hot Press is pleased to announce the latest nationwide search for Irish artists to have a music video directed and produced by film students from the illustrious Tisch School of the Arts, New York University.
A host of Irish musicians have recorded a version of The Horslips’ classic ‘Trouble With a Capital T’ for a special celebrity episode of the Raw Sessions with Sony Ericsson.
We can now reveal the band who will take to the Live stage at The Music Show this weekend as winners of the Hot Press/Sennheiser competition. Drum roll please...!
Dublin’s music station FM104 have announced that The Coronas and Ruth-Anne have been added to the bill for their Help a Dublin Child ‘The Gig’ this April.
The doors painted by Roesy (pictured), The Immediate, Julie Feeney, The Blizzards and others - last seen at Music Ireland 06 - are to be auctioned off for various charities.
Aslan were the unexpected winners of the night at the Meteor Ireland Music awards, beating off competition from the likes of Ash, Delorentos and the Flaws to take the title of Best Irish Band.
Louis Walsh is one of the star signings as Bubble Hits today rolls out its dedicated Irish service, which will be available to digital viewers throughout the country.
Hot Press has some brilliant opportunities for Irish bands and solo acts. Read on to see how you can get a music video, CD release, studio time and a top gig...
The official opening of The Music Show will take place in Trinity College, with an interview with Island records founder Chris Blackwell conducted by our very own Stuart Clark.
Having given the likes of The Blizzards, Editors and Sam Fogarino of Interpol writer’s cramp last year, we’re delighted to announce the return of the HP Signing Tent at Oxegen!
Director whose debut album We Thrive On Big Cities recently got to number two in the Irish charts, are emblematic of the extraordinary evolution of the indigenous music industry in recent years.
For the weekend of November 25 and 26, all musical roads will lead to the RDS in Dublin for the Music Ireland ’06 event. Jackie Hayden talks to the show director Ollie Upton about what’s in store for us at this major annual attraction for musician and music fans alike.
Running an independent label is challenging enough, but how do you operate in a town where you can count the bands and the venues on one hand? Robbie McManus tells Hot Press what motivated Athlone-based Kissmearse Records to take fledgeling local bands under their wing.
The Stables in Mullingar has become an essential stopover on the Irish rock touring circuit. Here, the venue's booking man, David McLynn tells Jackie Hayden about the current state of rock in the Midlands.
“Goth groove” hopefuls Angel Pier are only a year in existence but already they’ve wooed audiences from Galway to New York. Might they be Ireland’s next break-out success?
Annual article: Bright young things like Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen captured the HP critics’ hearts this year, though they somehow neglected Johnny Cash and Mark Lanegan...
Barely out of school, Dublin sister duo Heathers are already turning heads with their melodic punk-pop. They talk about what it's like being one of the country's buzzing newcomers.
Defeat to New Zealand Maori has plunged the Lions into crisis. With the crunch first test against the All Blacks looming, can Brian O'Driscoll and his troops recover in time? Written by Niall Breslin from The Blizzards (and formerly a pro with Leinster).
Cormac Battle has escaped the clutches of Dublin’s vilest landlords, and now spends his days watching 24-hour news channels and enjoying his luxury mattress. He can explain the Sandy Thom CD, really.
Never mind the Champions League, if it’s fierce competition you’re after look no further than the National Student Music Awards. Doing his third level best to pick the winner: Neil Brennan.
Hot Press can exclusively reveal the bill that accompanies the Red Bull X-Fighter Freestyle Motocrosss bash at Slane Castle - the headliner of which is Ash.
He began working in music as a drummer, but Dave Pennefather's greatest success has been as MD of Universal Music. Hot Press looks back over the life and times of a man with a larger than life reputation.
Flying winger Denis Hickie is one of Ireland and Leinster's leading stars. But when he takes off his boots, it's music he turns to for inspiration – from Nick Drake, through Mark Lanegan and Hem to Athlete (but of course!). Interview by Steve Cummins. Photography by Cathal Dawson
Never mind pressies and OD’ing on cranberry sauce, the important thing about Christmas is that it signals the return of the HP-10 Summit. Absolutely no blushes are spared as Ireland’s rock ‘n’ roll elite dissects the musical year that was 2006. Keeping order: Stuart “Paxman” Clark. Taking photos: Graham “Paparazzi” Keogh. Taking the piss: Eyebrowy
Never mind pressies and OD’ing on cranberry sauce, the important thing about Christmas is that it signals the return of the HP-10 Summit. Absolutely no blushes are spared as Ireland’s rock ‘n’ roll elite dissects the musical year that was 2006. Keeping order: Stuart “Paxman” Clark. Taking photos: Graham “Paparazzi” Keogh. Taking the piss: Eyebrowy.
She can't sit still. She has the attention span of a senile goldfish. And she has got some very strange personal habits. But Bjork is still one of the brightest and most compelling pop stars the nineties has produced thus far. LIAM FAY travels to darkest Blackpool for a close and often strange encounter with the Icelandic imp herself.
They’ve been heralded as the biggest thing in Irish rock since U2 – a prediction that proved prescient when The Script romped to the top of the charts with their debut album.
Never mind the naysayers, Dublin 2006 is spilling over with white hot talent. Steve Cummins and Shilpa Ganatra run the rule over the capital's new breed.
Kenny Egan brought back a silver medal for Ireland from the Olympic Games – but almost everyone agrees it should have been gold. A national sporting hero, he tells Hot Press of his plans for the future...
He was a midwife to grunge and has worked with artists as diverse as Marilyn Manson, Hole and Ozzy Osbourne. Far from being a studio boffin, though, Michael Beinhorn believes modern music is too often reliant on technology.
Stunning is only the start of it. To come back from a showcase having seen one great new band is an achievement. To see three is staggering. From the off it seemed destined to be a special night.
The all-day extravaganza that's taking place at Marlay Park on 22 August may have Kaiser Chiefs headlining, but the supporting bill alone is worth the ticket price.
We talk to a selection of the bands playing this year's festival to see how they're going to handle the Punchestown crowd and what they're up to more generally.
As of today, we at hotpress.com will be bringing you the full story from Oxegen 2008, including interviews with some of the biggest hits of the weekend.
What a weekend for festivals, what with Le Cheile, Mitchelstown, Hi:Fi and Castlepalooza having taken place this bank holiday weekend. But don't rest your weary head down just yet, for the latter festival has already started on Castlepalooza 2007.
Not to be outdone by FM104’s Bestest Bits, Ray D’Arcy has released a collection of the “groove-tastic” covers that have graced his Today FM morning show over the past year.
Dundalk's Spirit Store will celebrate 10 years of world class gigs with a special evening of music on Thursday, October 29 featuring some of the acts who have graced its stage over the past decade.
Music fans are now spoilt for choice with today's announcement that the mobile network 3 has now over 1 million tracks available for download from their online mobile music store.
It may be wet outside and April doesn't bode any better but there's news to brighten your mood: the former recipients of the Hot Press single of the fortnight nod are playing a few dates round our way.
Didn't get a ticket for this year's sold-out Oxegen festival? Thought all hope was lost? Well dry those tears, music fans, cause hotpress.com are here to brighten your day!
Kasabian are the first headline act to be confirmed for this year’s Heineken Green Energy festival, which takes place from May 5 to 7 in Dublin Castle.
Hot Press is pleased to announce a nationwide search for Irish artists to have a music video directed and produced by film students from the Tisch School of Arts, NYU.
There's a veritable treasure chest of musical swag up for grabs in the RTE/People In Need Telethon auctions on eBay.ie right now - and it's all for a good cause!
It may be just day one, but we've already collected a heck of a lot of autographs from the likes of Republic of Loose, The Coronas, Therapy?, Spinnerette and more!
We can now reveal the band who will take to the Live stage at The Music Show this weekend as winners of the Hot Press competition. Drum roll please...!
As predicted, Snow Patrol emerged the big winners at the Meteor Music Awards, which took place at The Point in Dublin last night. Click for photos from the night
The Script and Sharon Shannon were just two of the big acts honoured at last night's Meteor Awards, where Hot Press editor Niall Stokes also picked up an award...
Amanda Byram was today unveiled as the host of this year’s Meteors Awards and nominees for 2009 were revealed - as well as the fact that Sharon Shannon would receive a lifetime achievement award.
As the country’s largest music festival, Oxegen is a crucial shop window for Irish acts. From main-stage headliners Snow Patrol through new kids on the block The Script. Here are some of our favourite Irish picks.
That the Irish music industry is in its healthiest state for a while is, by now, a given and it’s probably time to stop congratulating ourselves and start figuring out where it goes next. The answer, at least according to new label Faction, is to start thinking bigger than the DIY own-label approach that has dominated of late.
The Aftermath are the first rock band from Longford ever to hit the charts. But right now, they live in Mullingar, the new happening epicentre of rock’n’roll.
David Kitt [pictured right], The Frank And Walters, The Walls and Royseven are among the artists who have been selected to have their videos made, in a special programme run by New York University, in association with Hot Press. Royseven's recently released debut album, The Art Of Insincerity, entered the Irish album charts at No.17 this week.
Live music industry stalwart Vince Power and classical guitar guru John Feeley are the latest additions to The Music Show, set for October 4-5 in Dublin's RDS.
It’s shaping up to be the mother of all battles of the bands as Dublin heroes Bravado square up against Waterford’s Gorbachov in the Murphy’s Live 2008 final in The Savoy, Cork on May 15.
They are the basis for some of the most iconic images in rock. Now, for two days they will be on exhibition at the RDS in Dublin, as part of The Music Show.
The Music Show was a huge success, with people from all aspects of the music industry coming together to participate in an event which, as well as showcasing all the latest instruments and equipment, was rich in ideas, information and, above all, great music
In the first installment of Hot Press' Oxegen coverage, Phil Udell, Steve Cummins and John Walshe pick out their personal favourites of the weekend. This Thursday's Hot Press will feature extended coverage from Kim Porcelli & Ed Power as well as more exclusive photos from Liam Sweeney, Graham Keogh & Andrew Duffy - PLUS the Phantom reports from backstage!
Online Gallery Of Live Shots Here
Rock fans are in for a special treat with the addition of a special Rory Gallagher Exhibition to the attractions at the Music Show, which takes place at the RDS on October 3 and 4.
There is a huge wealth of music talent in Ireland today. In this economic meltdown, the government should help the industry live up to its potential through the introduction of initiatives that would make Ireland a better environment for musicians.
The college circuit has always been a lucrative one for touring acts, and a fine opportunity for students to check out the best in show, at a reasonable price.
Check out all the action from the Live stage at The Music Show which saw amazing sets from The Blizzards, The Coronas, Imelda May & Republic Of Loose and loads more!
The line-up for this year’s Murphy’s Live extravaganza has just been unveiled and, as predicted in our last issue, it’s a cracker!
Supported throughout by hotpress, the headline acts and ports of call are The Blizzards @ Cork (January 18); The Marshals @ Whelan’s, Dublin (25); Delorentos @ The Granary, Killarney (February 1); Dae Kim @ Geoff’s, Waterford (8); Vesta Varo @ Dolan’s, Limerick (15); and Hybrasil @ Whelan’s, Dublin (22).
Of course, there's a competitive element to the trek, with two unsigned acts being selected each night to play support. Four go through to the Cork and Dublin semi-finals in March 2007, and then the top 2 slug it out on May 10 for a prize fund of €10,000. This includes studio time, a six month management contract and the release and national distribution of an EP courtesy of FIFA Records. Last years winners were Lotus Lullaby, pictured right.
Learn from the best with a wide range of workshops and master classes from some of Ireland's finest musicians, and some others from further afield. The workshops on offer this year include 'How To Get A Kick-Ass Recording' by the Bodytonic Crew, and master classes in drumming by Bobby Arechiga (in association with Meinl Cymbals), as well as much, much more...
Shooting a fancy pop promo is harder work than you might think, as hotpress discovers when we join hotly tipped newcomers Director on a sound-stage at the home of the Irish movie industry, Ardmore Studios.
Some of the country's leading music industry figures joined thousands of people for the Music Show, a two-day celebration of all that's good about the recording arts in Ireland.
From U2 to The Frames and Sinead O’Connor to Damien Rice, music has helped put this country on the map. So why is the government so slow to back the music industry?
Think you've got them all right? Or maybe you fancy a sneaky peak (you're only cheating yourself you know!). Either way, you've got the questions – we've got the answers....
All Write Now, we said. And boy did you follow instructions! The entries poured in from all over Ireland, and further afield, in their thousands. We were snowed under – but, as the song says: That’s the way, uh huh, uh huh, we like it…
