"Television, the drug of the nation, Feeding ignorance and breeding radiation,” rapped Michael Franti, on the seminal track from Disposable Heroes Of Hyphoprisy. With similar sentiment comes Renko’s debut long player, TV will kill us all. Following on from 2004’s ‘Heaven Is A Long Wait’ and ‘Hats Off To John Lee’ singles, the nine-track collection hits the streets on October 21.
To coincide with the album launch, the band release the ballad 'The Fate Of The Free World Depends On You' (James Dean Bradfield would be proud of that title) as a free mp3 download from the official band website, www.renkomusic.com.
On a similar note, Pay*ola’s debut album was recently launched at a packed show in the Empire Music Hall. Try Everything Twice is currently available through new UK rock label Tomcat Records, distributed by RSK. With four EPs and support slots to Audioslave, Status Quo, Embrace and Snow Patrol under their belt, these Belfast boys are ones to watch.
In other Northern news, Pablo ‘n’ Red’s album Waiting For Tuesday is now available throughout the country, through HMV stores. The band have been busy playing Belfast, Dublin, Galway over the last two months and are now planning a nationwide tour and some UK dates. To hear some of the tracks and a listing of up-and-coming gigs log on to: www.myspace.com/pablonreds.
Fellow Northerners The Answer recently scooped the Best New Band Award at the inaugural Classic Rock Awards in London, fending off competition from Trivium, Alterbridge, Hurricane Party and My Chemical Romance. The band release their new single, ‘Never Too Late’ on November 11, on the heels of their debut ‘Keep Believin’.
October and November sees the boys in the UK for the New School Of Rock Tour in advance of a slew of dates as special guests to Altarbridge. Watch out for the debut album due early next year.
Upcoming local bands will be pleased to know that Rock Oddity is now accepting demo submissions for any acts that would like to play the next outdoor music festival in Bangor. If interested email [email protected]. The festival is set to run on Saturday the July 15 2006.
In Dublin news, congratulations is due to Stoneocean who have been announced as support to The Dandy Warhols in the Olympia on October 22. Stoneocean were personally chosen when a CD landed in the right Dandy's hands! Keep ears alert for the radio single ‘My Heroine’ due soon.
Local boys Mitch are getting ready for the release of their album One Good Reason.
A few technical hitches have delayed the launch of the new website but www.mitchband.com should be up and running perfectly soon. The launch party is at MB Slattery’s, Rathmines, Dublin on Thursday October 20.
Dublin four-piece Delorentos are currently on the road in support of their debut EP, Leave It On, available now on Delorecords/Cottage. Check hotpress.com for tour news.
And finally fingers crossed for Trust Me I’m A Thief (home of Goodtime John, The Redneck Manifesto and Jape), which has been nominated for an Internet Entrepreneur award at this year’s Netvisionary Awards. You can vote at www.netvisionary.ie/vote2005.html
The label has already won the ‘Best Digital Music Service Online’ at the Digital Media Awards earlier this year. Best of luck!