Decide for yourself if a rose by any other name smells (or should that be sounds?) as sweet when the first release from Risc Records (formerly Compactrisc Records) is released on February 11. The CD compilation, entitled Red Bridge, includes tracks from Agitated Radio Pilot, Amoebazoid, Betamax Format, Bird on Wire & Dave Nuremberg, E+S=B, FancyGoods, Herv, Lakker, The Last Sound, Maersk, Medea, Miriam Ingram, Northstation, Piratio, Rollers/Sparkers, Thread Pulls and Tremors. Definitely worth getting your mitts on…
...Featured act Thread Pulls have just released some new material. These tracks will be MP3 releases available exclusively from www.9-pt.com…
….More Dublin news….Following an extended period of writing, The Omegamen are ready to unleash the fruits of their labour. Formed from the ashes of Tribe of Ben early last year, this four-piece are due to head into the studio soon to record a three-track EP, following on from demos done with Gavin Ralston in Silverwood Studios. The band are currently on the look out for a keyboard player, so, if samples, great tunes and layering sounds are your thing and you think you’ve got what it takes, drop a line to [email protected]…
...Also gearing up for a spate of Spring recording are Tallaght’s The Brand. The band has yet to name their producer of choice but I am told that many reputable individuals have expressed an interest in working with the group. The album is due out in June with a single release in the pipeline for May – will keep you posted...
…Currently busy in the studio are Ellison 9. Following on from the success of their ‘Go Down’ EP Derrick and co are hard at work on their debut album at Asylum Studios, Dublin. Jimmy Eadie, who has previously worked with Jape and The Radio, is at the production helm. The band is also recording a song for an upcoming compilation, which is due out in the next few months – stay tuned for further details…
…Good news for musicians in the North… Earthmusic Digital Recording and Rehearsal Studio are now taking bookings for a new practice facility. The room comes with drums, backline amps and full PA. The studio is ticked away in an easy-to-reach rural location just 20 minutes from Belfast, three miles past Carryduff and six miles from Lisburn. For further information contact Vic on 92 638 483 or email [email protected]…
Up-and-coming Galway band A Band Called Wanda play their first headline show at Taibhdhearc na Gaillimhe on Saturday February 27. As winners of the inaugural Gaf Youth Caf singer-songwriter competition in the Town Hall Theatre last year they impressed many with their brand of Americana. Main influences include The Band, Bob Dylan and former Galway residents The Waterboys. More recently they have been championed by Cork singer-songwriter Ger Wolfe and have played support to him at Busker Browne’s, The Lobby and Roisin Dubh. A Band Called Wanda will be releasing their debut EP later this year.
On the subject of Cork… Stanley Super 800, who are currently touring on the continent,have recorded a new EP for imminent release. Following a series of sell-out gigs the band have just announced three new dates in February in Clonakilty, Waterford and Dublin. Check hotpress.com for details…
…And while you’re online why not visit the new web 0home of the Limerick wonderlabel Out On A Limb at www.outonalimbrecords.com. The site now has an online shop where you can buy cds – other merchandise will be added shortly.

For live updates tune into The Last Splash, Sunday nights 9-11, with Alison Curtis on Today FM
(email: [email protected])