Faction Records launches new Irish sampler

In what could prove to be something of a landmark release, The Marshal Stars, Director, The Immediate, Angels Of Mons, Red Organ Serpent Sound and Republic Of Loose are all contributing a track apiece to an Irish rock sampler.

Hitting the racks in early June, Faction 001 takes its name from the Dublin-based label that’s been set up by former Independiente and Polydor UK A&R man Ken Allen.

“We wanted to reflect the fact that the Irish band scene’s healthier now than it has been for years,” the Faction Records boss enthuses. “Along with the industry people who are already ringing up about it, it’s a collectors’ item for fans who’ll be able to say in a few years, ‘I’ve got the first album they were on!'"

Despite his enthusiasm for what’s happening at the moment, Allen is reluctant to describe it as “a scene.”

“The only thing the artists have in common – apart from being brilliant! – is that they happen to be around at the same time,” Allen concludes.

To coincide with the launch, Faction are planning a five-week series of gigs in a city-centre Dublin venue, and then taking a selection of the featured acts out on a nationwide tour. Faction Records Online will be going live soon with the details.