Taking its name from a Stereolab EP, Ping Pong opened its doors in Cork some 18 months ago with a Salvatore gig – and no small amount of curiosity as to whether enough punters would pass through to ensure a second show. The organisers need not have worried. Cork was waiting for this sort of night: a showcase of new, diverse Irish and international live acts accompanied by late night DJ sets incorporating cool tunes – all under the loose umbrella of ‘good music’.

Pioneered by three Cork-based Limerick music lovers, Ping Pong has since become a mainstay of the local music scene, attracting many touring bands that once would have stopped off in Ireland only for a quick one-nighter in Dublin.
The club has forged some close bonds with similar set-ups in the capital (Maximum Joy) and in the UK, ensuring the variety of live acts coming their way – thus keeping a loyal fan base flocking in on Saturday nights. To date, international names such as Crystal Castles, Kinski, Dan Deacon, Fuck Buttons and Kling Klang have joined the likes of Ireland’s Rarely Seen Above Ground, Hooray For Humans, Cars In Walls, Twinkranes and Rest on Ping Pong’s bills to lay down something of a marker for a quality live music club in Cork.
In fact, things have been getting so busy for the trio that they have now launched a second night, Manbodywomanhead, to provide an outlet for Ping Pong’s overflow.
“These shows generally take place during the week, as we wanted to keep Ping Pong synonymous with Saturday night,” says one of the head honchos, Niall Heffernan. “So we finally got to use the name Manbodywomanhead.”
The gigs have thus far mainly taken place in one of Cork’s impressive new live music venues, The Whisky on Union Quay, and included DJ Scotch Egg and Crevecouer.
Ping Pong are also set to provide one of the highlights of this year’s Cork Midsummer Festival when they host German noise mongers Faust in the Spiegeltent on June 21. Something of a coup for the club, the Spiegeltent should be the perfect backdrop for what will be a rare chance to catch one of the pioneering bands of experimental rock.
“Two of them are driving over from Germany in a van carrying cement mixers and angle grinders,” Niall resumes. “We were lucky to get them, they haven’t done that many gigs over the last few years and one of the support acts, Amoebazoid, features Irene Buckley – for my money one of the most talented musicians to come out of Cork in ages.”

Upcoming Ping Pong gigs include Videohippos and Dalek. Find out more at www.myspace.com/pingpongcork. Also, don’t forget to have a look at www.myspace.com/manbodywomanhead