Synth you've been gone

The clue to The 202s’ sound is in their title (named after the analogue synthesizer the Roland MC202). The band, who’ve been causing quite a stir, launched their self-titled longplayer at a blistering gig in Whelan’s recently. If you haven’t checked them out yet, by their own admission their sound lies somewhere between Crazy Horse and Kraftwerk via The Fall. Curious? You should be!
The core duo of Mike Glennon and Steve Melling have been involved in various musical projects together over the years, most recently ,b>Long Lost Brother. Together they’ve shared the stage with the likes of John Cale and Hugh Cornwell amongst others. In November 2008 they signed with Parisian indie label Le Son Du Maquis, also home to A Certain Ratio and The Woodentops. The four tracks on www.myspace.com/the202s demonstrate why they’re a band to keep an eye on...
Another album launch of note took place in Crawdaddy where Emmet Scanlan & What The Good Thought were celebrating the arrival of Hands. The Galway-based outfit, whose members hail from Ireland, Scotland, Sweden and Italy combine vocals, cello, percussion, guitars and bass to create their trademark gypsy orchestra bluster...
Staying in the west, the Shannon-based Kyon, a.k.a. Shane Talty, has just unveiled debut album Read Between The Lies. Over the past 10 years he’s been involved in various bands and musical projects and played alongside the likes of Giveamanakick, Rest, Berkley, Turn, The Revs, Mark O’Connor and Windings. Drawing his influence from post-rock and electronica Shane blends drum machines, samplers, synth, bass and various guitars. See www.myspace.com/kyonmusic for details of his nationwide dates...
The long-players just keep on coming... The Laundry Shop release their Grandstanding debut on March 27 with a taster available in the form of double A-side single ‘The Daily Special’ and ‘Highs And Lows’. The album was engineered by Marc Carolan and mastered by Ted Jensen (Metallica, Greenday, Slipknot). This fine confection is available on their own label Medicine Ball Records...
Cork’s Jodavino have returned from working on their second album in Nashville with John Hiatt and Lisa Germano man Jay Joyce. More news in our next issue...
Portlaoise’s The Perfect Skins launch A Reconstructed View (Matchbox Recordings) in Whelan’s on March 26. The 12-tracker was recorded in their own Golden Egg Studios and produced by lead singer Brian O’Mahoney. Mastering was taken care of in Abbey Road Studios, London by Geoff Pesche who’s worked with Coldplay, Gorillaz, Pulp and Kylie...
Good news for 8Ball fans... the band are back with a new album, With All Your Friends, in April. ‘Dig It’, the lead single, hits the airwaves very soon and you can catch the band live later this month...
Your Arch Enemies’ second single ‘Renegades’ is available for iTunes download. This follows hot on the heels of their debut top 40 offering ‘Step Up’. Check out the accompanying Mark Scully-directed video at www.myspace.com/yourarchenemies.
Finally, some gig news... The Dublin live scene gets a shot in the arm on March 13 with the launch of the Mix Tape night in Radio City. The impressive bill features The Hot Sprockets, The Revellions, Fifteen Minutes and Phantom 105.2 FM’s Sinéad Ni Mhordha who’ll be pumping out the indie anthems until late. A perfect combo!