The reds' flag flies

What a literate lot you musos are ! Culling their moniker from a central location in John Steinback’s epic novel In Dubious Battle, Torgas Valley Reds are making quite a name for themselves. So much so that most Internet searches for the title make reference to the band and precious few to the classic 1936 tome.
The Belfast outfit head out on the road in March and April, playing a series of dates in Ireland and Scotland in the lead up to the release of the 7” single on HOWL records. The double A-side features live favourite ‘Torgas Valley Blue’ and ‘Me And My Buddies Would Vote For You’ on virginal white vinyl…
They also feature in the first New Band Expo which runs from Thursday 25th to Sunday March 28, 2004 in the Nerve Centre. The event will showcase the best new talent in the country, providing an opportunity for record companies, musos and punters to savour the delights of some indigenous fare. Other bands playing over the weekend include Fair Verona, Red Organ Serpent Sound, Element, Redtwelve, and Halite. Check Hotpress.com for details…
Sticking with the Northern theme, the new album from Adrian Crowley, A Northern Country, will be available in May. It will be released in Ireland on Catchygogo records… Adrian is heading to the UK in April for a tour with Charlie Parr… Look out too for a compilation this summer on Misplaced Music as a fundraiser for two local animal welfare charities. In addition to Adrian, Hood, Empress, Charlie Parr and Dakota Suite have all committed to the project...
The much-in-demand Mr Crowley has also been invited to appear on a Will Oldham tribute album with a version of the song ‘West Palm Beach’. The record is entitled I Am A Cold Rock, I Am Dull Grass and will also feature Calexico ,Scout Niblett, Sodastream and others. The song was recorded at home in Dublin using a four-track recorder, a piano and a guitar. It will be released on March 30 on Tract Records…
Blink are set to take a giant leap back into the gigging world. The first single from the band’s third album is due in late spring and the new album Deep Inside The Sound Of Sadness will follow closely on its heels in summer. Both of Blink’s earlier albums are also set for re-release at the same time as the single…
Other new releases: Tipperary’s My Name Is Clark will offer up the new single ‘She Knows’ on March 29 for your listening pleasure. The guys will bring out the CD on their own Rich and Famous Records…
Wexford’s Sonic Vista have been travelling back and forth to London to finish their debut album…
On the subject of travel, making a maiden voyage on March 27 will be The Strange Brew Road Trip in Galway featuring the NPB, Life After Modelling, My Brother Woody, Beretta and Fuktifino. Tickets are €13 and this includes a free bus to the mysterious venue and back. Bus leaves the Cathedral in Galway at 6pm. Tickets available from Redlight Records in Shop St. Galway, or by emailing [email protected]…
In other live news, Upstairs In Dolan’s – the imaginatively titled new venue in Dolans – will be hosting the forthcoming AMC weekender which will brings lots of great acts to the venue, the highlight of which will be a music seminar on the 10th including guest speakers from Woodstar, The Cranberries (tbc) and Mike Sound from Dolans. All info is available on www.theamc.net…
If you’re in the Cork area, watch out for new band-of-the-moment The Berries – a fruity cocktail of powerful vocals, soaring harmonies, pumping drums and bass and edgy multi-skilled guitar work – very tasty indeed!