Video: Kowalski new single Outdoors

Kowalski previewed their forthcoming single Outdoors on All Gone Pop TV. The single is the first new material proper to be released since the release of their stunning debut EP "Take Care, Take Flight".  Outdoors also sees Kowalski join forces with new UK based indie label Everybodystalking.  In the video Kowalski perform as a trio, minus the comedy stylings of Tom O'Hara on bass (bring back Tom). As you would expect the track is sun kissed with just a dash of sadness.

Video: Ham Sandwich - Models

Here is the video for Models the latest single from Ham Sandwich. It features footage of the band recorded live at The Academy in Dublin (always a good show) mixed with on the road footage. Undoubtedly its best moments feature the crowd being covered in ticker tape. As for the song, well that's not bad either.

Review: Red Brick House - EP

Following a successful appearance at this years Temple House Festival.  We thought it was about time we checked out Sligo quartet Red Brick House's self titled debut EP. 

It's a  four song collection of well crafted up-tempo indie tunes, with big guitars and big drums. While lead singer Patrick Leydon has a good voice, that moves from gravelly indie anger to pop with ease.

Opening track "In My Head" is full of choppy guitar riffs and a catchy chorus. Think Milburn. "Daydream" is a radio friendly song. Nada Surf via Sligo if you will. It is a strange yet potent combination  The vocal delivery has a hint of Duke Special to it. Some very hummable backing vocals by Les Finan (guitar) keeps this song returning to your mind time after time.

A hail of drums, cowbell and muted guitar stabs leads us nicely into "Not The One". A funky bass led relationship P45. Once again the song is delivered with panache. With special mention for the rhythm section of Peter Murray and Danny Young, who are the stares of the show on this track. 3 songs in and Red Brick Houses are shaping up to be a very accomplished and versatile band.

Propelled by big drum beats and grime filled choruses closing track "Broke The Law" is the pick of the bunch. A throbbing blues tinged track with hints of modern shoegazing acts such as Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, combined with classic 80's rock guitar stylings. This track has single written all over it.

The EP is available for download free of charge from Bandcamp. 
Check out http://redbrickhouse.ie/ for more info on the band.

Review: Satelite Generals live at Whelan's

There is a spark about Satellite Generals.  They subliminally project a musketeer vibe, an undefinable on stage togetherness that makes them a believable band.

They kick things off with a heavily accented Kings of Leon style drum beat on "Kings and Queen" which instantly displays the vocal prowess of lead singer Niall Rogers. It's unusual to see a band with 3 people playing drums at the same time. The bombastic fills of James Rogers are joined by synth player Eddy Edmondson on a mini percussion set-up. While bassist Jay Duff plays a floor-tom, adding texture to the song. Which is at its best in the chorus when Niall Rogers and Jay Duff combine lead vocals.

"Neck Ties" has a somber summer feel, with a guitar line you might expect to find on a Two Door or Kowalski song.  "Matador" is led by some more nifty bass riffs and a catchy "wahow oh" chorus. It's a quality radio friendly pop song, with single stamped all over it.    

Unfamiliar Roads is another radio friendly alt-pop song. Delivering elements of early Coldplay and White Lies.  Rodgers vocals are reminiscent of lather day Jesse Lacey. Once again Satellite Generals have managed to weave the backing vocals in and out to great effect. They finish off  their set with a cover of the Strokes "Someday".

Satellite Generals, truly display the makings of a quality band and we will certainly be back for a second look.

Review: Alarmist at Whelan's

Alarmist are definitely not a gateway drug to math-rock. They are at the cold face of of the equation. This Dublin based instrumental quartet owe a lot to modern orchestral music as well as their math rock peers. It came then as no surprise to discover that they are players in the Trinity Orchestra.  Who you may have seen at this years Forbidden Fruit festival. 

Indeed many of their compositions would probably wow a musicology professor due to the unusual time signatures and instrument hopping melody lines. But does your average gig goer or math rock enthusiast want the same things as a music professor. Probably not. More than likely they want to dance or jump around

Luckily for Alarmist songs such as Vitamin Saturday, offer up the goods to both gig goer and music professor alike. A juxtaposition of metallic sounds against Sigur Ros style minimalism set against sweeping jittery guitars and synths.  

The influence of Frank Zappa is audible on Giraffe Centre as the bass clarinet mixes with atmospheric synths and jittery guitar lines. All of this as with Zappa is held together by the bass. And while music professors will approve of the theory behind instrument hoping. The audience is visually stimulated with a will he, won't he, sense of suspense, at the execution of these melodies. 

Alarmist are definitely for fans of the Richter Collective's stable of acts such as Enemies and Bats.

http://alarmist.bandcamp.com/

Review: Ash live at Whelan's 6-6-2011

Ash popped their Whelan's cherry and the audiences ears, in a tour-de-force performance that showed they are still top dogs of Irish Rock N' Roll, 17 years after the release of their debut Trailor.

A sold out crowd were impressed by Northern Ireland grunge revivalist LaFaro's mix of "Moist Vagina" style Nirvana. Kyuss, Screaming Trees, and Mudhoney. It is easy to see why LaFaro are hailed as the next big thing to come out of Northern Ireland.  As they deliver memorable riff after riff. LaFaro are let down on the night however, by the sound,with the vocals barely audible at times.   

Ash were joined by LaFaro’s drummer Alan Lynn. filling in for drummer Rick McMurray, whose girlfriend is in labour.  And maybe LaFaro and McMurray should be worried such is the quality of Lynn's performance on the night.

Ash lay down a statement of intent with frenetic opening track Loose Control.  Tim Wheeler clearly means business.  Putting his all into the, at times considerable guitar work.  His voice is also in top form throughout the evening.  While bassist Mark Hamilton puts his base into, what can only be described as Kama Sutra, style positions. Which get stranger and stranger as the night progresses.

Ewan McGregor movie theme tune A Life Less Ordinary proves that whilst Ash, may desire a second guitar player, they throughly don't need one.  The song is better live than the recorded version.  Those at the back may have wondered what Wheeler was laughing at, towards the end of the song.  He dropped his plectrum while throwing a rockstar shape.

"We normally play this at the end, tonight's an experiment" says Wheeler, referring to Twilight of The Innocents. A mix of sampled and live drums combine well with synth backing tracks, as the song slowly builds to the repeated chorus of "I'm still breathing, my hearts still beating" the vocal highlight so far.  The crowd sing along and moshing ensues during Girl From Mars and Goldfinger.  While a full on pit, erupts during Petrol.

Tim Wheeler, lets the crowd takeover singing duties on Walking Barefoot and once again on Oh Yeah which was notable for two reasons. It featured a great solo by Wheeler and secondly it gave a masterclass, in how to execute a false/double ending in a song.  A must have skill for any band.

Ash classic Kung Foo sends the crowd into overdrive and crowd surfing follows on The Dead Disciples. By this stage, even a love song like Shining Light sees legs flying over head. Return of The White Rabbit closes the first section of the show. Its is not only the highlight of the songs that feature samples.  It is the highlight of the night as a whole.  Underpinned by a dirty bass riff.  A swirling mix of Kasabian and Nine Inch Nails influences, combine to create a disco metal classic, with an excellent chorus "Is this the end of the line my friend I don't wanna know I don't wanna to go"

Ash return for a four song encore of Arcadia, Jack Names The Planets and Angel Interceptor with Burn Baby Burn the highlight.  By now the crowd has gone so wild, that the front row falls onto the stage, in a heap of limbs, as the final note sounds.  Ash are quick to make sure the those on the stage are ok, and discomfort quickly turns into elation, as its hugs and handshakes between Ash and fans.

We don't normally do marks out of ten but in this case we would have to go with 12. Even though we experienced hearing loss for several days. Thanks Tim.

Live Photo by Kieran Frost.

Video: Zombie Cops "You Do"

Dublin rockers Zombie Cops; one of Ireland's finest live acts, have released a promotional video for their forthcoming third single "You Do" A twisted lament with splashes of Placebo and Jimmy Eat World. The video was made by Eoin Heaney of Highly Stimulating Productions and continues the eerie feel of previous single "Taking Lives"


Zombie Cops - You Do from Zombie Cops on Vimeo.


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