• Classic Album: Slowdive – Souvlaki

    June 7, 2013 - By 

    If we were to transport someone from the mid-90s to the present day, they’d almost certainly be in for a shock. Not at the political situation of the earth, although that is a cause for great concern in every single person’s life. They might not be shocked by the technological dominance in our society, perhaps seeing that as a sign that they’re in the future, and that far-out space-age technology now exists. They might even wonder where we keep our flying cars. No, the most shocking thing that our mid-90s time traveller would almost certainly encounter would be the continued…

  • 2013: Metapocalypse

    June 4, 2013 - By 

    Thirteen. It’s an unlucky number for some, but certainly not for fans of metal. I say metal. Of course, what I really mean is METAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL! This year sees some of the biggest and loudest  bands in the history of metal descend upon Ireland like an eagle on a sleeping mouse. If you aren’t a big fan of heavy guitars, you might be safer indoors for most of this year. Don’t say I didn’t warn you. Bands such as Slayer, Mastadon, Nine Inch Nails, Lamb Of God and even the fathers of heavy metal (or should that be grandfathers) – Black…

  • Solar Bears

    June 3, 2013 - By 

    Earlier this year, Dublin/Wicklow duo Solar Bears released their second album, Supermigration. The record built on the template they set out on their debut album She Was Coloured In – a blend of nostalgic electronica, psychedelia, Krautrock and sci-fi themes – while reshaping and refining it, tapping into their pop tendencies and working with guest vocalists for the first time. Chris Jones spoke to John Kowalski and Rian Trench over email to find out more about the record and where the band might be headed next. How did you feel the first album went in terms of execution and reception,…

  • Inbound: Go Wolf

    June 3, 2013 - By 

    Having spent the last few months building an ever-increasing fanbase, fast-rising Belfast indie pop band Go Wolf have just finished recording their debut EP. Seven months on from the release of their incandescent debut single ‘Voices’ (featured via Bandcamp below) Brian Coney catches up with Scott and Chris from the band four-piece to talk music, image and the Northern Irish music scene. ___ First thing’s first: how did GO WOLF come to be? Did you all know each other beforehand or was it a case of one person setting out to start a band? Scott: Chris and I met at…

  • Instatour: Fang Island & No Spill Blood

    May 31, 2013 - By 

    So here is our third installment of Instatour featuring two of Sargent House’s finest bands, Fang Island and No Spill Blood on their double headlining jaunt around Europe. They share with us plenty of crazy ass images especially of Splood’s bassist Matt Hedigan, celebrating his birthday and an unexpected appearance from Bressie to spoil all the fun! Check them out below. Not enough? Dig Brian Coney’s Sargent House mixtape here.

  • Getting Re-acquainted: ‘Breaking The Law’

    May 31, 2013 - By 

    Part of metal’s appeal is its terminal uncoolness. It can’t be co-opted, it isn’t ‘hip’, and it doesn’t easily translate to a mass audience. Sure, sometimes it has a dalliance with the mainstream, but there are always the hardcore contingent who take it to extremes, and they’re the ones who are still there when it slinks back to the darkness. Metal is, and always will be, outsider music. And if being uncool is what makes metal cool, then Judas Priest must be the coolest band on the planet. Their 1980 single ‘Breaking the Law’ remains their signature tune, and also…

  • Dan Hegarty: Hey Ho Let’s Go!

    May 28, 2013 - By 

    What is it about the months of May and June that I love so much? Is it the weather? Nope, certainly not! To be honest, it’s always a great time for new music being unleashed, along with people getting into festival mode. We’ve been served very well on both fronts this year; Enemies, Cat Dowling, Solar Bears, Little Green Cars, and Alias Empire delivered sterling albums, and the festival circuit looks in pretty good shape. Independent festivals like Knockanstockan, Castlepalooza, and Indiependence have announced their line-ups; and there are the larger gatherings like Forbidden Fruit, Sea Sessions, Oxegen, Longitude, Body…

  • Label Mixtape #001: Sargent House

    May 28, 2013 - By 

    Home to acts as spearheading and diverse as our very own Adebisi Shank (pictured) and And So I Watch You From Afar to Texan psych-rock five-piece Zechs Marquise and Zorch, LA based record label Sargent House is arguably one of the most exciting record labels in the world today. Formed in 2006 by Atlantic Records music video commissioner Cathy Pellow, it has grown in massive leaps and bounds over the last seven years. Through her own vision and seemingly faultless sonic intuition, Pellow has expanded the Sargent House name far from beyond its modest beginnings as a platform to release…

  • The Story Behind: Hüsker Dü (Part II of II)

    May 25, 2013 - By 

    With Husker Du’s drive and aspiration was going to come into conflict with the orthodoxy of hardcore,  for the world at large, their meteoric development was continuing to deliver the goods, and their second album of 1985 would somehow manage to raise the bar even further. Flip Your Wig boasted improved production values, giving the band a sparkling and clean sound for the first time, as well as highlighting the intensely creative and rewarding songwriting rivalry that existed between Bob Mould and Grant Hart. The two men had been peppering the albums with gem after gem, but Flip You Wig…

  • The First Time: Alana Henderson

    May 24, 2013 - By 

    In the very first installment of The First Time, we ask fast-rising, cello-wielding, Dungannon-derived songstress Alana Henderson to cast her minds eye back to pivotal ‘firsts’ in her music-listening, discovering and making life. Next week: Mojo Fury’s Mike Mormecha. First album you bought? Lets be honest shall we? It was a Shania Twain album. Come On Over. I was off school sick and I remember gathering the money together and sending my mum to go and buy me it in Woolworths in Dungannon. I’m pretty sure I loved it. The first album I remember buying myself was Anthony & The…