• Dublin DIY Punk Space the Karate Klub Needs Our Help

    October 14, 2020 - By 

    A vital hub within Dublin’s DIY music community, Dublin’s collectively-run punk practice space the Karate Klub is battling for survival. Having existed for 13 years, the member-ran and funded creative space has provided an important HQ for punks and like-minded musicians and artists. Now, facing a 50% rent increase during the pandemic, a GoFundMe fundraiser has been created to raise 8,000 to ensure its doors stay open. “Creative community space is important, now more than ever, as we face a future of ongoing uncertainty and austerity,” organisers said. “Like many spaces during the COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic, our space has struggled to bring money into…

  • Second Issue of ‘Spread’ Zine Set to Raise Funds for JaJa Studios

    June 19, 2020 - By 

    Feminist zine Spread was introduced in December 2019 as part of the Sex Workers Alliance Ireland Art Exhibition, covering themes of  music, sex and DIY culture in Ireland. Initially intended as a March release, editors Yvonne Kiely and Mairead Mullan decided to push back its release in order to effectively engage with the Covid-19 crisis. Spread #2 is available online at Lazer Guided Reporter, as of 3pm – completely free to read and download. Parallel to this, one of our favourite DIY artist spaces on the island, Stoneybatter’s JaJa Studios have recently been given the unenviable task of finding a new location in Dublin. In addition to this, Spread have generously…

  • Split EP Premiere: Mob Wife / Cruiser

    November 27, 2019 - By 

    It’s easy for bands to serve up those oft. espoused platitudes about the value of “co-operation in the music scene”, but to be pro-active in that is another matter entirely. Gladly, we’re seeing that attitude start to spread, with the latest in the trend being two of the most exciting DIY, guitar-driven bands on the island coming together for a split EP release. Mob Wife/Cruiser features, unsurprisingly, two tracks each from Belfast trio Mob Wife and Limerick quartet Cruiser, conceived of in early 2019. Both with their own singular imprint, Mob Wife and Cruiser share the emotionally-charged influence of 90s post-hardcore and fist-clenched modern indie rock & punk sensibility, as well…