Rebel Alliance!
In conjunction with our friends at Cork's 96FM, Hot Press has unearthed a fantastic selection of Cork favourites, superbly showcasing the dynamism and diversity of the county's large community of musicians.
The Hot Press Newsdesk, 20 May 2010
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1. THE FRANK & WALTERS – THE PARSON
Produced by The Frank & Walters. Engineered & Mixed by Ciarán O'Shea.
Released under exclusive license on FIFA Records.
Written & Arranged by Linehan/Keating Copyright Control.
(c) & (p) The Frank And Walters 2010.
They may have been around for three decades now, but The Frank & Walters remain one of Cork and Ireland's finest bands. Having toured with everyone from Radiohead to Inspiral Carpets, the group has released no less than six studio albums and a best of – not bad for an act named after two local eccentrics. New single 'The Parson' is a brilliant, foot-stomping return to form.
Your favourite place in Cork?
My new favourite place in Cork is Spike Island, smack bang in the middle of Cork Harbour. It's an ex-prison and naval base. I just got back from a visit and now I want to move there. I'll have to get a boat and maybe build a house. It'll be worth it.
2. TOY SOLDIER - BATTLES
Produced, Engineered & Mixed by Ciarán O'Shea.
Written & Arranged by Cian Walsh.
(c) & (p) Cian Walsh 2010.
www.myspace.com/toysoldier
Throw Hot Chip and Cut Copy into a blender with Simple Kid and you'll have some idea of what Toy Soldier sound like. Indeed, Hot Press have already included them on one of our 'Ireland's Hottest Acts' CDs, so you know they must be good. 'Battles' captures every last ray of summer sunshine and will bring a smile to your face on even the dullest day.
Your favourite place in Cork?
I'd say Callanan's pub is my favourite spot. It's the perfect place to fool yourself into going for "just the one".
3. BILL COLEMAN – FALSE NORTH
Produced by Ken McHugh. Engineered & Mixed by Bill Coleman & Ken McHugh. Released under exclusive license on BCMR.
Written & Arranged by Bill Coleman. (c) & (p) BCMR 2010.
www.bcoleman.com
Bill Coleman could easily be nicknamed 'fast-fingered Coleman' such is the dexterity of his guitar playing. His voice captures the rawness of Damien Rice but the Cork native also has a knack for melody that sets him apart in the crowded Irish singer-songwriter scene. On 'False North' he combines all of the above to produce a song of truly extraordinary beauty.
Your favourite place in Cork?
An Crúibín (previously the Lobby). Love this place. Firstly, it's the scene of one of the ultimate Irish 'rite of passage' events in my life. The first time I ever got drunk was at an Orange Fetishes gig upstairs. Secondly, to cap it all off, it's one of the best rooms in the country to attend or play a gig.
4. SLOW MOTION HEROES – WHY DO WE HAVE TO GET ALONG
Produced by Slow Motion Heroes/Lawrence White.
Engineered & Mixed by Tadhg Murphy, Data Studios Kerry/Lawrence White, RoughTone Studio Cork.
Written & Arranged by Slow Motion Heroes.
(c) & (p) Slow Motion Heroes 2010.
www.myspace.com/slowmotionheroes
Slow Motion Heroes are a seven-piece band with some impressive musical pedigree. The result of a chance conversation about musical tastes between Barry McAuliffe of Rulers Of The Planet and Noel Lynch of Revolution Of A Sun, their music transcends indie pop and rewards the listener with the sound of Sigur Ros on a Metallica binge. 'Why Do We Have To Get Along' encapsulates this sound just perfectly.
Your favourite place in Cork?
As a seven-piece, finding a place we all like can be tricky. We love playing gigs at The Pavilion and we enjoy a few pre-practice pints in Crane Lane Theatre.
5. EXIT: PURSUED BY A BEAR – PISH!
Produced, Engineered & Mixed by Ciaran Bradshaw.
Mastered by Fergal Davis of Sonochord Studios.
Released under exclusive license on Scream Recordings.
Written & Arranged by Exit: Pursued By A Bear
(c) & (p) Exit: Pursued By A Bear
www.exitpursuedbyabear.com
When they're not busy having the best name in Irish music, Exit: Pursued By A Bear specialise in up-tempo electronic rock. The band claim their roots lie in "a series of uncomfortable silences and lulls in conversation" but the raw philosophical nature of their songs is likely to provoke only the most stimulating debate. With 'Pish!' the band allude to The Smiths but manage to surpass even those lofty comparisons.
Your favourite place in Cork?
In summer time the Bears gather nuts and fruit around Cork's English Market and put on those essential winter pounds in many of Cork's famous chip shops. Come winter, they retreat to the Bear Cave in Blarney for a creative hibernation in preparation for the following summer in the wild.
6. BRIAN DEADY – OVER LIKE MCGYVER
Produced by Colm K/B Deady. Engineered & Mixed by Colm K.
Released under exclusive license on MagicMachine Records.
Written & Arranged by B Deady & Colm K.
(c) & (p) B Deady/Colm K/MagicMachine Records 2010.
www.myspace.com/briandeadyfutureretro
Brian Deady unfurls a unique blend of soul, pop, disco, funk and doo wop that sees him drawing on the influences of artists as diverse as Steely Dan and Outkast. 'Over Like McGyver' sounds like the product of a romantic dalliance between Neosupervital and Republic Of Loose. It is very good indeed.
Your favourite place in Cork?
I love to get into the car and drive out past Carrigaline to a small cove called Rock Bay. It's a beautifully hidden little gem 13 miles from Cork but I love the road to it as well. It's as much about the journey as it is the destination 'innit?
7. SKULLY – TROUBLE
Produced, Engineered & Mixed by Skully (with thanks to Horslips for use of samples).
Released under exclusive license on Blind Faith Digital.
Written & Arranged by Skully.
(c) & (p) Blind Faith Digital/IMRO.
www.myspace.com/skullymusic
Better known as one half of Metisse, Skully reworks an Irish classic to bring us 'Trouble', a track that combines two versions of Horslips' 1976 chestnut, 'Trouble (With A Capital T)'. Although recorded over 20 years apart, Skully's typically lush treatment makes them sound like they were always meant to be together.
Your favourite place in Cork?
I've been lucky to have travelled a lot, but no building, anywhere in the world, has moved or inspired me like our own Camden Fort, perched high on the headland overlooking Cork's magnificent harbour. It's time that this jaw-dropping building was shared with the people of Ireland.
8. JOHN SPILLANE – IT WASN'T TO BE
Produced, Engineered & Mixed by John Spillane.
Released under exclusive license on EMI.
Written & Arranged by John Spillane.
(c) & (p) IMRO/MCPS
www.johnspillane.ie
It's difficult to put your finger on just what it is that makes John Spillane so special. It could be his carefully crafted melodies, his unique touch with words or his distinctive vocals. Whatever it is, Spillane's songs have a way of casting a spell over his listeners and 'It Wasn't To Be' is a fine case in point.
Your favourite place in Cork?
Passage West. Where I live!!
9. FRED – THE LIGHTS ARE WITH US
Produced by Jamie Hanrahan/Jamin O'Donovan/FRED.
Engineered by Jamie Hanrahan. Mixed by Mark Wallis.
Released under exclusive license on R.C.M. Music.
Written & Arranged by FRED. (c) & (p) FRED
www.fredtheband.com
FRED's last album Go, God, Go! was rightly hailed as one of the finest Irish releases of 2008. The five-piece have a massive following in Cork and beyond with fans falling for their fantastic alternative pop. 'The Lights Are With Us' is a rock 'n' roll track with all the boring bits stripped away.
Your favourite place in Cork?
The city itself: the characters that take no prisoners, the proximity to the sea, the sing-song of the accent – and the Beamish!
10. FINGERSMITH – SUB
Produced by Fingersmith/Neal Calderwood.
Engineered & Mixed by Neal Calderwood.
Written & Arranged by Fingersmith.
(c) & (p) Fingersmith 2009.
www.myspace.com/fingersmithband
Fingersmith are an alternative rock four-piece that were known as Silo until late 2009. The name-change coincided with the launch of their debut album The Annexe from which 'Sub' is taken. It captures the impressive intensity of Fingersmith's live show, blending raw power with melodic sensibility.
Your favourite place in Cork?
The Quad Bar on Tuckey Street. It's the best spot in the city for alternative music, with a great free gig every Friday.
11. HOORAY FOR HUMANS – '06 FOREVER
Produced by Ross O'Donovan/Hooray For Humans.
Engineered & Mixed by Ross O'Donovan.
Released under exclusive license on Out On A Limb Records. Written & Arranged by Alan Healy.
(c) & (p) Out On A Limb Records
www.myspace.com/hoorayforhumansband
Hooray For Humans are a Cork collective that came together after responding to an ad published on various music websites. Good thing for us too because the result is a sparkling mix of electro pop and alternative rock that's rates alongside the likes of LCD Soundsystem. '06 Forever' pulls off the clever trick of managing to sound wonderfully like all your favourite songs at once.
Your favourite place in Cork?
The Quad Bar because it provides a warm, band-friendly atmosphere and in making all of their gigs free, an environment where new bands are much more likely to have their music heard.
12. HOPE IS NOISE – NATURAL SELECTION
Produced by Hope is Noise/Ciarán O'Shea.
Engineered & Mixed by Ciarán O'Shea.
Written & Arranged by Hope is Noise.
(c) & (p) Hope is Noise 2009.
www.myspace.com/hopeisnoise
Adding credence to the belief that post-rock isn't just another modish scene, Hope Is Noise specialise in angular, melody-driven riffs and lyrics that speak of rejection, heartache, and ultimately, revenge. 'Natural Selection' makes hard rock brilliantly accessible through its clever use of melody and angsty lyrics.
Your favourite place in Cork?
Thankfully the music scene is strong in Cork at the moment so there are always great gigs to go to throughout the city. The Quad Bar, Fred Zeppelins, and Crane Lane are some of the places we like to go to.
13. MICK FLANNERY – WAIT HERE
Produced, Engineered & Mixed by Mick Flannery.
Released under exclusive license on EMI.
Written & Arranged by Mick Flannery.
(c) & (p) IMRO/MCPS
www.mickflannery.com
A folk rocker at heart, Flannery was the first Irish musician to win an award at the prestigious International Songwriting Competition. Evoking visions of both Nick Cave and Nick Drake, 'Wait Here' is a beautifully crafted live performance of a very special song.
Your favourite place in Cork?
Favourite place in Cork? That's difficult, as it depends: do I want to go for a drink, play some poker, shop or sit around drinking coffee. Decisions, decisions!!!
14. BOA MORTE – WOODEN FLOOR
Produced, Engineered & Mixed by Daniel Presley.
Released under exclusive license on Kicking a Can Records. Written & Arranged by Boa Morte.
(c) & (p) Boa Morte/Kicking a Can Records
www.myspace.com/myboamorte
Boa Morte formed in 1998 and quickly released the Passenger, Measure Your Time EP, which generated a great deal of both industry interest and critical acclaim. They eventually signed with Moodfood Records, home of Ryan Adams, in 1999. 'Wooden Floor' encapsulates the band's self-professed downbeat sound with its haunting lyrics and achingly sparse melody.
Your favourite place in Cork?
The English Market. A place to sit and have a coffee and watch the world go by.
15. CIRCUS CAT – LITTLE SUNSHINE
Produced, Engineered & Mixed by Finny Corcoran.
Written & Arranged by Robbie Barron/Keelan Sherlock.
(c) & (p) Circus Cat
www.myspace.com/circuscatmusic
Circus Cat describe themselves as just "Cork lads who play guitars, drums and rock 'n' roll." That doesn't prepare you for the depth of the band's potential. It's clear from 'Little Sunshine' that Circus Cat have mined rock history to absorb the finest qualities of artists like Radiohead and Neil Young, without ever losing their special originality.
Your favourite place in Cork?
Charlie's Bar, Union Quay. Whether it's 7.30 in the morning or 12.30 at night, you're bound to find one of us in there, eating, drinking, singing, playing, drinking, shouting, arguing, working or drinking.
16. ALTEROSA – NEVER BEEN SCARED
Produced, Engineered & Mixed by O'Regan/Judge.
Written & Arranged by O'Regan/Judge.
(c) & (p) Alterosa
www.myspace.com/subrosa06
Alterosa's unique style reflects diverse influences, ranging from Portishead and Interpol to Nine Inch Nails. Deathly organs, driven guitars and arresting rhythms combine with an understated female vocal to create an intense mood that commands attention. We say: 'Never Been Scared' is the song The xx wish they could have written.
Your favourite place in Cork?
A small village in East Cork called Guileen. It's where we record all of our music. Amazing, inspiring sea views! A very well kept secret. Nothing but some cliffs, a few houses and a pub.
17. FISH GO DEEP – MAXX OUT
Produced, Engineered & Mixed by Fish Go Deep.
Released under exclusive license on Go Deep Recordings. Written & Arranged by Fish Go Deep.
(c) & (p) Go Deep Recordings
www.fishgodeep.com
Fish Go Deep are Greg Dowling and Shane Johnson, whose residency at Ireland's longest running house club spanned more than a decade and influenced a generation of Irish DJs. 'Maxx', from their Indian Summer EP, features a superb example of the duo's trademark thumping bass line and killer hooks.
Your favourite place in Cork?
The English Market. Aside from all the usual reasons – great produce in a bustling space – this was where we opened our first record shop way back when. (Fish Records of course.) Many memories.
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