The Goo 1
words: Niall McGuirk PUNK - NIALL MCGUIRK It has
been interesting to see the reaction to the Buzzcocks gig in March as the band are on a list of bands who have played Israel. Other bands on this list are Los Fastidios, The Stranglers and of course Nick Cave. Online forums and social media are hopping with it all. What’s your opinion on it? Upcoming Gigs Post Punk Podge is Upstairs in Whelans on the 15th The Last Popstars is a project born during covid and during the hiatus in the Lee Harveys’ gigging calendar. The Lee Harveys are a 1977 style punk rock band from Dublin, so when the vocalist/guitarist, Bitzy decided to record a solo record, the obvious partner in crime was the similarly minded 1977 punk rock star from the Radiators from Space, Pete Holidai. Together they took Bitzy’s demos and reconstructed them into this wonderful 4 track post punk collection of sounds. With artwork designed by the renowned record sleeve designer, Steve Averill a man who has worked with some of the biggest names in the world and has created some of the most iconic record sleeves in history...but also a man who’s punk roots never leave him and his artwork completes this classic in the making. The release party on March 16 will be special as Molly Vulpyne, along with Tony St Ledger will be making guest appearances. The excitement is mounting for The Vaselines in the Grand Social on March 21st. Scottish popsters they may be but they were name checked by most American guitar noise bands in the 90’s. Boston Mano will be emotionally screaming the Grand Social down with their heartfelt noise on the 23rd of March. 40 April’s horizon, get your tickets while you can - Lambrini Girls are back in Whelans on April 7th bringing a discordant tuneful racket to the party. The Meffs will be there a week later. I’ve been lucky to see both bands at the Rebellion Festival and anticipate a fiery night at both gigs. American hardcore tunesters The Menzingers are in the Button Factory on April 16. On April 19th 999 and the Lee Harveys are due in the Grand Social, hopefully this will have a better end result than the recently cancelled Johnny Moped gigs which was pulled due to poor ticket sales. An interesting take on whether gigs happen or not. Trouble Pilgrims are in the Grand Social on 27th. A trip around the island Drogheda noisemaker Sonic Womb has a new offering for you. Combining deep drones and ambient noise soundscapes with electronic and acoustic improvisation, Sonic Womb will paint you a picture of ever-changing urban landscapes, so put it on your headphones, close your eyes and go on a journey with them. Gopniks new single White Cat / Mr Mannequin is a nightingale journey through a psychobilly post rock mixer. This Galwegian quartet have been creating their noise for a little while now and have just released their debut single. Wicklow five piece the spudguns have a new single “The Bookies”. It has roots in surf and garage but there is a strong psychedelic vibe in there too. Similar to Wexford’s Peer Pressure there is an anarchic organic sound going on. Ready for anything to happen next. 2-piece Dirty Marmalade are proudly rooted in Cavan’s sodden landscape and their debut album ‘Hills of Breifne’ will be out in May. In the meantime watch out for the steady flow of songs being dropped including ‘Król Markus II’ which is a chill acoustic folk-rock song about the one true friend who’s positive spirit lifts you out of a negative circle. Karpet Demon is a studio based collaboration between Kaz (drummer with the alt post punk pre grunge powerhouse duo, Vulpynes), alongside P.A and Deko (both from Ireland longest serving punk rock band Paranoid Visions). Already described as being one of the most sinister and caustic records Ireland has produced in years, the material is a fusion of several styles and genres from the underground music scene Cork post punk duo Big Boy Foolish have their new EP “Fear and Foibles” out now. Big Boy Foolish are Ricky Dineen and Liam Heffernan, and both appeared on Kaught at the Kampus (Reekus Records). Dineen was guitarist in the seminal bands Nun Attax, Five go Down to the Sea? and Beethoven. Heffernan played with Mean Features and Nun Came. This is a mix of those bands, irreverent quirky pop songs with a slight Krautrock feel.