Electro-rock godfather Gary Numan talks about his friendship with Nine Inch Nails, his appearance on The Mighty Boosh and the challenges of staying relevant after 30 years in the business.
A mere 112 years after the infamous Transylvanian Count made his literary debut comes the official sequel to Dracula. Bram Stoker’s great grand nephew, Dacre Stoker, working with screenwriter Ian Holt, has brought the events and characters forward 25 years, taking their inspiration from Stoker’s original manuscript and notes.
Country rockers Richmond Fontaine are back with their most accessible LP yet. Frontman Willy Vlautin talks about juggling music and literary careers, and his recent foray into racehorse ownership.
Grunge titans Alice in Chains are back after a 14 year hiatus. They talk about the tragic death of vocalist Layne Staley, working with Elton John and keeping the spirit of the early ‘90s alive.
Gideon Seifert of Joe Gideon and the Shark talks about touring with Nick Cave and Seasick Steve, and recalls his musical partner’s previous life as an Olympic athlete.
Depending on your viewpoint, it was either a glorious marriage of rock and classical music, or an overblown travesty by proggers who had lost the plot. Now, Deep Purple’s fabled ‘Concerto For Group and Orchestra’ is coming to Ireland. Its creator Jon Lord talks about the piece – and the controversy it created
Exhibiting a range of influences that includes U2, The Doors, Tom Petty and Steve Harley, the Skins are big on choruses and hooks that a week after the gig I’m still humming.
Energetic, angular indie stylings and melodic, hook-tastic tunes are the order of the night. The band give a tight, flawless performance hinging on the formidable front pairing of Ronan and Kieran, whose sparring guitars and vocal harmonies are the act’s secret ingredient.
With their debut album about to hit the streets on a hip French label and some prestige support slots in the offing, 202s are one of Ireland’s hottest properties.
Acclaimed music writer Simon Reynolds has revisited the post-punk era with a fascinating set of interview transcripts. He talks about prising choice quotes from Phil Oakey, David Byrne and, after a tense stand-off, Pere Ubu’s David Thomas - and explains why the internet has taken some of the fun out of music
He’s best known as the voice of Soundgarden and Audioslave. But now grunge legend Chris Cornell has embarked on his most far-fetched adventure yet – a hook-up with uber-beatmaster Timbaland.
The Seattle band put on a spookily magical performance with lush instrumentation and a raw intensity that made this one of Fleet Foxes' most memorable shows.
Justin Vernon's hiatus to Wisconsin may have made Bon Iver's sound that much better judging from the crowd's cathartic reaction as the band performed their latest tracks.
As cult continental rockers Deus release their fifth album, frontman Tom Barman talks about interviewing David Lynch, collaborating with Glen Hansard and hanging out with Elbow's Guy Garvey.
In a wonderfully chaotic performance, MayKay serenades the audience from a trash can, and two bins are passed around in an innovative new crowd participation/percussion experiment.
By day he's Nick Cave's trusty lieutenant, but Conway Savage is also spreading his wings as a solo artist, tipping his hat to James Joyce along the way.
Mac Con Iomaire is a delightful frontman, self-deprecating and entertaining, each song is preceded by a short explanatory note on its origin and each musical guest welcomed warmly.
The Charlatans have reclaimed their DIY ethic and released their latest album as a free digital download. It's a far cry from the days of booze, E, and backstage encounters with Madonna.
Doctor John may be renowned as a laid-back Big Easy legend, but get him started on the Federal Government's treatment of his beloved New Orleans and he spits nails.
Tonight’s Public Enemy show marks the 20th anniversary of It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back, an album as forceful in its sonic assault as its searing polemic.
Roisin Dwyer catches up with electropop duo MGMT to discuss their greatest rock 'n' roll moment, Jools Holland and their growing reputation as popular music's new trouble-makers.
He used to be an actor but there's nothing showbizzy about Johnny Flynn's baroque folk-pop. He tells us what it's like to grow up in a thespian household and of his friendship with Kevin Spacey.
Black Francis talks to Hot Press about his friendship with U2, his relationship with the rest of the Pixies and why he's reverting back to his original stage-name.
They've tangled with the legends of Krautrock, extended the hand of friendship to Eastern Europe and campaigned against light pollution. But what you really need to know about British Sea Power is that they're being hailed as this year's answer to Arcade Fire.
Glaswegian indie outfit Sons And Daughters are set to make a big impact with their most pop-influenced album to date. They talk about surviving Bernard Butler bootcamp, touring with Morrissey and, er, covering Adamski.
They once blagged a soccer scholarship to America as a laugh. Now back in the UK with a number one album, The Hoosiers are at the forefront of their very own scene: “odd-pop”.
This collection sees Levon return to his roots to reinterpret classic songs from his childhood and pay homage to those who influenced him along the way.
The songs are so tight and finely honed, they make the performance seems effortless. Rather than toiling, the musicians are relaxed and enjoying themselves.
Their sombre, melancholy music has seen The National tagged as arch-moochers. Face to face though, frontman Matt Berninger turns out to be a stand-up fellow.
The sound of a band that has nothing left to prove and the freedom to explore new territory, which they do with much aplomb, displaying impressive versatility.
Since taking a break from his day-job as Strokes guitarist Albert Hammond Jr has surprised and charmed with his plaintive indie-pop. Not that he likes to really compare the two experiences.
The absence of a venerable frontman would render most live performances ineffectual, but this rare outing from legendary Irish punks The Radiators disproved that theory.
The historical environs of the Tower Of London were a fitting setting for a live performance of what Damon Albarn called “a song cycle that’s also a mystery play about London”.
The Police's reformation is the reunion they said would never happen, and according to guitarist Andy Summers the band is still the same mix of egos and visionaries.
For the duration of this two-hour (yes, a full 120 minutes) show, he displays the energy of someone that has just supped from the cup of eternal youth.
Yours To Keep is a warm, understated record that contrasts with the brashness and immediacy of The Strokes, the album meanders melodically through ten perfectly-formed pop tunes.
Like an indie Addams Family, dark and macabre with tongue planted firmly in cheek, Clinic occupy a completely different space to most of their contemporaries. Their distinctive sonic concoctions are sometimes like riding a ghost train: eerie, unpredictable and quite brief but ultimately enjoyable.
The sight of a crowded Point Depot singing “Happy Birthday to Philip in heaven” under the instruction of an emotional Philomena Lynott is certainly one to behold. Unfortunately, on an evening pitched as a celebration of the life and work of Philip, much was promised but little was delivered.
Funeral is a diverse collection of absorbing songs, each rich in both its thematic and sonic content. Colours of death, love, life, youth and family are splashed across a lush soundscape that seamlessly blends searing violin and subdued cello with indie riffs and disco beats.
Having supported the likes of Relish and Interpol, Belfast-based rockers Leya have now signed with prestigious Dublin label Rubyworks. Plus the usual round-up of news from the domestic front.
The current wave of '80s revivalism has spawned a rich tapestry of young acts sonically nursed at the teet of Talking Heads, Gang of Four and their ilk. The result has seen a batch of catchy, well-structured tunes, that hark back to the glory days of Byrne, King and performers of a similar vintage. Another genre that dominated that decade, but definitely does not merit revisiting, is the aural abomination that is stadium rock. Unfortunately, here it is, courtesy of the heirs to Busted’s throne… Rooster... rehashed, repackaged, as revolting as ever.
“Now this is the point,” punned Stephen Patrick Morrissey before the unmistakable intro to ‘How Soon Is Now’ reverberated around the walls of the crowded venue...
Cork favourites The Berries are set to release their brand new EP ahead of the city’s stint as European Capital of Culture. Plus the usual round-up of news from the domestic front
They say bad things come in threes…for The Pale they did anyway… Work on the new album has been put on the back burner for a few weeks following an unbelievable spate of bad luck.
This issue’s forecast... a cold front moving in from the west guarantees a storming night of top tunes from The Blizzards in Whelan’s on September 11. The Mullingar act have been the subject of much attention of late.
They say every dog has its day – well the time has come for a group of lucky pups who are about to unleash their talents on the big apple. Sundogs, darlings of many a Garage Gig, are heading west for a series of NY dates, stopping off in such prestigious venues as Arlene’s Grocery and the new Sin É to showcase their talents to various industry glitterati…
Intriguing new developments are afoot in the world of Ulster rock ‘n’ roll. Plus tidings of a new Limerick indie compilation and the usual round-up of news from around the country.
