Sligo-based artist Stephen Hero will be performing some Irish shows in June in support of the new album Darkness And The Day. The squad read Patrick Fitzgerald (ex Kitchens of Distinction) on lead vox and guitars, Dave Morgan (Primal Scream and the Weather Prophets) on drums and Kim Smith (ex Lost Girls) on bass.

The Jimmy Cake can now count both Supergrass and the Sun Ra Arkestra in their ever-growing ranks of fans after blistering sets at both the Trinity Ball and Red Box...Cork band Fred do the honors this week at Planet of Sound (Friday 31st) at Club FX at Sheares Street, Cork joined by a stellar cast of local DJs playing just about everything and the kitchen sink.

On the same eclectic tip, Roach Records in association with the Hemp Company, Dublin present a compilation called Wholly Smoke including ten acts purveying styles as varied as “funk to trad to hip hop to ballad.” Drop a mail to [email protected] for more info. A new single, ‘Desperation’ by IrishUnsigned.com featured artist Steafan Hanvey is available now from Road Records. Zeppo have just completed a mini-tour of Northern Spain. Lucky buggers.

June 17th sees the eventual release of the second album from Deloris entitled The Pointless Gift, no less than the sixth album on Scientific Laboratories. That same day sees the Boa Morte album on Shoeshine Records also hitting the shops. Stoat release a second single in early June at a launch bash with Drat (ex Watercress). ’80s style electro-punkers Winterbrief head a bill that includes Estel, Richie Egan and Herv for a short nationwide tour... Tarebo are allegedly Ireland’s answer to Oasis, whatever thats supposed to mean. Just proving that you can’t keep a Good-time man down, GoodTime John follows up his Giant Sand support with an engagement with the mighty Calexico.

A multitude of acts staged a very successful all-dayer in Connolly’s of Leap, West Cork last week. Partcipants included The Warlords Of Pez, The Redneck Manifesto, The Connect 4 Orchestra, Daemien Frost, Good Time John (he is omnipresent and omnipotent) Omelette, The Chalets and Weevil. Keep an eye and ear peeled for further midsummer madness.