Letterkenny’s great melodic hard-core hopes Berkeley have just launched their debut album Hope Prayers And Bubblegum. The launch happened smack bang in the middle of a string of gigs around the country consisting of no less than fourteen shows. For more info and mp3 downloads etc. please check in at supremorecordings.com.

Two other resources who have also gone live are ballroomofromance.com and hotpress ‘Single Of The Fortnight’ recipient Headgear, which has an online home at marthadigs.com.

Derry/London combo Jetplane Landing are currently recording the follow up to Zero for Conduct and are also touring the Isle of Wight, Wales and Scotland before ending up in Ireland in May. Galwegian cosmic folk-rockers Starglow raised money for Tanzanian conservation last week at a gig with Nicky Cummins, Fintan Hanley and Pier 19. Self-professed “quirk-rock” pioneers Stoat released a new single entitled ‘I Wish I Was Stoned’. The track was recorded live in the Central Hotel with lots of guests, friends and fans singing “nursery rhymes, singalong choruses, relentless drumming and Russian weirdness with lyrics about ducks, flying dogs, long fingers and south county Wexford.” Derrick Devine also released a single/EP that is called ‘Charge’.

Mumblin’ Deaf Ro has just released a new album called Senor, My Friend... at a gig with Michael Knight and the Holy Ghost Fathers. It’s a selection of ten songs drawing on the guitar stylings of Mississippi John Hurt and The Reverend Gary Davis, and lyrics that sound like “what people talk like.” Completing the line-up at the Redneck Manifesto/Daemian Frost double bill to raise travelling cash for SXSW is not so much a band but an EPOCH – a photographic and visual exhibition by Del 9.

Aurel are currently recording an album in Drive By Studios. Aurel track ‘Bob’ will be featured on the The Front Page, A Compilation Vol.1, which will be hitting Belfast music stores this month hot on the heels of the recent Belfest release. Ambulance jig up for their imminent debut with a live date with Supercollider this month.

Finally, the strangest benefit this fortnight was unquestionably by Cork bands Playtoh, Operamango and Elephant, who staged a bash in aid of The Wrong Way Round. This refers to Ruairi Collins’ participation in the 2004 Global Challenge, which is an around the world yacht race that sails against the prevailing winds – hence, the Wrong Way Round. Good luck Ruairi, you’ll need it when you’re sailing against the grain.