Coincidence or not? Crumb’s debut album release on April 20 takes place at a time when the work of the controversial cartoonist who shares their moniker is being celebrated in a high-profile London exhibition. Are they fans of Fritz the Cat? Was he a fan of The Sewing Room, Mexican Pets and Hey Paulette? Who knows. But those who appreciated the musical stylings of these acts will be delighted that former members Dez Foley, Eamonn Davis and Derrick Dalton have joined forces to produce this highly-anticipated long-player, Evenings and Weekends…
...Long Lost Brother recently completed a mini-Irish tour in support of their debut single ‘A Little At A Time/Sympathy’. The band completed their trek opening for Hugh Cornwall to a packed Crawdaddy in Dublin. The former Stranglers mainman was so impressed by their performance that he has offered to produce the track ‘Anywhere But Here’ for a future single release...More good news, this time from the Thread Pulls camp, is that they have been invited to perfom at the Vincent Gallo-curated All Tomorrow’s Parties from April 22 – 24...Congratulations are also due to Morello who have signed a record deal with NY indie 10-34 Records. They will be moving to the big apple in May to begin their first east coast 30-date tour on June 1. This will be followed by an EP release in July and album release in August.
...In other EP news, Limerick’s Veneer release ‘New Positivity’ on April 25. The CD will be launched with a full live show on April 23 in the High Stool, Limerick with support from Niall Quinn. Released on their own Veneerland label, the offering includes the title track plus ‘Look What’s Coming At You’ and ‘Bye Bye Songbird’. This follows on from last year’s well-received single ‘Walking To Isaville’. “New Positivity’ was recorded and produced with Denis Allen at Rosbrien…
...Kilkenny Rockers Nearly Dead Jim are gearing up to release their debut EP ‘The Waking End’ on May 1. The band is doing a full Irish tour including dates in Carlow, Cork, Waterford, Kilkenny and Dublin in early May. Check hotpress.com for details…
...Wexford-based record label Cherish Records is currently looking for submissions from south east bands for their forthcoming South East Rocks compilation CD due for release in May. Bands who are interested in appearing on the compilation can find out more info on www.cherishrecords.tk or by emailing [email protected]…..
…And finally some news from the Waterford area…the local gig circuit ihas been given a new lease of life with the introduction of a Friday rock session at Axis Mundi. So far The Things, Waiting Room, and Blink have made an appearance, keep your diary free for Scott Maher on April 22 and Stanley Super 800 on May 6…
…Waterford Music Network are currently running a competition to pick a young rock band to represent the city at the Peace-A-Chord festival in Newfoundland in mid August. Nine bands have entered the competition, and all the acts have appeared at the very popular Teenage Kicks gigs in Garter Lane Arts Centre, in Waterford city. Finalists include The Gentlemen, Schlumpf, Hot Blooded Animals and Cerebus. Recently all nine bands recorded a demo at The Farm Studios in Tycor which will on Roddy Cleere’s Irish Music Show on WLR FM. Our very own Jackie Hayden will judge the competition, to be held in Garter Lane in early May. Best of luck to all acts involved.

For live updates tune into The Last Splash, Sunday nights 8-10, with Alison Curtis on Today FM
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