Following in the footsteps of David Byrne, Morrissey and so many other great frontmen who cultivated fine solo careers in the aftermath of a band’s demise, come Myles O’Reilly, TJ Shiels and Shane O’Fearghail. Yes, Juno Falls, The Manhatten Project and The Brand are no more….
Shane recently made his debut performance as a solo artist with a high profile support to Ray LaMontagne at The Village on May 2 and will head into studio in the coming months with a yet-to-be- named producer to begin recording his debut album
TJ Shiels is also working on a solo debut and as a taster will be releasing a radio promotional single on the May 27. More details on both releases will follow soon…
Myles is currently recording a solo record with an indefinite release date. Speaking of solo artists, Adrian Crowley has just returned from a short tour of the US east coast supporting Damon and Naomi (ex- Galaxie 500). Adrian is heading off to play some shows in Spain and Portugal with the very fine Leeds band HOOD.
Pete Courtney has been lying low for the last few months due to a family illness but happily will be making a return to the live circuit with a gig at the Sirius Arts Centre in Cobh, Co Cork On Saturday May 21. Best wishes to Pete and his family. And while we’re at it congratulations to Pennywhores frontman Niall Quinn who recently became a dad for the first time when Senan Augustine Quinn (weighing in at a whopping 9lb 4oz) popped into the world…
Continuing on a creative theme Lucas have finally mastered their long-awaited album and are currently putting the finishing touches to the artwork. Catch them live in the Roisin Dubh on May 20 and 27. The show on May 20 is as part of the Hoot Night. The night is based on the concept Talking Heads vs The Pixies and will feature over 15 bands from Galway, Dublin and Belfast – should be interesting!...
Also playing at the aforementioned themed evening are Crumb. The band were recently given Petsounds Rising Artist of the Week for the second time in three months – well done!
In Northern news, Panda Kopanda launch “The Letting Go EP” on Friday May 20 at The Pavillion in Belfast. Support on the night comes from the wonderful Rags. The EP will be available at the gig and from then on at quality record outllets nationwide. The CD is released by Belfast indie label Howl Records. The five-track offering includes a special enhanced video for “Letting Go” made by Chewie Films – a snip at £4/Eur 6…
And finally following up on the Teenage Kicks news item in the last column… Jackie Hayden has selected The Gentlemen to play at the Newfoundland Festival in St Johns in Canada this August. On stand-by in case of emergency are The Hot Blooded Animals. The event was run by Waterford Music Network at Garter Lane Theatre and the nine bands attracted sizeable crowds throughout the day.

For live updates tune into The Last Splash, Sunday nights 8-10, with Alison Curtis on Today FM (email: [email protected])