A band named after a cheesy ‘80s TV icon releasing an album with a George Bernard Shaw quote as its title? This wonderful mix of cultural references is brought to you by Dublin-based indie pop group Michael Knight. The debut album Youth Is Wasted on the Young is due for release in the autumn but in the interim you can get a taster by procuring the single ‘Foals’. The equine-inspired title is being launched in the Lower Deck, Portobello, Dublin on the July 8 with support from Northstation and Groom.
In addition to the single launch they will also be playing the Roisín Dubh in Galway on July 7 with electro superstar (in waiting) Neosupervital [pictured].
You can also catch Neosupervital in the same venue on July 26 and in Dublin's Crawdaddy on July 16. In the meantime keep an ear out for a brand new song, ‘Rachel’, playing on a radio near you soon.
The band’s sole member is Tim O’Donovan, currently on drumming duties with BellX1 in the US. According to reports, the Kildare group are generating quite a stir and were recently the third most-requested group on KCRW (a major player on the west coast airwaves). The next big domestic date is as special guests to Snow Patrol at the Killarney Summerfest show on Friday 1 July in Fitzgerald Stadium.
Another live extravaganza on the same date is the Tramore Festival in Waterford, headlined by The Pale. The next day they have the pleasure of supporting the wonderful Antony and the Johnsons in Dublin’s Vicar Street.
Meanwhile in Cork pirates SubFM are flying the flag for local producers with a show putting the spotlight on home-grown talent. Names such as Ronan C, Paddypaws, Apex, Bricky and Snazzy are receiving much acclaim and positive response from listeners...
Some release news from the east coast...
Communal have finished recording their debut album titled Passport which is currently being mastered in LA. The September release will feature the highly acclaimed single 'Relent', which was included in the award-winning short film Take it Back. Watch out for live dates coming soon. Natives of New York, Adelaide, and Dublin, the influences of this international line-up range from Soundgarden to Jeff Buckley with a bit of Zep for good measure...
Favourites of the Dublin scene 66e have just released a new single ‘Scrambled Pictures’ hot on the heels of the success of the delicious long-player Fall Down 7 Times... Stand Up 8. If you haven’t managed to catch one of their recent slew of live dates get yourself down to The Village on June 30 for what is sure to be a blistering performance with support from Betamax Format and The Amazing Pilots.
And finally two talents from the worth well-worth lending an ear to are Noelie McDonnell and Chris Gavin. Galway singer-songwriter Noelie has recently released a double A-sided single 'Stars' and 'Steal a Rhythm'. Get your mits on a copy to tide you over until the autumn release of his much-anticipated debut album Stars.
Mayo man Chris Gavin's most recent offering is All Winter We Have Waited – a fine collection of well-crafted tunes blending folk, indie and a sprinkling of classical – available now through WM Records.

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