__VIDEO_PLAYLIST__

1. TOY SOLDIER – Climbing Trees
Written by Cian Walsh. Produced and Mixed by Ciarán O Shea. Taking from the Closer EP.
www.myspace.com/toysoldier
Toy Soldiers are a Cork electro-pop duo whose songs are distinguished by their summery vibe and catchy melodies. They delivered a series of impressive performances on this summer’s IMRO showcase, and also played a blistering set at the Hard Working Class Heroes Festival. In addition, a tour of the US west coast saw Toy Soldier play at the House Of Blues on Sunset Boulevard, and also appear on popular LA station KCSN FM. The duo are currently recording a single and planning an Irish tour this summer.
The track showcased here has a definite feel good vibe which is backed up with an upbeat guitar riff .
WHAT DOES CORK MEAN TO YOU?
“Cork is a place just big enough to feel like a city, but small enough for anyone you don’t know to know someone you do.”

2. RULERS OF THE PLANET – Give The Bitch A Bad Name
Written by Rulers of the Planet. Produced by Ciaran O’ Shea. Engineered by Tris Dalton. Mixed by Corni Bartels & Ian O’ Connell.
www.myspace.com/rulersoftheplanet
The Rulers are a group of anarchic rockers with a voracious appetite for destruction. In 2005, they released their debut album, In 30 Minutes We Destroy The Earth, to widespread acclaim, including a selection as Album of the Week in The Irish Independent and a 9/10 review in Hot Press. Following the record’s release, the band wowed audiences across Europe with a series of blistering live shows. Of late, they have been at work on a second album that promises to be as brilliantly raucous as their first.
The name coincides with some of the anger that is telegraphed in this great punk-rock track.
WHAT DOES CORK MEAN TO YOU?
“Cork is just a corruption of the word rock. It’s just a matter of spelling! We only do what the voices in our heads tell us to do, so right now they’re saying ’stay in Cork & Rock!!’ Or maybe we’re just dyslexics!”
3. THE FRANK & WALTERS – You’re The Greatest
Written by Linehan/Keating. Copyright Control/IMRO. From the album A Renewed Interest In Happiness (FIFA Records). Produced by Dave Couse. Engineered and Mixed by Kieran Lynch.
www.frankandwalters.net
The Frank and Walters are rightly regarded as one of the finest ever Cork acts. Forming in the early ’90s, they quickly relocated to London and built up a loyal following through their impressive live performances. Among their support acts were Suede and Radiohead, whilst their roadie was one Noel Gallagher. Their debut album Trains, Boats and Planes was filled with the brim with indie anthems, including ‘Fashion Crisis Hits New York’, ‘This Is Not A Song’ and ‘After All’, a UK number 11 hit. After a few years on sabbatical, the group made a triumphant return in 2006 with the album Renewed Interest In Happiness, from which the superb ‘You’re The Greatest’ is taken.
An indie track with a confident air about it thats accompanied with an equally gutsy set of vocals.
WHAT DOES CORK MEAN TO YOU?
“Cork, like any other city has its good and bad, but its people and places have provided the inspiration for many of our songs over the last twenty years. Without this place we call home there would be no Frank and Walters”

4. MAKO – Unstoppable
Written by MAKO. Produced by MAKO. Engineered by Sebastien Gastaldi. Mixed by Larry Fricke. www.myspace.com/makotunes
MAKO signals the re-emergence of Declan O’Shea and Christian Montagne, both former members of acclaimed band Cyclefly. Whilst with their former band, Declan and Christian toured throughout America and Europe with bands such as Linkin Park, Tool, Live, and Bush. While their new project retains the edgy alt-rock sound that gathered so many fans for Cyclefly, it also possesses a more mellow feel, reflecting the duo’s growth as songwriters and musicians. For the recording of their debut album, the band returned to Christian’s native Antibes on the Côte D’Azur. Whilst waiting for that record to arrive, you can enjoy Mako’s superb debut single, ‘Unstoppable’.
A catchy up tempo song with darker set of lyrics then the rhythm might suggest.

WHAT DOES CORK MEAN TO YOU?
“Having toured the USA and Europe with Cyclefly its after giving us a perspective on the local Music scene. Its great to be part of such a healthy scene. Cork has produced some quality bands over the years and we are delighted to be part of that!! Long may it continue!”

5. FRED – Fear
Written & Performed by FRED. Produced by Jamin O’Donovan, Jamie Hanrahan & FRED. Mixed by Mark Wallis. Mastered by Dave Collins.
www.fredtheband.com
Five-piece outfit Fred have earned considerable acclaim for their sparkling pop tunes. Their third album, Go God Go, was hailed as one of the finest Irish releases of 2008. The first three singles, ‘Running’, ‘Skyscrapers’ and ‘The Lights’’ enjoyed extensive airplay, and the band attracted many new followers around the country courtesy of their superb live performances. Recently, Go God Go was released in Canada by Spark Music, with Fred undertaking a short Canadian tour to coincide. And with such gems as ‘Fear’ in their repertoire, Fred’s popularity is only set to grow.
A fun electro pop track that shows great originality and is a showcase of the talent which this band has.
WHAT DOES CORK MEAN TO YOU?
“Cork has one river that splits in two. This can be confusing!”

6. IAN WHITTY & THE EXCHANGE – City Friend
Produced by Ken McHugh. P & C Whimsical River Records 2009 www.ianwhitty.net
Ian Whitty and the Exchange made a splash with their debut album Lucky Caller No.9, which was produced by top Irish groove technician Ken McHugh and mastered in Los Angeles by Dave Collins (Bruce Springsteen, Jane’s Addiction). Lush strings and brass dominate the indie-pop arrangements of the record, and the up-tempo nature of the songs marks an exciting progression from Ian’s stripped-back beginnings. ‘City Friend’ is just one of the many wonderful tunes in the repertoire of this hugely gifted group.
An indie pop track with a touch of country about it from a violin which provides a quality backing throughout.
WHAT DOES CORK MEAN TO YOU?
“I love Cork city, there’s two rivers and a fish in the sky here so it’s a town that does things by its own rules. That independent spirit definitely spills into the music scene and has led to a great DIY ethic down here.”

7. STANLEY SUPER 800 – Only You
Written by E.O’Sullivan. Produced by Mark O’Sullivan. Recorded at Shabby Road and Blue Monkey Studios, Cork. Mixed by Mark O’Sullivan and SS800. Engineered by Tomas Mulcahy and SS800. Mastered by Jesper Dahlback at Globe Studios, Stockholm. www.stanleysuper800.com
Stanley Super 800 are among the most impressive of the new breed of Cork bands. The fantastic ‘Only You’ is taken from the band’s second album, Louder and Clearer, released in 2007. The album received 8/10 from Hot Press for its “demented lo-fi, rag-time weirdness and experimental flourishes.” For good measure, it was also nominated for the Choice Music Prize. As long as Stanley Super 800 continue to produce records of the calibre of Louder and Clearer, their career is guaranteed to remain on upward trajectory.
The track featured is a mellow, layed back love song which is made by the fantastically unique vocals.
WHAT DOES CORK MEAN TO YOU?
“Cork is full of great music, great people, great pubs and great oul’ craic like... and its also an anagram of ROCK“

8. BILL COLEMAN – Your Hands Were Made For Working
Written by Bill Coleman. Produced & mixed by Ken McHugh. Drums, Keith O’Brien. Bass, Cormac Driver. www.myspace.com/billcolemanmusic
Singer-songwriter Bill Coleman describes his sound as “Damien Rice and Elvis Costello fighting over who gets to use the Moog next.” His bewitching style was showcased to perfection on his ’07 debut album, I’ll Tear Down My Own Walls, which skilfully mixed plaintive tunes with infectiously upbeat numbers. Having earned widespread critical praise for his debut, Bill is currently at work on the eagerly anticipated follow-up.
This is a fantastic acoustic track which is filled with emotion which spills out through the lyrics and the enchanting vocals.
WHAT DOES CORK MEAN TO YOU?
“Cork means sunny afternoons in the summer with my Peoples Republic shirt on and the Championship in full flow.”

9. NICOLE MAGUIRE – I Remember
Vocals & Piano, Nicole Maguire. Produced by Warren Tivy & John Burke. Recorded at Claycastle Recording Studios 2008.
www.myspace.com/nicolemaguireireland
Nicole’s unique style of songwriting emerged from exposure to such artists as Tori Amos, PJ Harvey, The Cranberries, Tracy Chapman, Damien Dempsey and the Indigo Girls. The Evening Echo has described her compositions as “solid, dynamic and sultry with a unique style”. Earlier this year Nicole released her excellent debut album, Fight The Score, and supported Nanci Griffith on her Irish tour.
The spellbinding ‘I Remember’ showcases her melodic gifts and fantastic voice to stunning effect.

WHAT DOES CORK MEAN TO YOU?
“Cork has some of the best musical talent in the country at the moment, both known and unknown, and it’s exciting being from a county that has this much to offer.”

Listen to a selection of these brilliant Cork tracks on The Green Room with Michael Carr and on selected other shows on Cork’s 96FM.