Author Archives: Nick Kelly

The Yellowhead Project – A Million Minds In Tune

Calling all Beach Boys and ELO fans.

Dublin singer/songwriter PJ Gargan aka The Yellowhead Project layers on the vocal harmonies on his debut single like Drumcondra’s answer to Brian Wilson.

The innovative video by Pilot Media‘s Terry Quinlan has echoes of Peter Gabriel‘s legendary Sledgehammer promo.

A shout out too to Peter Eades‘s sumptuous production.

Nick says: And it was all yellow.

The Yellowhead Project

Bawl – Glen Campbell Nights

Continuing our series of underrated Irish music since 1960, reader John Lawrence eulogises about Dublin indie guitar heroes Bawl, who were led by ace tunesmith Mark Cullen (above left).

John writes:

“Year Zero (1996) for me, is right up there as one of the best Irish albums ever made. From the very start to the finish Year Zero is a triumph of creativity in terms of observational songwriting and soaring guitar/drum combinations.”

Bawl had to change their name to Fixed Stars for legal reasons, and singer Mark Cullen went on to form Pony Club and to collaborate with the Lightning Seeds‘s Ian Broudie.

Nick says: Mark of distinction.

Moncrieff – America

Purple reign.

Waterford singer/songwriter Chris Breheny (top) aka Moncrieff returns with a new single from his forthcoming EP The Class Of 2020, due on November 27.

Moncrieff says:

“I had planned to release my second EP earlier this year but I felt, after all the world kind of came to a standstill, that maybe I should hold off. Nobody had a clue what was happening and the music didn’t feel fully right for the time.

“Then I realised these are the times that I had actually always dreamt about writing songs for and being able to make music that had a voice in this bizarre time we’re in.”

Nick says: Bananarama republic.

Moncrieff

1985.

Bachelors Walk, Dublin 1.

Name those jammers, anyone?

Jubilee Allstars – Keep On Chewin’

Continuing our series of underrated Irish music since 1960 (unearthed by our recent Golden Discs music competition), reader Liam selected Dublin 1990s slackers Jubilee Allstars.

Liam says:

“A laidback No Disco classic from way back. Bonus of some great ’90s Dublin footage in the video.”

Singer Barry McCormack‘s most recent solo album is Mean Time.

Nick says: No.1 with a bullet.

The Zen Arcade – Don’t Say A Word

Garage rock around the clock.

Named for the 1984 Hüsker Dü album, The Zen Arcade, feature three members of erstwhile Cavan tyros The Strypes.

This new incarnation rocks like a beast.

The band have their own podcast Higher Fidelity.

Nick says: Breaking the Mould.

The Zen Arcade

Thank Frodo It’s Friday.

What better way to spend the Hallowe’en weekend than with another Broadsheet music competition?

This week, as suggested by reader Morgen Scheißekopf, the theme is misheard lyrics. Are there any song lyrics which you heard wrong and what was your garbled version?

I spent the guts of 40 years mistaking a line from The Stranglers hit Golden Brown.

They wrote: “Golden brown texture like sun/ Lays me down with my mind she runs.”

I heard “Lays me down with my mansheerons.”

I have no idea what a mansheeron is. I just presumed they did!

To be in with a chance of winning a spooky €25 Golden Discs voucher, simply reply below with your mistaken lyrics.

The winner will be chosen by my domesticated vampire.

Lines close at 5.45pm EXTENDED until Saturday 11am.

Nick says: Good luck!

Golden Discs