Rollerskate Skinny – Speed To My Side

Continuing our series of underrated Irish music since 1960, readers Anto S and Gorugeen fondly recall 1990s Dublin noise boffins Rollerskate Skinny.

Dubbed Ireland’s answer to Mercury Rev and The Flaming Lips, the band comprised Ken Griffin, Ger Griffin (no relation), Steve Murray and Jimi Shields (brother of My Bloody Valentine‘s Kevin) and were named after a phrase in J.D. Salinger‘s novel The Catcher In The Rye.

Speed To My Side is a single from their second and final album Horsedrawn Wishes, released by WEA in 1996.

Gorugeen writes:

“I’ve lovely memories of bopping to this song in Fibbers many, many moons ago.”

Nick says: That’s about the size of it.

This morning.

South William Street, Dublin 2

Broadcaster Mairead Ronan on a bed at Focus Ireland HQ in a space designed as a typical 12×12 foot hotel room showcasing what life is like for the 2,642 children living in emergency accommodation this Christmas.

At the window is Niamh Lambe, Family Services Manager, Focus Ireland who hopes the installation will help drive awareness and encourage donations.

Focus Ireland

Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland

Finally.

Andy Pipkin writes:

Just came across this bit of footage from some (sexy) nightclub in Dublin from the 70s. some classic quotes including, “some bands have as much sex in them as a peanut”. A few commentators seem too suggest it was a nightclub on Baggot Street where the Hothouse Flowers played years later? Maybe ask a Broadsheet reader?

Anyone?

 Tanaiste Leo Varadkar

Earlier.

Tanaiste Leo Varadkar responds to Claire Byrne’s interrogation interview with Mary Lou McDonald where the Sinn Féin President addressed the Brian Stanley tweet controversy.

Meanwhile

Safety of the closet, eh?

Previously: We Only Have To be Sorry Once

Dimly lit, in fairness.

All photoshopped parodies welcome.

Dublin city centre last Saturday

Level 6, anyone?

Via the Irish Times:

CSO surveys showed that 71 per cent of people believe Level 5 was appropriate, while 10 per cent say it didn’t go far enough.

As of November 30th, department data suggests that 61 per cent of people approved of the Government reaction to the pandemic, while a further 23 per cent believed it didn’t go far enough.

On social distancing measures, 78 per cent of people believed they were about right, while 14 per cent thought they were too weak. There’s good evidence of social cohesion, as 61 per cent of people believe everybody or almost everybody was following guidelines.

Furthermore, there are strong indications that the public was willing to go further. Some 75 per cent of people thought Ireland was trying to return to normal either “a bit too quickly or “much too quickly”.

Seems legit.

Silent majority supports goal of zero Covid (Tomás Ryan Irish Times)

Meanwhile…

Fight!

Gerr Walsh – A Town Called Forgiveness

Everybody walk the dinosaur.

Dublin singer/songwriter Gerr Walsh (top) uses footage of the scary scaly beasts from Harry Hoyt‘s 1925 silent movie The Lost World to complement his new single which he wrote during lockdown.

Additional musicians include Naimee Coleman (backing vocals), Max Greenwood (keyboard) and Tom Portman (lap steel).

Gerr’s new album will be released in 2021.

Nick says: We’re off to see the lizards…

Gerr Walsh

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