That’s not a disco classic… this is a disco classic.
Former Revs frontman Rory Gallagher (top) sneaks onto a blockbuster film set for his latest video, shot in Scotland.
Rory writes:
“This is one of the cheekiest videos I ever did, as the majority of it was filmed on my phone at 5am in Glasgow city centre on the set of the new Indiana Jones movie before the cast and crew arrived! They had recreated New York City circa 1970 and it fit perfectly with the song lyrics, but I was chased away (@4.34) by security in the middle of it, and rightly so!”
One of the best loved Irish bands of the late ’80s/’90s, Power Of Dreams have reformed with a terrific new album Auslander (the German word for outsider) making waves.
Singer Craig Walker (top right) writes:
“A new studio album was something we had talked about doing over the years but the timing and problems of us all living in different countries, meant it never happened. When everything closed in March 2020, suddenly those hurdles of geography and time no longer mattered.
It was a window of opportunity that was too good to pass up. I’d been putting songs to one side over the years, as they were obviously Power of Dreams songs.
“The reaction from fans has been great since we started releasing the singles last year. ‘America’ and ‘Across The Shannon’ topped the iTunes indie charts, then ‘Hurricane’ was used in the TV show Made in Chelsea and now ‘Do It’ has been doing really well on radio and the fans love it. We have received numerous messages from lifelong fans of the band thanking us for doing a new album. We believe the new album will satisfy long time followers of the band and hopefully introduce a new audience to our music.”
The new single Best Days is a heartfelt tribute by Craig to original guitarist Robbie Callan, who sadly passed away last New Year’s Eve, and who was as lovely a guy as he was a brilliant musician.
In honour of Robbie, here (above) is an old video of a performance of All Because on the Jo Maxi TV show on RTÉ in 1988 (that’s him on lead guitar in the black leather jacket). We were cousins too, and I dedicate this post to his memory.
“When I went to college I had it all: captain of the local soccer team, I had a little car and a beautiful girlfriend… Róisín. Fast forward 18 months. I didn’t play sport, dropped out of college and I had made it impossible for Róisín to stay. Why? Alcohol. I loved what it gave me and I put it before everything and everyone.
“I never labelled myself an alcoholic, but after going to a bunch of counsellors it became obvious that I was. A reluctant me did everything I could to keep tabs on it but after spending my rent money on a piss-up and couch-surfing around Cork I finally asked for help. Everything I had was gone.
“I spent a month in a Rehabilitation centre. The first one to visit me was Róisín. I stayed sober for a while but in the end we had decided to call it quits, not because of a lack of love but I couldn’t put her through this again. I was lost; so was she. This song is a gift to her. Some people deserve to have their name sung from a stage.”
Pa plays Tuesday September 28, Cyprus Avenue, Cork; Wed 29 Sept, Whelan’s, Dublin: Fri 1st October, Roisin Dubh, Galway; Sat 2nd Oct, St James’ Church, Dingle, Kerry.
Donegal-based singer/songwriter Jacqui Sharkey (top) shares her first single since she signed with Peer Music.
The scenic video was shot at the Inishtrahull Light Fanad Lighthouse near Malin Head.
Jacqui writes:
“I am really excited to share this video with everyone. We are blessed to be surrounded by beauty here in Donegal, and the spectacular lighthouse on the Fanad Peninsula seemed like the perfect location for it. ‘The Light’ shone bright for us at the perfect time on a very cloudy day, so I hope that is a good sign!”
Waterford singer, multi-instrumentalist and producer Sean Ward (18) introduces himself as a real talent to watch out for on his new single from his EP, Strawberry Jam, due August 20 on Egg Twelve Records.
The press blurb says:
“The lyrical content addresses the vicious cycle of repeating the same mistakes over and over in a relationship to the point where it becomes comical to both parties involved, where the relationship itself becomes as trivial as child’s play.”
What better time to belatedly feature One Morning In August than… one morning in August!
The Waterford/Carlow duo of Stephen Byrne (drums) and John Phelan (vocals, guitar and instrumentation) released their eponymous album last year on FIFA Records.
Producer David Ayers also played on and mastered the album.
Ever wondered what the bastard son of The Fall and the Pixies would sound like?
Wonder no more. Dublin post-punk tyros Klubber Lang – named for Sylvester Stallone’s nemesis in Rocky III – rock the joint with this visceral groove, while today its follow-up, Sleep Well, is released as a single.
The band are: Ciaran McGoldrick (vocals and bass); Ciaran Tallon (guitar, ex-Revelino); Fin O’Leary (drums, ex-Mexican Pets); Ronan McHugh (keyboards, producer).
Last Friday, from a suggestion by Scottser and with a €50 Golden Discs voucher redeemable in any Golden Discs store on offer, I asked you for your favourite live act (and their best-performed banger).
“Without a doubt I have to say Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds. Nick the man’s gigs are thrilling, compelling, hallucinated. Nick the man would dazzle his audience from just a stare. You might love or hate his work but you have to give him that, the man is bewitching.
“Here he is (above) performing one of his live staple, Red Right Hand, in Kilmainham Royal Hospital back in 2018, a show, once again, of biblical proportion. (hilarious little digression from 2:05).”
Runner-up:
So Long Marianne by Leonard Cohen.
Penfold writes:
“Had the amazing pleasure of seeing him play at Lissadell House in Sligo. Ben Bulben behind the stage, Lissadell House in the background and the water to the right, it was an amazing setting.
“Took my parents and it was simply a magical experience. What made it more special, if possible, was my grandmother and grand-aunts had worked there as youngsters, and we just had to walk back to an old family house that was at the start of being done up and camped out after.
“Aside from when he met his grandchildren for the first time, I can’t remember tears in my Dad’s eyes other than at this gig.”
Winner:
Samhradh Samhradh by The Gloaming
Paulus writes:
“One of my all time favourites; I’ve seen them a few times live, they practically had a residency in the NCH for a while. It’s hard to imaging a better interpretation, while remaining true to the spirit of the original song.
“Iarla’s voice and diction are perfect for this. Thomas Bartlett’s pose at the piano can be a little theatrical but you can’t say he doesn’t engage with the music. I love every note of it, and of course they can re-create their studio recordings live because there’s no added flummery. This leaves them free to introduce a little improvisation based on a nod and a wink!”
