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 Sewing Room – Forewarned
Continuing our series of underrated Irish music since 1960 (unearthed during a recent Golden Discs music competition), I chose 1990s Dublin indie troupe The Sewing Room who were once memorably described by Hot Press journalist Niall Crumlish as sounding “like death cooled down”. In a good way!
Singer/guitarist Eamonn Davis had previously been in Hey Paulette and was most recently seen playing bass in Eileen Gogan’s band The Instructions.
Lead guitarist Stan Erraught had shone in The Stars Of Heaven and drummer Dez Foley went on to join Crumb, The Drays and Acton Bell.
They released two critically acclaimed albums And Nico (top) and Sympathy For The Dishevelled and the Drug Free EP.
For an all too brief time, The Sewing Room had us in stitches.
Nick says: Knitrock.
Sack – Laughter Lines
Continuing our series of underrated Irish music since 1960 (unearthed by our recent Golden Discs competition), reader (and Zappa fan!) Andy Pipkin has a soft spot for 1990s Dublin indie guitar stalwarts Sack who were led by Martin McCann (now an ace DJ).
Andy says:
“From the opening unforgettable line to the brilliant chorus, the fantastic Sack and Laughter Lines…”
Nick says: The best medicine.
The Stars Of Heaven – Lights Of Tetouan
Continuing our series of underrated Irish music since 1960 (unearthed by our recent Golden Discs music competition), reader Brother Barnabas selects Dublin dreamers The Stars Of Heaven who shone bright in the 1980s.
Singer Stephen Ryan went on to form The Revenants in the ’90s and most recently The Drays.
Guitarist Stan Erraught went on to form The Sewing Room.
This lyric video (above) is for a song about a trip to Morocco taken from their 1988 album Speak Slowly (top).
Brother Barnabas writes:
“Just one of my favourite ever songs.”
Nick says: Magnetic North Africa.
Blink – Going To Nepal
Continuing our series of underrated Irish music since 1960 (unearthed during a recent Golden Discs music competition), reader Muchacho Gordo-Delgado chooses lovable 1990s Dublin indie pop troopers Blink, who were led by Dermot Lambert (top).
Muchacho writes:
“Forget your 182s, this is the original Blink.”
Blink says:
“We spent an afternoon going around Dublin on the back of a 40-foot truck playing this song, setting off car alarms and, yes, frightening horses.”
Nick says: Kathmandu-be-du.
Simple Kid – Serotonin
Continuing our series of underrated Irish music since 1960 unearthed by our Golden Discs music competition last week, reader Liam chose Cork indietronic hipster Ciaran McFeeley aka Simple Kid, who shone brightly in the Noughties.
Serotonin was released in 2007.
Liam said:
“I’d argue the Kid is one of the most underrated Irish artists full stop. He quit the business for a number of years due to lack of success but is back making music again, and it’s still great!”
Nick says: The Kid is alright.
Energy Orchard – Hard Street
Continuing our series of underrated Irish music since 1960 unearthed by our Golden Discs music competition last week, reader Charger Salmons states the case for 1990s Belfast Celtic rock act Energy Orchard, who were led by the late Bap Kennedy.
Charger says:
“A staple of London’s Irish pub rock scene for years, Energy Orchard were a fabulous live band who never quite matched their early promise thanks to (alleged) terrible management by their record company.
“But on a Saturday night when the Mean Fiddler {North London venue] was jammed and they were on fire there was no-one better. Happy days.”
Nick says: How d’ya like them apples?
Dr Millar & The Cute Hoors – Happy Can Be
Continuing our series of seriously underrated Irish music since 1960, prompted by the treasure unearthed during last week’s Golden Discs competition, reader Rosette Of Sirius plumped for cult Dublin singer/songwriter Seán Millar.
Rosette said:
“The supremely gifted songwriter Seán Milllar aka Dr Millar released an album called The Bitter Lie (top) in 1990. Almost every song tells a tale of growing up in the aftermath of Dev’s Ireland from the 60s to the 90s..
” The songs A Good Little Country and St Stephen make me rage ever so slightly. Alcohol Problem lives true even today and Your Not Paranoid speaks to his humour.
But Happy Can Be (above) is a quirky but gorgeous little love song that is so perfectly Irish. The fella should be a household name.”
Nick says: It’s Millar time.
LiR – Wickerman.
Thanks to all our readers who entered last week’s Golden Discs music competition to find the most underrated Irish music since 1960.
This week, we will be featuring some of the entries that almost but didn’t quite make the cut for the Top 3.
Andy Pipkin chose this song by the “totally underrated” 1990s Dublin band LiR (top) from their 1995 album Nest. Alas, LiR split up after falling out with their management.
Dave McGuinness went on to helm the I Heart… tribute band; bassist Rob Malone played with David Gray; and drummer John Boyle joined The Frames.
Nick says: King LiR.
Revelino – Happiness Is Mine
This video is (literally) a walk in the park.
Cult Dublin band Revelino’s eponymous debut was released in 1994 to great critical acclaim on both sides of the Irish Sea. ‘Happiness is Mine’, “a lost classic of 90s indie-melancholia”, was one of the singles of the year.
The re-mastered album, now available on vinyl for the first time, comes with a bonus ‘Happiness Is Mine ’ 12” yellow vinyl Remix EP.
The album is the best-selling of the week so far on vinyl, and was released on what would have been John’s Lennon’s 80th birthday.
Fingers crossed for Brendan, Bren and the boys.
Nick says: Walkin’ back to happiness.
