Musical Cage Wrestling? It Must Be Acrojunk

What do you get when you cross a radio DJ, a former Olympic athlete, a graphic designer, a photographer and guy whose greatest ambition is to sell fresh mackerel from the side of the road? No, it’s not an extremely fit and well turned-out fisherman type, instead you get a feast of intelligent electro-folk-rock, all wrapped up in the band Acrojunk. And on Saturday August 24th, they’re limbering up to Cleere’s of Kilkenny to peddle their musical wares.

In 2006, Waterford’s Acrojunk grew out of the ashes of the critically lauded (but commercially ignored) group “The Bearded Ladies” and are quickly gaining a reputation as one of Ireland’s most promising acts. Even though they’ve only been together a year, they’ve already shared stages up and down the country with such luminaries as The Walls, Mark Geary, Fred, Jerry Fish & The Mudbug Club and Dae Kim. In February of 2007, Acrojunk released their debut EP “The Cold Old Playboy” to much applause and aplomb: “Their overall sound is quite unique. Acrojunk take the best, leave the rest and develop a likeable combination of old and new styles” – Hotpress. The EP received much airplay on radio stations around the country, a selection of which are Phantom FM, Beat 102-103, WLRFM, RedFM, FM104, Flirt FM, Galway Bay FM and Live 95. The band are currently recording their debut album, which is due for release in February 2008.

The five members of Acrojunk are a very positive reflection of modern Ireland. The newest member is Neal Byrne, himself a fine singer/songwriter and former Olympic rower, who represented Ireland at the Sydney 2000 games (that was before he was bitten by the musical bug). Guitarist Dave Manser was formerly a member of The Real, a band who had Top 20 hits in both the UK and Ireland. During the day drummer Trevor Nolan likes to think he’s a photographer, while bassist Ben Clooney prefers the simple things in life (such as catching fish). Meanwhile, frontman Rob O’Connor is familiar to many as the voice of the Irish Beats radio show on Beat 102 103.

Acrojunk, appearing at Cleere’s Theatre Bar, Parliament Street in Kilkenny on Friday 24h August. Imagine a musical cage wrestling match between The Kinks, Johnny Cash, Joy Division, Squeeze and The Beatles and you’re halfway there. Kicks off around 10pm.

VOTD: The Rolling Stones ‘Satisfaction’

1966 was the year and Ed Sullivan was the host to The Rolling Stones who 41 years on from this video grace the stage in Slane for the second ever time today. Can’t say I’m impressed with the remainder of the lineup and with word in the papers this morning that the band have oxegen tanks on standby to help them get through the set you’d wonder if you’ll get the same screaming girl effect this evening when they get to the stage.

Your Video of the Day - for the day thats in it - is The Rolling Stones with ‘Satisfaction’.

Seven Acts Feasting On Pancakes Tomorrow Night

The team behind Problems At The Pancake House have organised a showcase night for tomorrow night in Cleere’s Theatre in Kilkenny. Arriving nicely in time for the close of the Arts Festival, you’ll be treated to not one or two or three but SEVEN acts in the back room for a mere five euro.

Up first is Ennis-native Caitríona Ní Chaitháin, who brings her expressive and thrilling solo piano set to this perfect setting. She’ll be followed closely by Danny Coady - Officer Coady for the night - before the talented Moses Moorhous takes to the stage accompanied as usual by Jane Murphy and Aisling O’Neill.

Jazz Panda, who impressed highly on the first outing a few months ago, will continue the gig’s proceedings, the outfit made up of the core of A Safe Dry Place with Peter Lawlor joining them in the action. Peter steps down after the set with Dave Sheenan taking to the stage to unleash the electronic sounds of Supernova Scotia who played a recent double header in Cleere’s on July 20/21 making their debut alongside Queen Kong before topping the bill at a Devious Theatre fundraiser the following night.

If all that isn’t enough you’ll be treated to the dance revolution brought to you by Megan and Maebh a.k.a. You’re Only Massive, complete with a funny dancing guy in the corner of the stage. Deep dance and electronic sounds are high on the agena there and it should prove to be a great set.

Resident PATPH DJ Eddie B will play a set to finish out the night and if you can still move after all that music then fair play to you! Kick off is around the 8:30pm mark, free CD for the first few in the door as well.

VOTD: Mr. Mister ‘Broken Wings’

When suit jackets with shoulder pads were all the rage and a band couldn’t be without synths or a keyboard, here’s Mr. Mister with another cracker from the 80s - ‘Broken Wings’. The only way he could be any cooler is if he was driving the batmobile. Have a healthy dose of cheese for this Friday’s Video of the Day!

Vesta Varro Lined Up For November

Limerick boys Vesta Varro will play Cleere’s Theatre with KilkennyMusic.com on Saturday November 3rd this year, likely to be the last of our weekend gigs before the big December Christmas party.

The guys are touring their new album ‘Exit Here’ and were first seen in Kilkenny in February last year, the November appearance marking almost two years from their last apperance in the city. They’ve gone from strength to strength since then, releasing ‘Pyramid Clocks’ earlier this year while new single ‘Weighted Love’ hits the shelves on Friday October 19th (another gig night we’ve lined up, details this weekend though some people know a little about it already ).

Keep an eye on KilkennyMusic.com or check VestaVarro.com for more from the band.

21 Today - 3 In A Row For Sound System Podcast

We seem to have found our rhythm again with the Sound System Podcast as we’ve reached show #21.

This week you’ll hear us chat about the ups and downs of the Battle Of The Bands (without giving anything away at all), we flash back to The Aftermath, Mickey’s Rage Against The Machine Solo performance (now doing the rounds on YouTube), the upcoming production of Cannibal! The Musical! with The Devious Theatre Company in Kilkenny, Ross’ strange internet facts, Boo’s Tip Of The Week and more.

The end of this podcast is a little special. With an internet connection down, accessing the music playlisted for the podcast before recording was going to be difficult so you’re treated to a musical interlude from the KKM crew. We’re thinking on releasing it as a single - any takers? Let us know what you think but believe me - there was no alcohol involved and the whole thing is completely unscripted. We think its one of the greatest podcast endings ever!

Listen - KilkennyMusic.com Sound System Podcast #21

VOTD: Saving J ‘Bus Stop’ (Balcony TV)

Here’s your Video of the Day for Thursday August 16th, its Saving J with ‘Bus Stop’, recorded recently for Balcony TV.

VOTD: Alice Cooper ‘School’s Out’

Just for the day thats in it… Alice Cooper with School’s Out is your Video of the Day for August 15th, the day the Leaving Cert results hit Kilkenny.

Five Unite - Good Luck Leaving Certers

School is officially out for those of you collecting Leaving Certificate results today. If you’re a leaving cert student on the KilkennyMusic.com forums be sure and let us know how you got on, but before that, best of luck!

The results day is certainly one of the most nerve wracking of days. Been listening to Today FM here high in KKM towers and there’s certainly some nerves and excitement going around. Whatever happens, you’ve done your best and you’re free to enjoy whatever the results bring you. If you’re unhappy about them, don’t forget it’s not the end of the world - don’t believe the hype about it being the most important thing you’ll ever do!

If you do get the points that you’ve been looking for then congratulations!

Either way you look at it - school is out, done and dusted, so you can go travel around the world, get a job, go to college - whatever you want to do! You can always kick things off tonight in Kilkenny with the Beat 102 103 bash thats on in Neros (from word reaching us that is where all the leaving cert students are heading tonight). If you’re up for trad, drop into Paris Texas tonight, Morrisson’s too likely to be busy with Nada entertaining the masses.

Now the older voice rings in - be responsible about it! Last year was a bit mad in Kilkenny on Leaving Cert night and tonight is likely to be the same. Sure as the lads said on the podcast… “Kids… don’t smoke crack”.

Good luck!

VOTD: U2 ‘Where The Streets Have No Name’

On the corner of 7th and main with a massive security problem in one of the “undesirable” neighbourhoods in the US. You won’t see that kind of thing any more! Quality video for a quality tune… your Video of the Day for Tuesday August 14th is U2 with ‘Where The Streets Have No Name’ from the Joshua Tree album.

« Previous Page — Next Page »