“Punk arrived…. We were saved!!!” The Jude Carr Interview

  When Niall and myself wanted to raise money/awareness for the Syrian refugee crisis, we came up with the idea of collecting gig memories from the music community. Between us, we knew a few people, so we figured we'd ask them. Niall was far more effective than I was. He quickly gathered really interesting gig … Continue reading “Punk arrived…. We were saved!!!” The Jude Carr Interview

“The MC5 scared the crap out of us”. Karl Tsigdinos the Ramones zealot who championed the Pistols and the Clash.

Karl Tsigdinos doesn't sugar-coat the truth, nor does he hide his passion for the music he loves. Like Nick Kent, he isn't afraid to be unfashionable; he doesn't follow trends...he follows his own star and is an inspiring truth-teller. Unlike Nick Kent, Karl was penning his love letters to the musicians he admired from Dublin, … Continue reading “The MC5 scared the crap out of us”. Karl Tsigdinos the Ramones zealot who championed the Pistols and the Clash.

Dublin’s D.I.Y. A&R Man: The Eugene Connolly Interview Part 2

At major record labels you can find a curious breed. They are called A&R people. Their job is to find new acts, sign, then, develop them, and keep them constantly motivated and inspired to make great music. Even better for the label - to make music that sells. A&R people get paid to find acts. … Continue reading Dublin’s D.I.Y. A&R Man: The Eugene Connolly Interview Part 2

“The Ramones changed my life” Dublin’s Music Champion: Eugene Connolly Interview Part 1

Very very few people have seen more gigs in Dublin than Eugene Connolly. Ever since her saw some of the most vital of the early punk gigs he's been a passionate fan of live music. He was one of the early supporters of the Blades, Eugene and later Aslan and was one of the teenage … Continue reading “The Ramones changed my life” Dublin’s Music Champion: Eugene Connolly Interview Part 1

Punk for Life: The Incredible story of Dick Purdy and the Dublin punk/DIY/new wave scene.

Dick Purdy was a member of one of the most legendary of Dublin bands, the Skank Mooks. They didn't last long but they made a mark on the local music scene with their punk attitude of 'why can't we do it?' They played in the very legendary gig at Anthony's Hall in November 1978. A … Continue reading Punk for Life: The Incredible story of Dick Purdy and the Dublin punk/DIY/new wave scene.

George Purdy: The young Dubliner who championed punk, and young Irish bands, in the early years.

George Purdy: The behind-the-scenes spokesman for Ireland's punk/new wave generation.   This was a particularly thrilling interview for me to do. I had heard so much about George Purdy from the people who were there......the people who were ready for new sounds and new styles in 1977 Dublin. I had seen him at so many … Continue reading George Purdy: The young Dubliner who championed punk, and young Irish bands, in the early years.

Interview: Dublin D.J. Jen Healy

My favourite DJ on the Dublin scene is Jen Healy. I am always amazed by how she combines old and new, mod and punk, funk, pop and even a bit of rock. I've seen her pack dancefloors in many clubs, although she seemed to have hit her stride in the Saturday night spot in the … Continue reading Interview: Dublin D.J. Jen Healy

Thursday Tunes. Guest DJ: Paddy McPoland

Thursday’s Tunes Guest DJ: Paddy McPoland You want some folk with your punk, punk? When Paddy McPoland was asked to list his five favourite Irish singles, naturally he delivered a list of 15! We like rulebreakers here at the Hope fanzine, so here is Paddy’s list in full. What is interesting is how it spans … Continue reading Thursday Tunes. Guest DJ: Paddy McPoland

Album of the Year. Trouble Pilgrims ‘Dark Shadows and Rust’

        Dublin 1976-’77. Bleak, uncompromising and unpromising. The price for looking even a little bit different is getting your head kicked in. Conform, conform, conform was the motto of the time. A motto so ingrained in us that it didn’t have to be spoken out loud. Then came the early angry shouts … Continue reading Album of the Year. Trouble Pilgrims ‘Dark Shadows and Rust’

Paddy McPoland from Carlow RTC Ents Officer to World Tours

In the 1980s Paddy McPoland made an impression on the Irish music scene. He brought bands including Something Happens!, Aslan, A House and Light A Big Fire to Carlow for some of their first gigs outside Dublin. As such, we has responsible for giving opportunities for these Dublin bands to develop a national audience. Later … Continue reading Paddy McPoland from Carlow RTC Ents Officer to World Tours