“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

Dublin Rock’s Gentleman Drummer: Johnny Bonnie Interview. Part 1

Now with the excellent Trouble Pilgrims, Johnny Bonnie had never played drums until he got together with Dick Purdy, Paul Woodful and what became the Skank Mooks. Since then he has drummed with over thirty Dublin bands, which surely is some kind of record. He is also one of the genuine good guys in the local scene, … Continue reading Dublin Rock’s Gentleman Drummer: Johnny Bonnie Interview. Part 1

Protex Interview

Protex were one of the great pop-punk bands from Northern Ireland during the first rush of punk/new wave. To me they were just as exciting as the Undertones, SLF, the Outcasts and the brilliant Rudi. Don't get me wrong,I loved those bands, but I loved Protex just as much. I remember my brother buying me … Continue reading Protex Interview

The Winter Passing – interview

I've been listening to The Winter Passing for a couple of years now, ever since they played We Shall Overcome night in 2015. Their hardcore pop tunes have hooks, tunes and resilience. Imagine if your friends were in a band and when you went to see them it was a gathering of your tribe. That's … Continue reading The Winter Passing – interview

Knocking Shop – interview

Dublin based band the Knocking Shop are back playing sporadic gigs after 20 years. They had a place in an emerging independent scene in Dublin that wore guitars on heart. They have been described as a punk Leonard Cohen or the Fall wrestling with Go Betweens. They will be bringing their understated yet underestimated style … Continue reading Knocking Shop – interview

Steve Mack Interview. Stag, That Petrol Emotion and the US punk scene.

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x75EdTZi_5E       This was a particularly exciting interview for me. That Petrol Emotion were one of the greatest live acts of all time, and their records captured their musicality, originality, fun, ambition, enthusiasm and ability to construct amazing unique songs. When I mentioned to one of the stalwarts of Ireland’s independent rock … Continue reading Steve Mack Interview. Stag, That Petrol Emotion and the US punk scene.

Pete Holidai Interview

It is important for irish punk to be championed with all the other anniversaries this year. It is 40 years since the release of Ireland's first punk record, on chiswick records, tv tube heart, The radiators from space were our trailblazers back then.  Chiswick imprint Ace records has just re-released that debut album so I … Continue reading Pete Holidai Interview

GRIT interview

Dublin Oi Punk DIY band Grit have been doing the rounds for over a year now.  Their fast snappy tunes almost coming across like an Oi X Ray Spex at times have seen the light of day on vinyl a couple of times on Distro-y-records.  They are a feature of the DIY scene throughout Ireland … Continue reading GRIT interview

I Am A Carcrash Interview

  The couple of times I've seen I am a car crash live have been challenging experiences. Definitely more post thank punk and angular rhythms aplenty but tunes sneaking in the back door. Once or twice I have been rocked from my comfort zone, unsure of where John is going with his lyrics. In anticipation … Continue reading I Am A Carcrash Interview