Hope show the sixth

I've had an intersting week. I am finally settling ijn to my new house and the dust is getting a bit clearer. This week was union activity week and we were looking at ways our union can reach out to members. It is hard to find actions that say YOU are the union, get involved … Continue reading Hope show the sixth

Hope show Number 3 now up

The third instalment of the Hope Radio show is now up on Radioactive http://radioactiveinternational.org/hope-show-number-3/ Playlist as follows 1. Josephine - Flies On You - "You wouldn't want a holiday in my head, well I wouldn't want one in yours either" 2. Thou Shalt Always Kill - Dan Le Sac vs Scroobius Pip 3. White Colonial … Continue reading Hope show Number 3 now up

Paranoid Visions – Escape from The Austerity Complex (Overground Records)

Paranoid Visions - Escape From the Austerity Complex (Overground Records) Haunting start - I sit here typing this review in to a computer nearly 30 years after seeing Paranoid Visions for the first time.  It's a debut I will never forget.  My journey started at the bus stop with my bro who was the instigator … Continue reading Paranoid Visions – Escape from The Austerity Complex (Overground Records)

Flies On You – Nothing To Write Home About

Flies On You - Nothing to write Home About I Love that bass sound. It's like JJ burnell from the Stranglers has joined nomeansno. I have this album on loop for a few days and Am loving it. I remember a world of compilation tapes and hand written letters we mailed to each other. I … Continue reading Flies On You – Nothing To Write Home About

Bands that changed a life Pt 2 – FUGAZI

I've been thinking about this piece for a long time. How can I find the exact words to stress just how important FUGAZI were. Important in that they lead the way for my diy generation. I was involved in putting gigs in Dublin for a number of years. I played in a band and when … Continue reading Bands that changed a life Pt 2 – FUGAZI

Flowers, sandblasting, Burma, Bahrain and Colombia – Day 2 Global Solidarity Summer School 2012

Day 2 started on a much more somber note than out introduction. I had heard about Bahrain in the context of the Arab sprin last year but have been ignorant of its events since then. Tara o Grady from Bravo (Bahrain rehabilitation anti violence organisation ) gave a heartfelt appeal to our conscience.  Bahrain is … Continue reading Flowers, sandblasting, Burma, Bahrain and Colombia – Day 2 Global Solidarity Summer School 2012

Ireland’s Oddest Pop Stars Pt1

Michael Landers I was delighted to see a mention of Michael Landers on the excellent BrandNewRetro site. They have some really great scans of early Irish pop music magazines like Heat and Spotlight. It is always well worth a visit. http://brandnewretro.ie/2012/04/24/old-adverts-65-youngest-recording-artist-in-the-world-1971/ In 1971 a new face appeared in the Irish pop charts. He took to … Continue reading Ireland’s Oddest Pop Stars Pt1

Global Solidarity Summer School – day 1

"Knowledge is power and I'm looking forward to bathing in know,edge and spreading it after the weekend" is how ICTU President Eugene McGlone ended his welcome address today at the 4th annual Global solidarity summer school in Wexford. Eugene's words came after Minister of State Joe Costello opened the summer school with words about his … Continue reading Global Solidarity Summer School – day 1

Bands that changed a life – New model army

  New model army It's almost impossible when thinking or reminiscing about the modellers not to look back on their top of the pops appearance.  Lead singer slade the leveller appeared dressed fashionably in his "only stupid b#####ds use heroin" t-shirt. Confrontational anarcho punks conflict then amended this slogan to proclaim that "only stupid b#####ds … Continue reading Bands that changed a life – New model army

Not only boxing at the Stadium

When Rock n Roll came to Ireland! The National Stadium was there! This is a great one. Front page of the Irish Press, November 19th 1956. It is one of the first, probably the first, rock n roll gig in Southern Ireland. I like the description of the crowd response: “The performances were punctuated by … Continue reading Not only boxing at the Stadium