So after completing 27 books in 2016 with a target of 52 I set myself a more realistic target of a book a fortnight for 2017. I was hoping for one a week but thought once a fortnight for a new book would be more manageable. The first book I got through was one we … Continue reading 2017 – A Year in Books
First Fortnight returns for 2018 https://youtu.be/IBlWbUhllbc First Fortnight is a charity that challenges mental health prejudice through arts and cultural action. Its AIMS & OBJECTIVES are to Make the First Fortnight of each year synonymous with mental health awareness, challenging prejudice and ending stigma. They do this by Creating a consistent space in the cultural … Continue reading Dublin First Fortnight Festival
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
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.
It's all about Peter McVerry Trust this week Nurse Diesel features three members of 90s rock dopes Pet Lamb When bastard cancer took Grant Hart last September we were, still are, shocked to lose a hero of ours so young. As massive Husker Du fans we were thinking about his contribution to the Du and … Continue reading Upcoming Gigs – December 18 -24
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
It's Christmas so we are all in benevolent mood and a hugely important event is on this friday which means a lot to anyone around the edge of the Dublin punk scene. Run On's, objectorz and stoat are playing in drop Dead Twice Tap Room in a very personal benefit for oureoin. Here's a message … Continue reading Upcoming Gigs – December 11 – 17
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
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
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.
