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

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

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’

Jello Biafra and John Lydon…the punk jesters.

The punk jesters Jello Biafra and the Guantanamo School of Medicine came to Dublin this week and they entertained a large and receptive crowd in the Button Factory. When I say 'they came to Dublin' I actually mean that some promoter brought them over and make it happen....in this case, as Jello acknowledged from the … Continue reading Jello Biafra and John Lydon…the punk jesters.

Hidden City – Adventures and Explorations in Dublin by Karl Whitney

Hidden City - Adventures and Explorations in Dublin by Bus, Train and Tram: In the Sewers and Underground Rivers; Along the edges and behind the hoardings Karl Whitney Penguin Books No this makes for an interesting tale or two. Dublin behind the scenes. Karl has put together a tourist book with a twist, Dublin beyond … Continue reading Hidden City – Adventures and Explorations in Dublin by Karl Whitney