Saving J, who were my guests at the weekend have posted the video for their new single Kick Off online.

Saving J were my guests in studio tonight to talk about their new single 'Kick Off.' I also reintroduced the Interesting Fact competition to win a grab bag of CDs. Some dubious entries, such as "Did you know that if a penguin sees and aircraft flying overhead it will fall over", some topical like "The euro cup final finished 1-0 for 6 years from 1978-83", but the winner came from Grainne in Clonmel who informed us that the strawberry is a cousin of the rose . Fragaria Virginiana of the Roseaceae family. Didn't know that one! Nowferya!!!

6-7PM
01. Give it a Chance - Floyd Soul & The Wolf
02. Apple in an Orchard - Jape
03. When You Sleep - My Bloody Valentine
04. Fever - Mundy
05. 2 x 1 - Jenny Lindfors
06. 99 Problems - Jay Z/The Beatles (Dangermouse Grey Album)
07. Kick Off - Saving J
** Interview with Saving J **
08. Valentine - Saving J
** Interview with Saving J **
09. Friend or Foe - Saving J **LIVE**
10. Death Threats - The Mighty Stef

7-8PM
01. Sometime Global - Fight Like Apes
02. Are You Not Wanting Me Yet? - The Aftermath
03. The Steady Song - Republic of Loose
04. No Wit Can Save Me Now - Deaf Animal Orchestra
05. Supergirl - Electric Penguins
06. 1981 - The Flaws
07. Never Talk - Ham Sandwich
08. Broken Wing - Clive Barnes
09. Medal - Halves
10. Back to Back - Cars in Walls
11. Conversation Killer - The Distractors
12. Party On - Damien Dempsey
13. How Soon is Now - The Smiths

Katie Kim was in for Rob tonight and this is what she played:

6-7pm
1. Fight Like Apes - Something Global
2. Robotnik - People Walk Away
3. Si Schroeder - Eyes Wide Shut
4. Ann Scott - Skin Deep
5. Johnny Flynn - Tickle Me Pink
6. My Bloody Valentine - Only Shallow
7. John Haggis - This is for my Love
8. Rollerskate Skinny - Cradle Burns
9. The Things - La La La
10. Jape - I Was a Man
11. Ham Sandwich - Never Talk
12. Ugly Megan - One Night at my House

7-8pm
1. Goodtime John - Arrows
2. Fred - Skyscrapers
3. Channel One - Beneath a Field of Steel
4. Dry County - Attention
5. Republic of Loose - Comeback Girl (Snow Patrol remix)
6. Autamata feat Cathy Davey - Cloudseekers
7. Cars in Walls feat Nina Hynes - Teacup
8. Sunday Morning - No Dreams No Dopamine (Dave Grimes remix )
9. Deaf Animal Orchestra - No Wit Can Save Me Now
10. Gemma Hayes - Home
11. Sweet Jane - Makin it Hard
12. SPR - Snowflake
13. Lisa Hannigan - Lille (demo)

Counter-culture comedian George Carlin sadly passed away yesterday. He was 71.

Following the success of their two EP's in 2007, Fight Like Apes will digitally release their brand new single Something Global on July 13th 2008 on new Irish label Model Citizen. Fifteen hundred numbered copies of the single will also be made available as a limited edition CD on July 18th 2008.

Recorded in Seattle and produced by John Goodmanson (Death Cab For Cutie, Wu Tang Clan, Los Campesinos, Sleater-Kinney, Bikini Kill, Nada Surf), Something Global is a three-minute blast of electronic punk rock, which captures the energy of FLA's already legendary live performances. Also featured is their version of Mclusky's Lightsabre Cocksucking Blues (a live favourite) and another new Apes' song - Knucklehead.

Hailing from Dublin, and weighing in at over six hundred pounds, Fight Like Apes combine the synth with the sword in a heroic combination of loutish vocals, brutal bass and digital distortion. Formed in 2006 with the simple intention of scaring audiences with 'poppy songs played so obnoxiously that everybody leaves', Fight Like Apes are: MayKay (vocals, keyboards), Pockets (keyboards, backing vocals), Tom (bass, backing vocals) and Adrian (drums).

Fight Like Apes will play the Glastonbury Late n Live stage on June 27, the Glastonbury BBC Radio 1 Introducing Stage on June 28, T in the Park on July 12, Oxegen on July 13, and both Indie-pendence and Castlepalooza on the August Bank Holiday weekend. An nationwide Irish tour will follow - dates to be announced.

Something Global will release online on July 13th and in all good record stores from July 18th on Model Citizen. To pre-oder the single by text message for 1 euro just text 'MUSIC 1224' to 57501.

Gorey's Jimi Cullen was my guest in studio this evening to talk about his new album 'Junkyard Poet.' The second hour of the show was given over to playing album tracks from some of my favourite recent Irish releases. Infomatics, Jape, Crayonsmith, Robotnik, Gemma Hayes - they're all in there.

6-7PM
01. Something Global - Fight Like Apes
02. Give It A Chance - Floyd Soul & The Wolf
03. We The People (Who are Darker than Most) - Sinead O'Connor & Republic of Loose
04. Magnet Line - Isan & Jeff Martin
05. Sailing on a Gun - The Tripps
06. Tomorrow's Child - Jimi Cullen
** Interview with Jimi Cullen **
07. Realistic Love Song - Jimi Cullen
** Interview with Jimi Cullen **
08. Butterfly - Jimi Cullen **LIVE**
09. Conspiracy - Stephen Hill
10. Hollywood - Gary Dunne
11. One Night at My House - Ugly Megan

7-8PM
01. Mr. Kill - Cathy Davey
02. 16 Going on 63 - Crayonsmith
03. You'll Get By - The Infomatics
04. The Day I Forgot My Mantra - Giveamanakick
05. Michael Grady Went to Mexico - Robotnik
06. Sad Songs - Ham Sandwich
07. Don't Forget - Gemma Hayes
08. Death Song - Fred
09. Troubled Water - Liam Merriman
10. Why Things Break - Joe Chester
11. Medal - Halves
12. Neon - Delorentos
13. Nothing Lasts Forever - Jape
14. Serotonin - Simple Kid

Enniscorthy's Issue-72 were this evening's studio guests and I also spoke to Angela Dorgan from Hard Working Class Heroes about this year's festival. Played a smorgasboard of music too including new ones from Fight Like Apes, Rory (formerly of the Revs) , Fighting Spiders and Ugly Megan.

6-7PM
01. She's Got Class - Jaded Sun
02. Sugar Shake the Cool Away - You're Only Massive
03. Leeches - Fighting Spiders
04. People Walk Away - Robotnik
05. Back of My Hand - Gemma Hayes
06. Free World - Tom Moorhouse
** Interview with Issue-72 **
07. Halo - Issue-72 **LIVE**
** Interview with Issue-72 **
08. Coming Down - Issue-72
09. Not on Your Side - Ian Whitty
10. Rain Dancer - Rory
11. Messing With the Kid - Rory Gallagher

7-8PM
01. Dead Record in a Vinyl Desert - Good Tiger
02. Ido's Dog Fight - Theo and the Red Beats
03. One Night at My House - Ugly Megan
04. Gone to Sea - New Amusement
** Interview with Angela Dorgan (Hard Working Class Heroes) **
05. Something Global - Fight Like Apes
06. The Steady Song - Republic of Loose
07. Cloud Seekers - Autamata feat Cathy Davey
08. I Was a Man - Jape
09. The Bodies Start to Move - Joe Chester
10. No Wit Can Save Me Now - Deaf Animal Orchestra
11. Steve Austin - Acrojunk
12. Jolene - Dolly Parton

Those handsome devils from Acrojunk and the screaming simians from Deaf Animal Orchestra will be making much noise and pomp in Kilkenny's Pumphouse this evening. If you're around, do come and join us ...

The podcasts are now back up and running! Those responsible for the loss of service have been harshly punished and have been banished to the coldest parts of Siberia to think about what they've done.

All the existing podcasts are back online - the backlog of new ones (including Red Eye Society, Floyd Soul and the Wolf, Ugly Megan & Simon Fagan) will be published shortly.

We apologise for any inconvenience this has caused and hope you will continue to fly Irish Beats.

Update 21/06/2008: The shaggin' things are gone again. Can't publish any new ones at the moment. Pain in the proverbial. I shall endeavor to resolve this. All of the aforementioned podcasts are edited and ready to go - alas, they've nowhere to live! Grrrrrrrrrrr ........

Last Saturday saw Rory Gallagher's 13th anniversary, who sadly passed away on the 14th June 1995. He is regarded as one of the the greatest guitarists of all time and certainly one of the most fascinating musical exports Ireland has ever produced. While I've certainly worn out one or two of his records from over-playing in my time, unfortunately I never had the chance to see him live, which I'm reliably informed was the ONLY WAY to experience Rory Gallagher.

A pixelated YouTube video will have to do ...

Ugly Megan were in this evening for some studio hi-jinks, as well as an interview with the legend that is Eleanor McEvoy. If that wasn't enough, Katie Kim lent her dulcet tones to the microphone by co-hosting the show with Rob! Plenty of music too!

6-7PM
01. L'il King Kong - Simple Kid
02. Pony - Dirty Epics
03. Fallen From the Sky - Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova
04. Attention - Dry County
05. Take Me Away - Pugwash
06. One Night At My House
** Interview with Ugly Megan **
07. The High Life (Check That Ass Out) - Ugly Megan
08. Title Unknown - The Skin Were In
09. Pony Tears - David Turpin
10. I Like Music - Republic of Loose
11. Joxer Goes to Stuttgart - Christy Moore

7-8PM
01. Bone Deep - The Walls
02. Love Must Be Tough - Eleanor McEvoy
** Interview with Eleanor McEvoy **
03. Mother's Little Helper - Eleanor McEvoy
04. Death Threats - The Mighty Stef
05. Predictable - The Red Eye Society
06. We Bleed the Blood of Androids - Le Galaxie
07. Skyscrapers - Fred
08. Don't Forget - Gemma Hayes
09. Hollywood - Gary Dunne
10. On the Skyline - Super Extra Bonus Party feat Nina Hynes
11. Showbiz Blues - Rory Gallagher

This evening's show featured the usual mix of tunes and talk, with the pride of Navan (if such a thing can exist) Simon Fagan sitting in for most of the broadcast, passing witty comments, sharing stories of his adventures with the stars and generally being downright entertaining. Tonight also marked the 13th anniversary of Rory Gallagher's passing and it would've been remiss of Irish Beats not to feature a track from one of the finest musicians this country has ever produced.

6-7PM
01. The Steady Song - Republic of Loose
02. Death Song - Fred
03. Realistic Love Song - Jimi Cullen
04. What You All About - Autamata
05. I Was a Man - Jape
06. Kick Off - Saving J
07. Conversation Killer - The Distractors
08. Slowly Fizzy - Juno Falls
09. Sailing on a Gun- The Tripps
10. Mother's Little Helper - Eleanor McEvoy
11. Country Bumpkin - Wallis Bird
12. Dead Record in a Vinyl Desert - Good Tiger

7-8PM
01. Never Talk - Ham Sandwich
** Interview with Simon Fagan **
02. Bring the Dance - Simon Fagan
** Interview with Simon Fagan **
03. Never Really Cried - Simon Fagan
04. Fake Smiles - Simon Fagan ** LIVE **
05. Be With You - Director
06. The Bodies Start to Move - Joe Chester
07. Little Messy - Grand Pocket Orchestra
08. I Live With Bruce Banner - Hope is Noise
09. People Walk Away - Robotnik
10. Cradle Rock - Rory Gallagher

Had a very moody second half this evening -but that doesn't mean Irish Beats has gone all "emo." Some sad songs, happy songs, angry songs and of then some that are full of hope. I'm not sure what put me in this humour - maybe it's global warming????

6-7PM
01. I Was a Man - Jape
02. The Steady Song - Republic of Loose
03. Death Threats - The Mighty Stef
04. No Wit Can Save Me Now - Deaf Animal Orchestra
05. Predictable - The Red Eye Society
06. One - Fiona Melady
07. The Day The You Were Born - Iarla O'Lionaird
** Interview with Iarla O'Lionaird **
08. Lovers of Light - Afro Celt Sound System
** Interview with Yurodny **
09. Miserable Hora - Yurodny
10. Mother - Maria Doyle Kennedy
11. Skyscrapers - Fred

7-8PM
01. Lost in the Forest - Crayonsmith
02. Neon - Delorentos
03. Cloudseekers - Autamata feat Cathy Davey
04. Big Deal - Ashley Sheehan & The Mute
05. Never Talk - Ham Sandwich
06. Dancing Barefoot - U2
07. Gone Out - Green Lights
08. Song For You - Pugwash
09. This is For My Love - John Haggis & Friends
10. Big Sad Eyes - The Immediate
11. If You Want Me - Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova
12. In a Deck of 52 - 66e
13. God and the Girl - Carly Sings
14. Nothin Lasts Forever - Jape

National Student Music Awards winners Floyd Soul & The Wolf live in the Beat studios and the sun shining LIVE outside.

6-7PM
01. Breadcrumb Trail - Chaplin
02. Gone to Sea - New Amusement
03. God and the Girl - Carly Sings
04. Magnet Line - Isan (Jeff Martin remix)
05. People Walk Away - Robotnik
06. Give it a Chance - Floyd Soul & The Wolf
** Interview with Floyd Soul & The Wolf **
07. I Am The Room - Floyd Soul & The Wolf
** Interview with Floyd Soul & The Wolf **
08. Absinthe - Floyd Soul & The Wolf ** LIVE **
09. Skyscrapers - Fred
10. Don't Forget - Gemma Hayes

7-8PM
01. This is the End - The Future Kings of Spain
02. I Was a Man - Jape
03. After All That's Happened - Niall Colfer
04. Days Without Paracetemol - Snow Patrol
05. Sticky Fingers - Dae Kim
06. Ghost for You - Doug Sheridan
07. I Like Music - Republic of Loose
08. Flutter & Wow - Nina Hynes & The Husbands
09. Rhythm & Purpose - Channel One
10. Getchoo - Hybrasil
11. Ramalama - Roisin Murphy
12. We Bleed the Blood of Androids - Le Galaxie
13. Brainwashed by Dublin Rock - Atlantean
14. Jeta's Place - The Jimmy Cake

This Friday the 13th sees a special performance by Laminate, The Skins and guests in Cleere's Theatre as the curtain falls on one of the country's most highly charged and respected independent acts.

Energetic rock three-piece Laminate (Wexford) are no strangers to the Kilkenny music scene. It's been almost a year to the day since they last played locally, performing an outstanding set last June 16th to a packed house in the old ID venue. Although they were in preparation for one final EP release, the band effectively called it a day last December.

However, not to disappoint their fans in the Southeast, the Wexford trio have organised one final round of gigs this coming weekend with Kilkenny being the first stop on the list. "We had to come back to Kilkenny and hook up with everyone again", says front-man Derren Dempsey, "Every single time has been great. We're hoping we'll have the new CD with us too as a farewell gift". The fact that the band are drawing a line under their career as Laminate is certain to disappoint many but for one final night, local fans will have the chance to hear tracks such as 'Tom Petty', 'Always' and crowd favourite 'Paper' which organisers claim "nearly took the house down last year" in the small upstairs (evidence to which can be found on YouTube).

"At the Christmas Party a few years ago they came in and just blew everyone away. The band are an example of rock music at it's finest in Ireland", mentions KKM's Ken McGuire.

Laminate started out as a side project for Derren Demspey (ex-Wilt, Halite) in Wexford in 2003 before evolving into the powerhouse it became in 2006 alongside Harvey (drums) and Johnny Fox (bass).

They recorded a three track demo in Grouse Lodge (famed for having hosted Muse & The Manic Street Preachers among others) which was well received by Kerrang! Magazine, and received an impressive 9 out of 10 in Rock Sound Magazine with Ken McGrath describing the band as "A cross between Jimmy Eat World and Weezer, with some Queens of the Stone Age thrown in for good measure."

Laminate's ever evolving sound has been described in many ways, with some calling it punk rock, others saying it's too melodic to be punk, and some seeing it simply as an eclectic blend of heavy rock music - as long as the audience can take something from the songs, the band don't care how its labelled. The band are well known for putting "absolutely everything" they have into their live sets and this weekend will be no different, the band delighted to come back for "one last hoedown" in their adopted home.

Joining Laminate on the night are Dublin three piece The Skins featuring Kilkenny man Keith O'Neill. This alternative rock band were formed back in 2004 and comprise of Aaron Gaffey (guitar / vocals), Keith O'Neill (bass) and Riche Mason (drums). Good friends of Laminate, the band's music has been described as "riff based alternative stoner rock, with a mixture of time signatures", the description drawing on the fact the band hail influences as varied as The Who, Thin Lizzy, Mastadon, Lamb Of God, Eric Clapton and Queens of the Stone Age.

Doors open this Friday night (13th) in Cleere's at 9:30pm with the first act taking to the stage for 10pm. Admission is just five Euro with more gig details available on www.kilkennymusic.com. This will be the last and final time Laminate will be seen in Kilkenny so organisers are urging fans not to miss out.

Acts also appearing with KilkennyMusic.com this month include Travega, Dirty Epics, Joe Cleere, Evan Prendergast (all June 19th) and The Guggenheim Grotto (June 28th).

May 2008: Ian Fleming and Alan Hennessey from Murphy's Live finalists Gorbachov were in studio with Rob to discuss their forthcoming album, James Bond and their plans for world domination.

Download MP3 (32.3 MB)

If you're looking for some new music and at a loss for something to buy, here's a few Irish albums from the month of May that I think are worth parting with your hard-earned for ....

1. Go God Go - Fred. It's pop, it's soul, they rock and they roll. Simply brilliant. GET IT NOW!
2. The Hollow of the Morning - Gemma Hayes. Some wonderful downbeat shoegazing moments on this record. 'Don't Forget' is one of the most hypnotic tunes I've heard in ages.
3. Welcome to the Cusp - Giveamanakick. Welcome to the world of Giveamanakick. Angry, poignant, hopeful, evil, beautiful but above all, downright noisey!
4. Jape - Ritual. Melodic + Electronica = Meledotronica
5. Pleasant Street - Robotnik. A smorgasbord of sounds on this debut album. It might be a tad overlong, but quality and quantity both come in healthy doses.
6. Haunt Me When I'm Drowsy - Halves. Comparisons with Sigur Ros are easy, but there's a lot more going on here than simple Hopelandic clones. Beautiful music.

And some singles. EPs and downloads of note:

1. Little Messy - Grand Pocket Orchestra. It's free from here so you've no excuse.
2. After All That's Happened - Niall Colfer. Former Salthouse man finally releases this gem!
3. O My Love! O My God - Dead Flags. Gospelly, punk, modern alternative rock. Too many labels?
4. God and the Girl - Carly Sings. The album 'The Glove Thief' will be released soon and if this single is anything to go by, it'll be a contender for album of the year.

And those were the votes of the Irish Beats duty. Back to you Serbia!

Wexford might be able to win the football, Waterford may have the potential to win the hurling, but Irish Beats comes out tops when it comes to music. The Red Eye Society were my guests this evening ...

6-7PM
01. I Was a Man - Jape
02. Never Talk - Ham Sandwich
03. O My Love! O My God - The Dead Flags
** Interview with The Red Eye Society **
04. Predictable - The Red Eye Society
** Interview with The Red Eye Society **
05. Rolling Dice - Neil White
06. Tuesday - Mark Geary
** Interview with The Red Eye Society **
07. Amelia - The Red Eye Society
08. Little Messy - Grand Pocket Orchestra
09. God and the Girl - Carly Sings
10. Waiting - Delorentos
11. Slow Puncture - Dark Room Notes

7-8PM
01. Skyscrapers - Fred
02. Out of Our Hands - Gemma Hayes
03. Slowly Fizzy - Juno Falls
04. All Together Now - Deaf Animal Orchestra
** Interview with Denise Kienzle **
05. I Got You On My Mind - John Haggis & Friends
06. Michael Grady Went to Mexico - Robotnik
07. Sligo Town - Willie Kelly
08. The Day I Forgot My Mantra - Giveamanakick
09. Song For You - Pugwash
10. The Social Life - Jilted
11. The Day That You Were Born - Iarla O'Lionard
12. Imagination - Armoured Bear
13. Binary Love - Hybrasil
14. Steve Austin - Acrojunk

Sun sun sun sun sun sun sun sun .... set myself the task of playing 15 songs in the second hour of the show, which I'm delighted to say was achieved! A few classics in there too - go on THE STUNNING!!!!

6-7PM
01. Step Into The Sunshine Baby Alright - Neosupervital
02. L'il King Kong - Simple Kid
03. This is Not a Test - Oppenheimer
04. Dead Record in a Vinyl Desert - Good Tiger
05. Moving - Cathy Davey
06. 1981 - The Flaws
07. Hollywood - Gary Dunne
08. After All That's Happened - Niall Colfer
** Interview with Niall Colfer **
09. Country Bumpkin - Wallis Bird
10. Mandinka - Sinead O'Connor
11. Mysterious Ways - U2
12. Galways Girl - Mundy & Sharon Shannon

7-8PM
01. Lazarus - Jack L
02. Cloudseekers - Autamata
03. Waiting - Delorentos
04. Mr. Farenheit - Gorbachov
05. Facing Down - Pocket Promise
06. Little Messy - Grand Pocket Orchestra
07. I Like Music - Republic of Loose
08. Alphabet Soup - Bell X1
09. Don't Forget - Gemma Hayes
10. 42 West Avenue - Cashier No. 9
11. Skyscrapers - Fred
12. At the Sea - Gorbachov
13. Everything that Rises - The Stunning
14. A Smile'd Crack Your Face - The Kinetiks
15. Proud Mary - Joe Dolan