Since debuting in 2011, Cork noisemakers Iweriu have very quietly been working on their first proper release, simply entitled Demo. Foreboding, heavy, yet experimental in nature, the group, composed of Cork metal and noise veterans, including former members of Days of Night, have finally seen fit to unleash the three-track outing after an extended period in production.

The effort on these, the second versions of each of these tracks (the first on the now-discontinued Promo), shows, with the atmospherics and paranoia surrounding the tracks positively (or negatively?) amplified, the cacophony and slow, grinding pace simply clarified rather than polished, absurdly leading to an even more obfuscating experience.

Stream and download the demo in the widget below. 

To launch the demo officially, Iweriu play a headline set on the 14th of July at Fredz, with Vacuumface and one more to support. Us lot will be downstairs spinning tracks also. Poster and such available shortly.

This is a bit of strange one for us here at the D. But in the spirit of being open to all forms of beautiful music, we feel it’s our duty to inform you if this little event. Well, maybe it’s not so little…

Alarm Will Sound, a 20-piece musical ensemble that take famous works of music, be that classical, jazz, contemporary or pop, and meld it together with their own unique brand of visuals, dancers, and what ever else takes their fancy. Alarm Will Sound will hit the Opera House on Wednesday June 6th next, and this time round they’ll be tackling the music of John Cage.

Specifically they’ll be taking on ‘Song Books‘, the legendary composer’s assembled works of musical-theatre, and combining it with theatrics and multiple facets of multimedia. It promises to be a mind-melting evening. Tickets are still available from the Opera House Box Office for the sum of €26, but we here at Drop-D will be running a competition early next week for a set of tickets! So stay tuned!

The first single released earlier in the year ‘White Lightning’ opens Electric Soup and sets the tone for the remainder; an upgraded Crow Black Chicken introduce their album confidently with self-assured intonation and a bluesy swagger that wouldn’t sound out of place in decades past, albeit a sound that is unique to the Irish music scene right now.

Without re-hashing what others will surely have to say about this band, Christy O’Hanlon’s vocals could grate cheese; his range and devotion to the genre are applaudable and apparent on every track of this album. No more ZZ Top references, no more Rory Gallagher references; this is simply Crow Black Chicken.

The rhythmic grooves of ‘Skin Deep‘ are the second offering on this debut from Clonmel/Cork band. Minimalistic and meticulous in arrangement, the product is a song that dares you not to move and then asks “Come on baby?”. This is one of the sexiest songs an Irish band has produced in this writer’s opinion; Steve McGrath’s bass lines command a seduction that accompanied by three solos and a beautiful Wah filled bridge makes this track a regular crowd-pleaser at live shows.

A sturdy bass line opens ‘Pourin’ Down’, soon to be accompanied by drums and electric guitar in some Zeppelin-esque musical tri-force of effects laden, laid back rock and roll. Recorded in a small cottage in the Comeragh Mountains, the guys approached this record with a mind to capture the essence of Crow Black Chicken; disregarding the usual approach their decision to record everything live at the same time has given this album a beautifully nostalgic sound with the paramount, Philip McGee adding his own expertise to mixing and producing.

My favourite from the album was apparently very nearly not included on Electric Soup at all. A beautifully poignant moment only four tracks into the album, ‘Epitaph’. Christie’s vocals are exceptionally moving and it, “you know you’ll always be alone” it shows a facet of CBC that I had not encountered to date; an affecting tracks that progresses through various sub-genres of blues rock to find itself touching upon various themes and lyrical notions.

Crunchy guitars, domineering bass lines and solid drum beats give ‘Charlie’s Women’ the essence of an amazing blues song. John Lee Wee follows the same line with Gev barrets drums supplying a force to match Christie’s vocals. What was surprising on first listen was how the most simplistic ideas and riffs can be applied by the right people and just ascend to new heights of musical power.

The title track ‘Electric Soup’ is a fantastically intricate song which immediately sounds complicated and emanates that traditional blues. I’ve said it previously, if Crow Black Chicken existed in the eighties, they would have provided the soundtracks to the coolest movies; Patrick Swayze and Co. would probably have enchanted even more women with the help of Christy, Steve and Gev. The endearing words of Christy bring a smile to everyone’s face at the end; in a Helter Skelter ‘blisters on me fingers’ style:  “Fuck it, I hope that’s it now!”

‘Bijoue Creole’ has a certain New Orleans feel for it, an almost swing rhythm and staggered guitar offsets the albums tone so far but only the six minute duration of the song; yeah, six minutes, in fact most of the tracks on this album hit the five minute mark if not longer. Slide guitar mixes up the chorus while innovative picking featuring harmonics and changing tones lets this track move around freely, it has a little something for everyone.

Recently released ‘Murmuration’ is one of the heavier tracks on the album and the video is impressive to say the least. The song is an aggressive mix of heavy rock with sludgy blues and yet another track which deals with murder; like those that came before it, it holds a tempo which indicates a standard progression until it takes off. I can imagine this thundering through a stereo with the top down and the pedal to the floor, a cruising song if ever there was one.

‘Lie Awake’ returns to a more restrained tenderness shown on Epitaph with lyrics such as, “You’re a shadow in a doorway, You’re a whisper in a wind, Gonna Lie Awake…”. The effortlessness of such a dramatic change is endearing and it only serves to prove that Crow Black Chicken can move from aggressive hard rock to charming and often touching blues that remind this reviewer of some of Knopfler’s more affecting works. And with an almost immediate end to the sincere felt emotions, a scream opens ‘The Drop’ and a tripartite attack ensues, each member commands a power on this album of which the other seems to have no control over; a battle of instruments all equally as authoritative, their masters all as skilfully adept, the result is a dexterous offering of Crow Black Chickens magnum opus.

The penultimate track, Flowers, sports one of my favourite solos from the album, laden in effects and conviction it leads nicely into ‘John The Revelator’. A song with as many years as there are cover versions and yet CBC‘s version is one of my favourite. I never particularly enjoyed the Nick Cave version and I admittedly probably The Blues Brothers version as they introduced the track to me. However, this version is indeed just as good and Christie’s intonation is nothing short of admirable. The guitar tone is solid and chunky while Gev adds a cadence that allows this track to transcend the gospel origins into a murky land of blues rock, cigarette smoke and whiskey haze.

Ending the album on such a well known track seems like a tip of the hat from Crow Black Chickens to their inspirations and it certainly concludes their debut confidently.

This album is one of the most impressive debuts this year and promises great things from a band who are already writing new material. Electric Soup is released June 1st nationwide and will be followed by a tour encompassing all towns and venues great and small.Check out their official website for gigs and free material or click here for their facebook.

Drop-d Rating: 9/10

Jonathan Pearson of Former Monarchs has released the first track under his new side project, North Side Drive. The blurb on the bandcamp page promises, “Piano, strings, electronics (sometimes)” and this definitely delivers on that front.

The track, titled one, is a slow building, melancholic beauty wherein strings dominate and a piano comes in mid-way to add to the soft textures the strings established. There’s not much else to say other than it’s definitely worth your time.

You can find it here and it’s name your price. So why not throw a few Euro his way for the trouble?

Jonathan is playing in the Roundy tonight with Tim Fitzgerald.

Cork’s post-punk quartet Dead School are set to release their new single ‘Incisions’ this Friday the 6th of April. Incisions is the third release in a set of singles they’ve recorded with Christian Best, drummer for Mick Flannery, and it comes at the end of an 11-date tour of the UK with touring partners The Frank and Walters, Whipping Boy, and Tieranniesaur.

Dead School have had a busy year. Aside from the two singles, Standing on the Edge and 3:17, the band struck out on a few national tours and picked up a slot at the Indiependence Festival last year. They’ve been improving their writing and live set during the last 12-months and have been building up their national profile so Incisions comes at the end of that process.

Incisions is as furious as the band’s previous work, and their playing on it is getting tighter and tighter. The melody leaves a bit to be desired, especially in the chorus, but still, it’s a very strong single. You can check it out for yourself below and you’ll be able to download it from iTunes from this Friday, the 6th of April.

Dead School will play an acoustic set on the Bowery Rooftop on Sunday April 22nd and you can keep up to date with them on their Facebook Page.

Superblondes are a newly formed and very intriguing band based in Clonmel who are soon to be adopted Cork residents. The released their debut EP a number of weeks ago and it slipped by us here at the D when it first came out. But never fear! We’re just about to rectify our lack of coverage. We regret it. Because it’s a very strong first foot forward.

The EP opens with Can’t Do It Alone, and cheesy alt-rock gives way to bright ‘First Impressions of Earth’ era Strokes. The sound is all there, from the bass to the drums to the vocals; it just screams New York in the mid 00s.

The band claim to have electronic leaning in their past and it comes across here as they infest the post-punk sound with ambient synths on the bridge of Can’t Do It Alone. The only drawback of this song for this reviewer is that cheesy intro guitar line, but the song branches out into something quite brilliant that they can be forgiven for that.

Hit It showcases more of the same; double timed hi-hats throughout, hooky little guitar injections and a soaring chorus it strikes at a similar heart to Can’t Do It Alone. There’s such a fullness to the EP that Superblondes’ sound really does jump out at you. Hit It is by no means ground-breaking as a song (although the brief shift in time signature at the end seem to try and prove this reviewer wrong), but it’s just remarkably well done.

Those Who Wait comes in as a moody counter point to the previous two tracks, but it still retains the depth and quiet euphoria of their style. Andre Kanchelis’s vocals really shine here, although they’ve been bright all along. It’s hard to pin down where his vocal style originates but needless to say, it’s phenomenal. His phrasing is delicate yet powerful, and he achieves a clarity seldom seen in bands at their level. A true talent.

Superblondes’ sound like a very balanced mix of The Strokes, The Killers and Phoenix, and they have to be applauded for that. It’s not to take from their originality; Superblondes take on that sound and make it their own. Whether the decision to emulate was conscious or unconscious, a lot of bands have failed to strike that elusive balance but Superblondes have pretty much perfected it.

Their debut EP is a very strong start for the band and we look forward to seeing what they come up with next. It’ll surely be one to check out.

Drop-D Rating – 7/10

Superblones take to the Crane Lane Theatre on April 2nd in support to Sweet Jane, and you can keep up to date with them on their Facebook here.

TUESDAY – March 6th

R.S.A.G. w/ Carried By Waves - The Crane Lane Theatre, Phoenix St., 11 p.m., Admission Free

R.S.A.G. aka Rarely Seen Above Ground aka Jeremy Hickey will take to the stage of The Crane Lane Theatre tonight with Ronan McCann aka Carried By Waves in support. Both bands are essentially one man shows and their approach to live performance is intriguing. Be sure to give them a look.

WEDNESDAY – March 7th

UCC Battle of the Bands Heat 5 - Cyprus Avenue, Caroline St., 9 p.m., Admission €5

Nearly there! UCC’s Live Music Society will hold the final heat of their Battle of the Bands in Cyprus Avenue on Wednesday evening. It’s a wildcard heat so anything goes. Stay tuned for the winners…

FRIDAY – March 9th

Echogram ‘Short Film Launch’ - The Roundy, Daunt Square, 9 p.m., Admission €5

Local electronic rock pioneers Echogram will be launching a short live performance film in the Roundy this Friday evening. The band will follow the film with an acoustic performance and their first ever DJ set. They’re also fundraising for their next trip to the US so head over and show your support.

SATURDAY – March 10th

The Ambience Affair – The Pavillion, Carey’s Lane, 9 p.m.. Admission Free

In support of their new album ‘Burial’ Indie/Acoustic three-piece The Ambience Affair take on the majesty of the Pavilion this Saturday night. They’ll also be in Myrtleville’s Pine Lodge on Sunday night as they round up the Cork end of their Spring tour.

Today marks the release of local group Tenonsaw’s new double A-side single ‘ASKOF/Sweet Little Mystery’. A cracking couple, the single is now available to download for free from their Bandcamp page here.

‘ASKOF’ is taken from the band’s first full-scale release ‘Beginnings’ which they put out late last year. The track is produced by Kevin J. Power of Versives. ‘ASKOF’ features a terribly enchanting vocal from lead singer Salt Erikson which combines with the piercing lyricism from chief songwriter Thomas Luke to bring out an electronic masterpiece. The song may have been recorded over a year ago, but its emotion hasn’t waned.

‘Sweet Little Mystery’ is a different kind of song altogether. Here Tenonsaw cover a ballad from one of their heroes, John Martyn, and give it their own little twist. At their heart, Tenonsaw are an electro-folk band and on ‘Sweet Little Mystery’ two of their biggest influences come together.

All in all the single promises to be a stand out moment in the band’s career so check it out now on Bandcamp and scope the video for ‘ASKOF’ below.

And stay tuned for a full feature from the band later on this week!

It’s no secret that we have a bee in our bonnet for Cork music, as one commentator has put it.

You can hardly blame us. If there’s one thing compiling the Cork Rock City albums has taught us, is that there’s an unbelievable depth to music Leeside, and more often than not we miss out on things here and there. We wish to put a stop to this abhorrent behaviour forthwith with the Cork Rock City Bandcamp page.

Bandcamp is an amazeballs format for damn sure. So easy, user-friendly and a pleasure to negotiate. So we’ve put all the Cork bands we can find on one index page for your benefit. The whole gamut of genres is represented and all submissions for inclusion are more than welcome.

If we’ve forgotten you, smarten us up in the comments below!

Cork Rock City.

Slim pickins this week for gigs in the Rebel County, but we’ve found some fine ones to tickle your tastebuds all the same. Check them out…

WEDNESDAY – 22nd February

Dead School w/ Half Man Part Bicycle – An Brog, Oliver Plunkett Street, 9 p.m., Admission Free

Cork’s hottest rockers Dead School take to the intimate, low-ceilinged Bróg this Wednesday for a free show before they take off on a UK tour two weeks from now. The band are much talked about, so head along and suss them out for yourself. Support from Half Man Part Bicycle.

FRIDAY – 24th February

MAKO w/ Versives and That Falling Feeling – Cyprus Avenue, Caroline St., 9 p.m. Admission €7

SATURDAY – 25th February 

Former Monarchs/ Hope Is Noise - The Pavillion, Carey’s Lane, 9 p.m. Admission Free

As they wind down their second UK tour in the last 4 months Former Monarchs take on the majesty of the Pavillion for a free show on Saturday night. Hope Is Noise come as support so this is not one to miss.

SUNDAY – 26th February

Tenonsaw w/ Torcan –  The Roundy, Castle St., Cork, Admission €4

Electro-folk duo Tenonsaw will shake up the Roundy (in a very nice way) this Sunday evening as they launch their new single ASKOF/Sweet Little Mystery. Trad band Torcán come in tow so it should be an interesting one.

If you’d like to submit a gig send the details to Alex at alex.millar980 [at] gmail . com with the subject line ‘Gig Guide’.