When interviewed by the D some time last year about the beginnings of their band, the lads from Slugbait reckoned they wanted to do something for the ladies, landing slots at the Brog and generally be on the path to megatons of currency. Whether or not Terriers is Seb and Mini (as well as Fat Actress’ James and Cian) finally setting about that is up for debate, but ultimately irrelevant. What there is no debate over is that this is a fantastic EP in its own right and a real left-hook from the city’s resident harbingers of heavy, a sunny dose of emo-inflected indie with loving tips of the wink to their metal roots.

The Good News kicks things off, all sparkly picking before kicking into dirty guitar tones ahoy and riffage everywhere, taking its time about getting into Seb’s vox, which turns out to be a constant, songs being given time to breathe and develop before the axe comes down. Such is also the case with EP highlight I Beat Him Before and I’ll Beat Him Again, a lovely exercise in tropical, almost Enemies-esque math rock that gives way to a simple but absolutely monstrous hook. What else is clearly on display here is Seb’s chops on guitar, not giving way to exhibitionism, but complementing the song fiercely somewhere between melodic restatement and flair for improvisation. The pace picks up slightly with Crossover, rhythmic and a real mover, an indicator of the lads’ developing pop chops. Bonus track Get Over Here, a demo recorded with Chris Somers (ex-Terror Pop) is a hidden gem, alternating between twin-guitar metal machismo and a bizarre yet sublime Bloc Party-esque coda.

It may not be the commercial leviathan its title would suggest, but then with the sense of humour on display throughout (“you can’t trust a bitch, ’cause bitches ain’t shit” opines Seb at the end of The Good News), as much should be obvious to all. Imbued with the lads’ trademark shitehawkery, but displaying a very real genius for pop, and the balance between new influences and old, this is an absolute treat. Get in.

I’ve done a few of these, and I can never decide what my ALL TIME FAVES are so I’ll just throw up what my 5 most listened to songs this week are. Not even this week, more like in the last 2 days.

Minus The Bear – Michio’s Death Drive

I was up in Plugd about 2 weeks ago, was a Saturday I think. Early enough, that’s irrelevant really. I get a very itchy pair of balls on me when I’m freshly showered for some reason, only for like, an hour or so, anyway, I was trying to deal with that as discreetly as possible. Think Jimmy Plugd was possibly on to me, if he was he didn’t mention it but he did seem on edge, like maybe he expected me to whip ‘em out and show the tasty little pink haired one in there some chunky O’Callaghan nuts. He didn’t say anything about the ball scratching anyway. He’s a good lad like that.

I spotted this CD in the secondhand section and remembered a drunk conversation I had with someone about Botch where this band was mentioned, I knew there was some link but I couldn’t remember for the life of me what it was. Auld handsome Jim looked it up on Wikipedia for me because he seemed slightly annoyed at the one sided conversation I was having at the counter that mostly consisted of me asking myself what the Botch connection was and then repeatedly answering myself incorrectly, he informed me that they had the same guitarist. That was enough for me, I casually threw a tenner at him and with a sigh of relief at the thought of me leaving the shop, tossed back a 2 euro coin. For the record we neither threw nor tossed money but I thought it made this long winded and pointless paragraph slightly more interesting. In hindsight it didn’t. This is a good song anyway and a great album.

Listener – Falling in Love with Glaciers

As most of you have (don’t tell me you cunts had his shit on tape in the 80s, ya’ll can fuck off) I first heard Dan Smith from Listener in that verse of David De La Hoz by The Chariot on Long Live. I actually hated that verse for ages and then after a while it became one of my favourite parts of the album so I looked up more of his stuff on Youtube, it’s all pretty sweet but this is my favourite of his tunes. I know Seb ordered their album in through Plugd ages ago and it hasn’t arrived yet because of the rioting there a while back. I keep asking the lads if it’s in in the hope of buying it before Seb has a chance to, I felt bad about that for a while but he robbed a beore off me 2 weeks ago and put pieces of himself inside of her so I owe him some form of revenge I guess. One day I’ll own this album, maybe I’ll start wearing skinny jeans and caring about the environment and eating veg and stuff too. The future is a scary place.

Every Time I Die – The Low Road Has No Exit

A band I’m in called Fat Actress are supporting Every Time I Die in October. I’m not name dropping, well, I am but there’s a point to this. When we found out that the gig was confirmed we went out celebrating, even though we weren’t allowed tell anyone for another fortnight. We had a a load of beer and then a good few White Russians in Freds, I think it later curdled in our stomachs, at least mine anyway because I puked my absolute ring up the next day. We kept the gig really quiet all night, towards the end the only remaining Fatties out were myself and Cian and we headed to the Brog. By now we were completely mangled and telling any cunt who’d listen that we were supporting these yanks but the Brog regulars having never heard anything but Florence And The Machine and System Of A Down didn’t give even half of 1 shit. I dunno was it the white russians, the overwhelming happiness or the fact that neither of us thought anyone understood the pureness of our love for ETID and more importantly eachother but we celebrated the only way we knew how, with a manky, stubbly, tongue filled score in the Brog smoking area. In hindsight maybe that’s why I puked, the shame. Not because I kissed a man but because he’s taller than me. I usually have a strict 5 foot 5 cut off. I could have picked any song off this album, they’re all unreal and I listen to the whole thing through every time I lob it on. Such a sweet album.

At the Drive-in- 198d

I picked Vaya up second hand there recently, I didn’t realise it even existed. Almost every song is a cracker, this is my favourite off it though. I can’t explain why or anything, it’s real soft like and I usually prefer their more upbeat stuff. I can’t stop listening to it though. Keep just throwing on the CD, skipping to this song and then repeating it a few times and ejecting it. ALL OVER MYSELF! OMGLOLZ!

The cans are taking over so I better wrap this up quickly.

ELK – Blessed Are The Meek

I’m very much looking forward to the Elk album, it’s no secret. I’d go as far as saying I’ve never looked forward to an Irish release so much. I’ve always really liked this song live but since I started reading Preacher there recently I can’t help but remember funny/badass shit from it every time I hear the song and it puts a big shit eating grin on my face and I think that’s what music is meant to do, how’s things? Also this live video has a lot of creepy stares and protruding nipples, which is very important to me.

If you’re still reading this you’re a bigger mog than me for writing it.

Announced last week here on the D when we streamed their new demo tracks, Cork noise/doom lads Iweriu are playing Fredz this Saturday night as part of Drop-d’s monthly night there.

Add one more to the bill. Screamo chancers Slugbait will join performance artist Vacuumface upstairs, while us lot will be picking tunes downstairs. Yes!

This Saturday at Fredz. Free/pay what you want.

Iweriu (Demo Launch), with Slugbait, Vacuumface & Drop-d DJs.

Cork heaviosity pushers The Key and the Gate have another gem in store for us following Diet Pills‘ return to Cork last month.

Dutch grinders FUBAR make their Leeside debut on Saturday 25th at Fred Zeppelin’s, touring in advance of the release of their upcoming full-length album in May, and are joined by screamo boys Slugbait, hot off supporting I’ll Eat Your Face last week at Fredz and in advance of a split release with Stanton’s Grave, alongside Dublin crust supergroup Twisted Mass, comprised of members of Refraction, Abaddon Incarnate, Division’s Ruin, On Pain of Death and more.

It’s another engagement in the recent revival of Fred Zeppelin’s following a lull in bookings last year. Good job, too, as the sound upstairs has markedly improved and bookers like The Key and the Gate and Very Short Men will ensure 2012 will be a banner year for the city centre’s rock pub.

Fred Zeppelin’s, Saturday 25th. 6 euro in before 10pm, 7 after.

FUBAR (NL) + Slugbait + Twisted Mass.

New promotions company Very Short Men (featuring members of the Face and Slugbait) kicks into existence this Friday with a massive show at the seemingly renaissant Fred Zeppelin’s.

Brootalising a small space for the first time since the launch of latest LP Hot Brains Terror, the Face return to an old haunt to headline the show. Them Martyrs make a return to live action before the release of their fourth EP (on vinyl… shiny) and have, apparently, material prepared for their fifth. This ought to be savage.

Screamo chancers Slugbait return also, having last put in the effort at the now-deceased Realt Dearg, and Stanton’s Grave are along for the ride too, playing material from the two bands’ upcoming split cassette release.

Friday night, Fred Zeppelins, 5 beans. 

I’ll Eat Your Face/Them Martyrs/Slugbait/Stantons Grave Freds Feb17th.

If this line-up doesn’t tighten yer slacks, nothing will.

The double-piston grinding assault of I’ll Eat Your Face returns to Cork on the 17th, with erstwhile Galway hardcores Them Martyrs, Cork screamo chancers Slugbait and punks Stanton’s Grave in tow. Good times.

I’ll Eat Your Face are celebrating a 2011 that saw Hot Brains Terror released to a handsome reception, and full houses for the launch-time gigs in the Pavilion, Cork and the Siege of Limerick, as well as numerous appearances on Dublin metal/hardcore bills. This year promises lots more opportunities for escape-velocity beering, with a new E.P. and physical release for Hot Brains Terror on the way.

Them Martyrs have had a quiet one, going on hiatus owing to members of the band pursuing college and the like, after the release of third EP French Extremity. That’ll all change with the release on vinyl of their fourth extended-player, coming this year. Slugbait and Stanton’s Grave, meanwhile, have a split tape coming out shortly, and are gearing up for touring and other such shenanigans.

February 17th @ Fred Zeppelin’s.

I’ll Eat Your Face/Them Martyrs/Slugbait/Stantons Grave Freds Feb17th.

One last plug for this:

9:15: Time is a Thief (fund:it campaigning for new album We’re Not Strangers)

10:10: Slugbait (probably never allowed into the Crane Lane again)

10:45: Former Monarchs (just back from UK Tour as documented on the D)

All in a pay-what-you-want show! Doors, 8.30 @ The Crane Lane Theatre, Phoenix St.

Drop-d: Cork Rock City Vol. 2 LAUNCH GIG @ Crane Lane.

Well, this cheers us right out of the Monday blues.

Agitate the Gravel and Slugbait, two of the best bands we have in this country, much less this town, share a free bill on the 27th of October in the Realt Dearg at 9ish.

The ATG lads have been quiet of late, following some massively exhausting gigging off the back of debut single Wilderness Years, but have recently shown back up, supporting Minutemen legend Mike Watt at his recent Pine Lodge gig this Friday.

Slugbait have been tearing it up lately too, with Dublin and Cork gigs in support of Turning Down Sex and Silent Front respectively, as well as unleashing recorded debut FDR on their Bandcamp.

Get responding at the Facebook event below! Free in, Thursday week.

Slugbait W/ Agitate the Gravel FREE GIG.

It’s back. After the success of last year’s Cork Rock City compilation, including appearances on the Irish Independent, AU Magazine, 96FM and all over the Irish music blogosphere, Cork Rock City returns with Vol.2.

It’s no secret by now that without question, Cork’s music scene is the healthiest it’s ever been. The Jazz Festival, Folk Festival, Avant Festival, Indiependence, Cork By Southwest, Rhythm Fest and their counterparts are each major events that attract gig-goers and revellers from all over the world and play host to legends, up-and-comers and superstars. Venues like Cyprus Avenue, The Pavilion, The Crane Lane, Fred Zeppelin’s, An Realt Dearg & The Roundy play host every night to Cork music of all genres, while in our practice spaces and garages, a savage, urgent new wave of young bands formulates their plan to make their mark like Rory and the Sultans and the Franks before them. Meanwhile, we play host to the country’s greatest record shop in the seemingly-immortal PLUGD Records, the longest-running alternative club night in Ireland with Freakscene, and our instrument shops, like Crowley’s resound with local music history, while producers like Grammy Award nominee Ciaran O’Shea and electro sensation Toby Kaar call the Leeside town their home. There’s no other place, really, that Drop-d and blogs like Skirmish and The G-Man would rather have based themselves.

Cork Rock City Vol.2 endeavours to document and showcase definitively the unprecedented level of activity in Cork music, from established hands like Hope is Noise, and [r]evolution of a Sun, to feral new prospects like Slugbait, Fat Actress, Former Monarchs and Agitate the Gravel, from the chaotic “supergrind” of full-time chancers I’ll Eat Your Face to the lunatic fringe of drone, improv and electronica that fosters the brilliant likes of Narwhals, Ellll, and Takeshi and the Kid, and everything inbetween. This city’s breadth and depth of native (and adoptive) musical talent will be explored and showcased like it deserves, and will prove, once again, that this town can easily beat anywhere else in the world, never mind Ireland, to the best tunes.

Cork Rock City Vol.2 releases on Tuesday November 1st at 10am from Drop-d.ie‘s brand new Bandcamp page (to be unveiled that morning) as a completely free download as a full album, or as pick ‘n’ mix single downloads, with a number of extras including video, a guide to Cork music and festivals, and the return of a popular feature of last year’s comp, interchangeable covers, including designs from Cork graphic design heads like Execute and Ricky Sweeney.

The official launch gig will take place at the Crane Lane Theatre, Phoenix Street on Friday night November 4th at 9pm, with Former Monarchs, Slugbait and more to be confirmed and Crane Lane DJs ’til the wee hours. Free gig, too, so no excuses.

Cork Rock City Vol.2 goes on release from Drop-d.ie on Tuesday November 1st @ 10AM as a download on our new Bandcamp page. You can listen to a sampler E.P. of tunes in the widget below. Submissions are still welcome, with the deadline now extended to Monday October 24th. All musical, artistic, video and written submissions considered, contact us here for more info.

Drop-d: Cork Rock City Vol.2 (Preview) by Drop-D.ie

This will be unreal. Cork screamo/etc. jettisoners of tops Slugbait have posted the first track of their new split E.P. up on their minty-fresh new Bandcamp.

The lads, who made an impression earlier this year with a savage interview for this very organ and a white-hot string of live appearances, will release their half of a split release later this year. New track FDR is a sweet, minor-key exploration, brimming with gang vocals and massive singalongs and sets the tone for a record that should faithfully capture the spirit of their raw-as-fuck live show.

Stream the track in the widget below, then consult with the doctors of bro at Fredz this Wednesday at Fredz with Silent Front.

Slugbait.