F1ach: As regards media attention, well, from a heritage of the likes of Rory Gallagher, Thin Lizzy and even U2, now all that seems to be coming out of Ireland is feckin boybands like Westlife, Boyzone, One Direction (yeah, thanks for that Louis >.<), Its great to see the media turn to something worthwhile here for a change :)
Sachys: Yeah, I get ya on that - been too long since the likes of Kerbdog!
I have quite a lot of Irish friends (used to be a small "community" here about 10 years ago) and they all said the same thing - that they found the structure of Ireland creatively stifing (in terms of getting from A to B for a show and the likes), yet at the same time I dealt with a Belfast clothing label who found it the opposite (Apache-Tribe).
What's your take on that angle? - I mean, do you think that has an effect at all (or maybe its changed now)?
Jesus Kerbdog! Thats a blast from the past and well worth a "where are they now" video :)
As regards the infrastructure, well we have a few motorways and most towns have by-passes now, so travel isn't as onerous as it was back in say Kerbdogs time, for example, Strypes are from Cavan, which is actually noted for its bad roads and is in the arsehole of nowhere demographically and geographically for music, It would be a predominantly "irish country music" (an epithet well worth a serious puking session) area.
While Cavan is in a bit of a hole musically, the Strypes were lucky enough to have parents who all played music, and their kids grew up jamming together from a very young age, they were lucky enough a few years ago to get a spot on a programme called The Late Late Show, specifically on the "toy show" edition, which airs just before xmas and has a HUGE audience, with a perfect mix of parents and kids, and nearly a perfect demographic for the band to hit, between that and some serious local and foreign gigging, they are making a niche for themselves.
I have had friends in Beatles tribute bands (and quite good ones) who never seemed to capture an audience outside of the pub rock circuit, but these guys just happened to hit the right place at the right time I guess. When you play The John Peel tent in Glastonbury at 16, its a pretty cool achievement, I hope they get to go on to bigger and better things myself :)
Sachys: I'll have to check the rest later then when pootube stops being crap!
Yeah its been a bit annoying for me today too, try to check out the Glastonbury full gig, the end song (rolling and tumbling?) is pretty cool when you consider their age :)
