Jez, just when we thought we’d heard all the A-Z series has to offer, Ash go and and blow you away! Their new single, Embers is just savage. Guitars flaring, Ricks drums being beat to shit and what’s that? I believe that’s a very, very catchy chorus in an Ash song.
I know what you’re thinking, why would Irish legends Ash have a catchy chorus, well it seems toe boys have been given a gift for writing 26 songs for one release that put most bands to shame, a point we’ve exhausted over these reviews.
Don’t waste time here reading about it folks (nice advertisement for the site lads!!! – Ed), head on over to Ash-Official.com and hear it for yourself.
Well, well, well – it seems our old pals in Million Dollar Reload have been keeping very busy over the last few months with almost two albums worth of new material written and waiting to go! To give fans a sneak peak at their efforts, they’ve uploaded two new demos to their MySpace player and believe us; they’re well worth popping over for.
Bullet In The Sky is the lighter of the two with the sound leaning towards softer, American hair rock from the nineties. Not to discredit it though, if you’re looking for a pick me up track with a chorus so catchy you’d swear it’s medical, then this is your baby. Definitely one for the radio, the gals and the good times.
Pretty People follows and this time with more of an edge. Being Million Dollar Reload, they’re not going to drop the catchiness but everything else has been pumped up with dirt, grime, grittiness and sleaze. Vocals hit harder, riffs get heavier and there’s a frickin’ sweet guitar solo!
Tickets There was penned M$R down for ‘albums to buy’ and these shows are shoving their name higher on the list. Check their MySpace by clicking here.
Sacred Animals,Welcome Home EP is a hidden gem. This highly secretive band rarely play gigs and little is known of its members. However, since they dropped their debut EP earlier this year, it has spread like wild-fire around Dublin’s musical elite and record label interest if said to be fierce.
Welcome Home opens with Wired Islands a cross between The Eels and Radiohead it begins with an “E” style electric piano line soon joined by strings and a haunting vocal Thom Yorke would surly approve of “A rest will come, islands less inhabitants, with one eye on the prize, executed plans, pursued by passengers”
Chosen Seed is reminiscent of Virgin Suicides era Air a sparse arrangement of arpeggiated guitar, bongos, rim-shots, tambourine and mallets, build a tense sound scape allowing the vocals to wash over us “Are you scared of what you said Well you’re not the only one” is a truly dread filled refrain. While title track Welcome Home is built upon a bed of static and percussive sounds looped and long deep piano notes syncopated by a simple bell melody.
Sigur Ros’s influence looms large on the final track Still Removed. Once again the lyrics are dark full of self loathing, neurosis, and paranoia “What’s the point in boxing clever, All I see is all you are. It’s the flaws that make the man & you are an imperfect star”
The intelligent use of different instruments in short bursts throughout all of Sacred Animals songs set them apart from other bands as does the cryptic mindset of the lyrics Welcome Home is a post apocalypic triumph and better still its avaiable to download free from bandcamp.
Tickets There is delighted to announce that House of Dolls are releasing their new (from what can tell, untitled) EP on October 15th in Crawdaddy. Before that, the band have a select number of Irish and German tour dates to complete, full details below.
Sept. 23rd Arthur’s Day – MaCormacks,
Sept. 24th W/Cheap Freaks – Whelan’s
Oct. 1st 9036 – Berlin
Oct. 3rd White Trash – Berlin
Oct. 15th (EP Launch) – Crawdaddy
The brand spanking new line-up of legendary Irish rockers, Thin Lizzy have announced shows in Dublin and Belfast next February.
The band, now comprised of Scott Gorham, Vivian Campbell (Def Leppard), Brian Downey, Darren Wharton, Marco Mendoza and Almighty frontman, Ricky Warwick on vocals.
Tickets go on sale next Friday, the 27th and they’re priced between €33.60 and €38.60.
16th Feb: Belfast, Waterfront.
17th Feb: Dublin, Olympia Theatre.
Following Pavesi’s recent appearance at the King Kong Club in The Village We took it upon ourselves to check out their Myspace. so first things first lads get the web Dr. in your site is unreadable.
You could be listening to any sunkist american indie outfit untill Duck Gallagher starts to sing on East Side the influence of 80’s Irish rock such as Something Happens and the Four of Us is obvious while homage is also paid to Brian Adams and the 80’s soft rock ballad in general.Unfortunately they have failed to capture the energy of their live show in the studio Shake starts of with a guitar line somewhere inbetween “Summer of 69” and Nada Surf’s “Fruit Fly” untill Ducks vocals turn it into a Neil Diamond parody in places. We now know what a diamond cover of any of the songs from ColdplaysParachutes album would sound like.
Despite Ronan Hana’s obvious guitar talent there’s no getting away from the feeling that it close but no cigar for Pavesi the choruses fail to shine as bright as they do live its another case of a good live band failing to tame the studio.
The line-up for this years Temple House Music Festival in Sligo just keeps on growing. TH has announced the following additions the their lineup.
Preachers Son, Bipolar Empire, Majella Murphy, The Dub Doctor Sound System, The Curtain Thieves, Shouting At Planes, The Revolutionary Commandos Of The Third Secret Of Fatima, The Little Beauties, The Trampz, James Morrin, Styla Man, Karma Parking, TKO, The Danger Is and Lisa McLaughlin. (thanks HotPress)
This is on top of already announced acts The Undertones, The Wailers, The Stunning, Reef, Peter Hook (Joy Division / New Order), The Walls and many, many more.
There’s an early bird special on until August 15th with 25% of tickets. Three days camping for €59! Now how are ya gonna argue with that?
We didn’t head to the show and this morning sees regrets hanging in the air. All accounts confirm the show was incredible, despite all the new material and a few spins of The Wicker Man from the Rock In Rio Live Album has left an emptiness in our hearts, We’re sorry Maiden, next time we’ll be there! Reviews and Pics Posted Here (Metal Ireland Forum)
Iron Maiden, Dublin O2 – July 30th
1. The Wicker Man
2. Ghost Of The Navigator
3. Wrathchild
4. El Dorado
5. Dance Of Death
6. The Reincarnation Of Benjamin Breeg
7. These Colours Don’t Run
8. Blood Brothers
9. Wildest Dreams
10. No More Lies
11. Brave New World
12. Fear Of The Dark
13. Iron Maiden
Encore:
14. The Number of the Beast
15. Hallowed Be Thy Name
16. Running Free
If there’s one song in the second part of Ash’sA-Z series that’s well and truly worth getting excited about it’s their new single, Carnal Love. Here they are, five tracks from the end and they come out with one the best songs of the whole series.
The verse is nice, stripped back, non-invasive and full of highly suggestive sexual references and all round warped in love, fantasy and naughtiness. The chorus notches things up with guitars a go go, harmonies and vocal changes to immerse you in all things Ash.
As always it’s catchy, it’s perfect in structure and overly appealing to the ears. Check the video out below (still not sure if we like it) and hear it for yourself. Official comes out Monday.
This time next month folks, the mighty Axl Rose will be bringing the ferocious, legendary Guns N’ Roses to Irish shows for two massive shows in Belfast’s Odyssey Arena August 31st and Dublin’s Point Depot (or the O2 is you will) on Sept. 1st for two nights of blistering hard rock, ginormous ballads and displays of fine musical craftsmanship from each member of the band. It’s also been announced that Canadian rockers (hate that work in that context) Danko Jones will be providing support for both shows. No Sebastian Back unfortunately but these guys will rock the place.
Now, there’s alot of bickering about Axl and the new guys (incidentally, some of the members have been with the band since the early/late nineties…so they’re not that new) and it’s time everyone moved on. The majority of music press outlets have a vendetta against Axl because unlike Slash and Duff, Axl chooses not to talk to them and become their play thing. Also, many ‘old GN’R heads’ hate Chinese Democracy simply because Slash isn’t there and it’s not a carbon reproduction of Appetite for Destruction. Many forget that the old diehards complained just as much when the Use Your Illusions came out, but that’s neither here nor there.
Don’t be fooled folks, this right here is two incredible opportunities to see one of rock n’ rolls true heroes live in the flesh. Not only is he a legend, but he’s a legend at the top of his game as Chinese Democracy is one the greatest albums released in the last ten years, you just have to forget the old sound and appreciate it for what it is. When any other band tries a new direction these days they’re praised far and wide for being different but when a rock band does it, all hell breaks loose. Does Axl care? Not one fucking bit, the man does what ever the hell he likes and that’s why we love him. Finally there’s a rock n roll front-man in the 21st century who’s not afraid of criticism and attacks from former band members, fans, record companies, the industry or the press. He does what he likes, when he likes and if you don’t like it – Fuck Off!
Young bands, young fans stand up and take notice, this is rock n roll in bodily form. Go to these shows and see the man in real life, pay homage and respect because rock stars are no longer a dime a dozen and even if they were, Axl would still lead the pack.
Guns N Roses play Dublin’s O2 This day next month, September 1st – Tickets There will be there.
Taking Lives is the second single from Dublin’s Zombie Cops is a complete change in tact from the excellent debut Win Some Loose Some. The song builds slowly from a progish “Down On The Upside” era Soundgarden guitar intro underlayed by a “On a Rope” type rhythm figure.
The call and response vocals of Kevin Fagan and Jamie Hughes work well throughout the entire song. Its back to more familiar musical territory for the verse and choruses as Jimmy Eat World, Open Hand, and Incubus influences are once again apparent. With a touch of Editors guitar trickery the song slows before ending on a flourish with a recap of the main riff.
Zombie Cops launch Taking Lives in Whelan’s of Wexford St. Dublin on Friday 6th of August and are also appearing at Danny Byrnes Garden of Music Festival in Mullingar on Sunday 8th of August.
Zombie Cops are worth the admission fee alone for their excellent version of Don’t You Want Me Baby.
Co. Down rockers Ash have released the video for their latest A-Z song, Carnal Love this week in advance of the songs office release this Sunday. Intresting video, we’re not sure if we love or hate it.
Bandcamp may be taking over the reins of leading online musical display case for bands these days but the old social networking model isn’t over yet. MyTuneRox is the latest in online music networking and it’s all based right here in Ireland.
If you’ve used MySpace before you know the drill. Pics, friends, blogs and tunes. It’s aimed mostly at Irish bands from what we’ve gathered and there’s almost 200 bands already signed up.
The site kicks off officially launches next month but the beta version is up and running now. Even Tickets There has found time to throw a profile together…but for the life of us, we cannot figure out how to link to our home page so we’ll update the Follow Tickets There widget as soon as we do.
Check details of the sites Battle of The Bands @ Hotpress
That’s right folks, no more lines, no more frantic searching for a computer to see if we’ve updated our glorious music blog and more importantly, no more need to follow us on Facebook or Twitter if you’ve finally gotten sick of our non-stop Rambo/Whitesnake rants. You can now sit back and see our post updates from the comfort of your own InBox.
Simply click the Sign Me Up! button there on the right hand side and you’ll get mails from Tickets There every time we update a post. Don’t worry they’re automatic, so you won’t be relying on our lazy asses to do anything.
We hope to begin weekly newsletters, regular interviews and the odd competitions very soon so get in early before….well, doesn’t make much of a difference when you sign up but just do it already. You’ll make two north Dublin touts and a Leitrim raised Editor very chuffed indeed.
Its hard to believe that Goatboy emerged from the fumbling progish offerings of the Screaming Skies to become one of Ireland’s finest singer/songwriters.
Winter Tears is a fine ballad ephemeral, yet gusty. Akin to Arcade Fire and Bon Ivor. Mark O’Sullivan’s rich reverbed vocals resonate beautifully throughout all of his songs, especially so in New Moon where the intelligent mimicking of the harmony vocals by the piano, electric guitar, and strings, build to a very earthy sing-a-long chorus.
With For Your Love its as if James Taylor and Death Cab for Cutie have collaborated in the Bermuda Triangle the juxtaposition of pure country slide guitar led verses and uptempo alt rock guitar choruses shouldn’t work, but work they do.
Japanese City Nights is a fantastic Electro instrumental. The bass and Synth riffs play off each other beautifully and its also the standout track from Indiecator Records World Cup themed compilation “Fastforward”.
Goatboy plays Pick for the Picnic at Crawdaddy on the 22nd of July.
We finally picked up the courage to sit down and listen to Def Leppard lead singer, Joe Elliott’s new side project, The Down ‘N’ Outz. After hearing about this project several months ago, Tickets There has been eyeing it with our usual suspicion having never been massive MTH fans, but after several spins it appears things will have to change as The Down ‘n’ Outz début album, My ReGeneration is a serious piece of work.
The Down ‘N’ Outz, were originally formed for a performance with Mott The Hoople playing exclusively all things Mott. Along with Elliott, the band is comprised of Ronnie Garrity from Raw Glory, and Paul Guerin, Guy Griffin, and Keith Weir from The Quireboys. They generously gave the album free with last months Classic Rock and memories of Joe Perry’s recent solo disaster haunted Tickets There every time we saw the issue on the shelf. We couldn’t bare the thoughts of criticizing our life long hero Elliott and his new project, dedicated to the band he loves most in the world. Fortunately we don’t have to.
My Regeneration displays a fantastic collection of perfectly arranged, razor sharp and thoroughly enjoyable pop / rock out classics exploding with musical passion, energy and talent. The Down ‘N’ Outs sound fantastic together and they’ve given these tunes a good sanding down and varnishing making them exceptionally sleek although not letting them lose their raw, at times gritty blues postures.
Opening with the guitar, piano driven Golden Opportunity, the album bursts to life with a bang before the full on thundering catchy rampage of Storm drives it home, all in the first two tracks. Storm is a classic example of where Elliott and Def Leppard got their dramatic, memorable backing vocal power from. Overnight Angles brings things back a notch with some slicked back guitar heavy vibes before some solo driven chorus work gives the song a shredding character. Career (No Such Thing As Rock ‘N’ Roll) offers the the albums only ballad and it gives a great chance for Joe to display some of the finest vocal work we’ve heard in a long time. Just listen to that power during the chorus and you’ll hear it.
England Rocks from Ian Hunter’s 1977 solo album, Overnight Angles brings things back to a full on blitz of chaotically catchy rock fury. Shouting and Pointing again shows it’s impact on Leppard’s style with a slowed drum beat, rhythmic guitar bursts and a enough solos to call it a day. By Tonight brings more of an American sound in and, if we’re not mistaken there’s a hint of High ‘N’ Dry in the guitars before Who Do You Love brings in some good old fashioned heavy pounding drum, keyboard power into the sound with lashings of catchy guitar rock n roll. Final tracks One More Chance to Run and Good Times end the album in a blaze of fire, gusto and all round English produced, English made seventies rock n roll bravado.
This album is exceptional. Most cover albums aren’t worth spitting on but My ReGeneration is definitely one worth picking up, especially if you haven’t heard MTH before. The Down ‘N’ Outz have done an incredible job reworking these tracks and with any luck they’ll carry on the project for a long time to come. Maybe if you visit their Website and ask very nicely, they may consider a few originals further down the line.
Tickets There are proud to announce we just tracked down a copy of The Christmas E.P. (it was on CD all along, not vinyl :D). The years of searching are finished – we can now step back and enjoy a healthy social life!
Folks, if you’re ever wondering what record Tickets There wants more than anything in the world, it’s this baby right here…well, up there!
The Christmas EP from Turn. Came out in 2000 and has eluded us for the past eight years. Getting a little tired of searching for this but the struggle still continues. If anyone ever wants to sell the mighty TT a copy or exchange one for Beretta or Beeswax, please don’t be afraid to get in touch – ticketsthere@hotmail.com
This will be the first public GN’R show on American soil since the release of Chinese Democracy in 2008. We’re an Irish blog but we’re willing to bet American hopes of a tour are about to go through the roof.
Jez, just when we thought we’d heard all the A-Z series has to offer, Ash go and and blow you away! Their new single, Embers is just savage. Guitars flaring, Ricks drums being beat to shit and what’s that? I believe that’s a very, very catchy chorus in an Ash song.
'Ticket's There' - Irish and International Music Blog 