nialler9

This is the first in a continuing series of posts where I’ll be highlighting Irish bands and artists worth checking out on MySpace. Now that they have revised their terms and conditions clarifying user ownership of any content a user uploads, it’s OK for artists to put up their songs. With MySpace being so ubiquitous, I think it’s a great way of getting to what’s important about a band quickly - i.e - the tunes. So let’s begin….

Band on an Island are good friends of mine from my hometown in Newbridge, Co. Kildare consisting of singer/guitarist Ciaran Dwyer, lead guitarist Gavin Elsted, drummer Rob Mockler, bassist Andrew O’ Donnell and violinist Eimear Dempsey. As their MySpace says “formations began over word trade offs 8 Mile style, two chord exchanges, skating and camping trips”. Their lyrics are extremely honest, passionate and heartfelt while dealing with the everyday pains of growing up, living in a small town, dealing with eejits and authority. Combine those lyrics with brash rock ‘n’ roll instrumentation and you’ve got teenage anthems.

With the band showing a lot of promise of late with their live shows have become more energetic and raucous leading NME to take notice at the recent Psychofest 2 calling them “Clash-inspired punk deviants” which is completely inaccurate musically but they share the same no-bullshit spirit. The band are releasing a live 4 track DVD shot earlier in the year in the Riverbank Theatre in their hometown where they have an established fanbase. The tracks below are taken from the gig. ‘Don’t Ever Change’ is a positive call to self-assertiveness and standing your ground with an extremely catchy chorus, ‘Big Picture’ tears the roof off while Dublin buzz band Humanzi’s ‘Out On a Wire’ gets a roaring rendition.

Check out the band on MySpace , add them as a Friend and watch out for gigs from this promising young band.

MP3s

Band on an Island - Don’t ever Change

Band on an Island - Big Picture

Band on an Island - Out on a Wire (Humanzi Cover)

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