Nero are possibly the busiest band in Enniscorthy, Wexford. With over 30 gigs lined up in the same town this year, they either have a lot of friends to play too or a relative on the licensing committee. A three piece in the style of Arctic Monkeys, Dirty Pretty Things or Babyshambles they have a rather good vocalist and songwriter in Barry Murphy and they have posted up some tracks that push all the indie buttons and while big on idea are rather let down in execution . Timings and tunings slide in and out and the songs meander around well meant ideas. There's a good band in there fighting to get out and maybe with the extensive tour of Enniscorthy in the pipeline t he songs will take shape into something worthy of their potential.
Whilst thumbing through shed-loads of material provided by unsigned bands and performers, one rule of thumb (among several) is that if your songs are any good, they will transcend such minor details as how they are recorded. If they are plain simple demos, recorded in your bedroom or you have spent the budget of a third world country thrown at the production at your local "enourmo-studio" and mixed by Mutt Lange, it won't detract from a good song. Point in question is the demos from Noisepilots. They are indeed some pretty (technically)rough demos, but the quality of the band and their songs shine through like a diamond in a coal seam. I would happily listen to them exactly as they are. The background chat and rougher edges just lend more charm to the songs. If a label got hold of them who knows how much more they could shine.
Playing driving, gravelly indie rock tunes such as 'Lipstick Lover', 'The blitz' and 'Novacain' will give you vibes of a live Queens Of The Stone Age or the dirty guitar rock of The Pixies with the addition of the tight hookyness of The Foo Fighters but without actually trying to *be* any of them. You can almost hear the hum of the amps and feel the sweat on the walls. But despite currently, these being 'just demos' there is uber-tight vocal harmonies humour, integrity and some great catchy, riff n roll rock tunes in everything they do. Luckily, I have seen Noisepilots perform, and I know that their brand of rock translates fantastically well to a live audience with their honest, straight-ahead, 'one of the lads' approach which is scooping up fans at an alarming rate.
I'm looking forward to hearing what happens next for Noisepilots, which we hope, should be good things for a cracking little rock band. Just don't lose the dirt.
At first glance, and by now the prospect of another folk/rock singer/songwriter from Ireland could easily pass me by, but Nick Carswell is anything but run-of-the-mill. I am listening to his demos that he's made with a string section (who go by the moniker 'The Elective Orchestra'). Even more reason for this rock aficionado and hard bitten reviewer to cringe?... wrong. The combination is sublime. Nick is a first class songwriter and interprets each and every song with soul, feeling and passion. The addition of emotive strings and piano only magnifies the overall experience and makes these demos something a bit special. Imagine if you will a modern, emotional spin on a song like Eleanor Rigby ('To all the small people') or Penny Lane ('Oceanview') such is the depth of style that Nick effortlessly summons up.
If these are only demos I can't wait to hear the finished article. Wonderful, heart-achingly good songs
A superb voice that has a edge over the rest, this is a artist that can really express her vocals with excellent songs like "I DONT WANNA KNOW"and "SO CONFUSED" .
I DONT WANNA KNOW - This is a real catchy number with a good groove to it, vocals sound excellent with real passion in them, very well produced and the lyrics are great too.
SO CONFUSED - This tune has got a real 80,s feel with a modern r&b groove vocal has a hard edge with excellent tones great voice.
Live at the Aras Chronain Clondalkin dublin 02/05/07
Nigel made a very professional intro on to the stage and kicked off with his tune " Sad songs" a nice upbeat tune with some great vocal ability and with a country folk feel with a twist of irish trad, Nigel's next tune was "Bitter twist" a jazzy feel from this song with some moody vocals Nigel performed this song very well on the night,Nigel played other songs off his ep "Broadcast to anyone who'll listen" like "Lost dalliance" with its poetic lyrics and flowing rythem gutair and "The last resort" overall Nigel played a great gig on the night with his blend of folk blues and fantastic vocals.
