As an introduction for a Limerick band, the song ‘City Of Culture’ is an apt title. The city’s mantle got off to a shaky start but largely was perceived as a success by the end of 2014.
It’s hard to tell what side of the fence, Niall Clancy (vocals/bass), Aaron Duff (guitars) and Paul Cosgrave (drums), the three lads who make up the Limerick band Slow Riot stand, as the vocals are buried in the mix but “a sardonic paean to the cultural status” and the song’s raucous post-punk energy suggests it’s on the more negative side. It is good to hear a band react and reference the real things around them.
“Looking for a reaction,” Clancy sings as you can feel the band’s post-punk influences of Gang Of Four and Wire along with contemporary peers like Girl Band and Future Of The Left. The combination of currency and influence has a vitality on the track.
The single is out on July 10th via Straight Lines Are Fine. ‘City Of Culture’ appears on the band’s forthcoming Cathedral EP which was recorded in Manics’ Faster studio in Cardiff by producer Kevin Vanbergen.
https://soundcloud.com/slowriot-theband/coopers-dream-v3
Niall Byrne is the founder of the most-influential Irish music site Nialler9, where he has been writing about music since 2005 . He is the co-host of the Nialler9 Podcast and has written for the Irish Times, Irish Independent, Cara Magazine, Sunday Times, Totally Dublin, Red Bull and more. Niall is a DJ, founder of Lumo Club, club promoter, event curator and producer of gigs, listening parties & events in Dublin.
