Bands shouldn’t be able to do so much in one year. Seriously, playing sold out gigs around the country, getting local and national radio coverage, establishing a large and loyal fanbase, getting featured on the telly and in local highly anticipated compilations, more gigs and tours in Glasgow, Edinburgh, London… oh and a sing-a-long with Gary “This Is The Biggest Gig We’ve Ever Done” Lightbody.

And in true rock & roll form, they might even get the shite kicked out of them as well - so to find time to record a tight, innovative, exciting new single Young Blood is pretty impressive.

The distinctive sound you would recognise from their live set is there, captured superbly by the boys at Start Together Studios and improved upon with some tight production and mixing. Also on the release will be Less In Control, I Don’t Want To Die and a Hello Translinks? remix.

So here’s a preview of Young Blood, with a short introduction from Luke.

And a few words with Stuart and Luke at the IMRO gig last week.

Panama Kings will be featured on the Oh Yeah Sessions Compilation, which is being launched at 2pm in HMV on 21st April. Also supporting The Undertones in the Mandela Hall (30 years of Good Vibrations) on 25th April - and finally a gig at the Stiff Kitten alongside Six Star Hotel and Mojo Fury on the 30th April.

The Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival has a pleasing habit of bringing some excellent acts in our direction each year - with Iron & Wine and Low being two of my recent favorites. Our wide grins shall continue, as A Hawk & A Hacksaw and Silver Jews are both part of this years festival lineup - alongside a whole host of comedy, theatre and arts.

A Hawk & A Hacksaw - In The River

Silver Jews - Suffering Jukebox

Given our modern age, you can buy your tickets from the 9th Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival website.

Mucho Danke managed to catch up with Holy Fuck before the fantastic Speakeasy gig last night. We chatted about the sound that they create, the evolution of the band, giant robots and sitting awkward at the top of the charts with Radiohead.

Holy Fuck Interview

Radiohead - Nude (Holy Fuck Remix)

To be released next month, a nice wee six-track 10-inch EP from Mount Eerie (Phil Elverum, The Microphones) called Black Wooden Ceiling Opening. I don’t know if I’m going to hear a better release this year, not one weak song and a refreshing departure from recent (dare i say boring) offerings. The only real shame is it isn’t a full length album.

Anyway, just listen to the tracks and make your own minds up.

Mount Eerie - Blue Light On The Floor

Mount Eerie - In Moonlight

And another one to add to an ever expanding list of upcoming gigs…

May 24 - Whelans, Dublin (with NO KIDS)